A1 verb 8 دقيقة للقراءة

уходить

to leave by foot

At the A1 level, уходить is one of the essential 'verbs of motion' that you learn to describe your daily routine. It is primarily used in the present tense to say things like 'I am leaving' (Я ухожу) or 'He is leaving' (Он уходит). At this stage, you focus on the physical act of walking away from a place. You learn that it requires the preposition 'из' with the Genitive case for buildings (like 'из школы' - from school) and 'с' with the Genitive for events (like 'с урока' - from the lesson). You also learn the basic conjugation, especially the tricky 'я ухожу' where the 'д' changes to 'ж'. It is a 'building block' word that helps you explain where you are going and what you are doing. You will mostly use it to talk about leaving home, work, or school. It is important to distinguish it from 'идти' (to go) because уходить specifically means you are departing from a place you were previously at. For an A1 student, mastering the present tense forms is the priority. You should also understand that it is used for actions that are happening right now or happen regularly. Simple sentences like 'Я ухожу домой' (I am going home) are perfect examples of A1 usage. You don't need to worry about the complex metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on the physical movement of leaving a room or a building on foot. This verb is the key to describing the end of any activity in your day.
At the A2 level, you begin to use уходить in the past tense and in more varied contexts. You learn that 'я уходил' describes a process or a repeated action in the past, such as 'I used to leave work at five'. You also start to see the verb in social contexts, like 'уходить в гости' (though usually 'идти в гости' is used for the destination, уходить is used when you are leaving the hosts). You'll encounter the imperative 'не уходи' (don't leave), which is common in songs and movies. A2 students should be comfortable with the difference between уходить and 'уезжать' (to leave by vehicle). You might also start using it for simple abstract concepts, like 'уходить на перерыв' (to go on a break). The grammar becomes slightly more complex as you ensure the Genitive case endings are correct for all nouns following the verb. You also learn that уходить is the imperfective partner to 'уйти'. While A1 was about 'I am leaving', A2 is about 'I was leaving when the phone rang' (Я уходил, когда зазвонил телефон). This level also introduces the use of 'от' + Genitive when leaving a person, such as 'уходить от врача' (leaving the doctor's office/the doctor). You are building a more nuanced picture of how movement is described in Russian, moving beyond simple statements to more descriptive narratives about your day and your interactions with others.
By B1, you are expected to use уходить with confidence in all tenses and understand its aspectual nuances deeply. You start to use it in more professional and formal settings, such as 'уходить в отпуск' (going on vacation) or 'уходить с должности' (leaving a position/resigning). You begin to recognize and use common collocations and idioms. For example, you might say 'время уходит' (time is running out) or 'уходить от темы' (to get off-topic). Your understanding of the verb expands to include movement that isn't just people walking, but also things like water receding or the sun setting. You'll also encounter the verb in more complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses and participles. B1 is where you really start to feel the difference between the process-oriented уходить and the result-oriented 'уйти'. You might describe a long, drawn-out departure using the imperfective to emphasize the emotion or the duration of the act. You are also more aware of the stylistic differences between уходить and its synonyms like 'покидать' or 'отлучаться'. You can explain why you chose one over the other. Your vocabulary is now rich enough to use уходить in debates, storytelling, and professional emails. You understand that 'уходить от ответственности' (to dodge responsibility) is a powerful figurative expression that uses the physical concept of 'walking away' to describe a moral or social action.
At the B2 level, your use of уходить becomes much more idiomatic and precise. You are comfortable with expressions like 'уходить в себя' (to withdraw into oneself) or 'уходить корнями в прошлое' (to have roots in the past). You understand the subtle difference between 'уходить' and 'выходить' in professional contexts (e.g., exiting a market vs. leaving a company). You can use the verb to describe complex physical phenomena, like 'уходить под воду' (to go underwater/sink) or 'уходить в песок' (to vanish into the sand/come to nothing). Your grammatical control is near-perfect, and you can manipulate the aspect of the verb to change the focus of your sentence for rhetorical effect. You might use the imperfective уходить in a narrative to create suspense or to describe a scene vividly. You also start to catch the verb in fast-paced native speech, even when it's used in slang or highly colloquial ways. For instance, you understand when 'уходить' is used to describe a car's performance or a person's health in a metaphorical sense. You are also able to use the verb in the conditional mood or in complex passive constructions if needed, though they are rarer for this specific verb. Your ability to distinguish between 'уходить от ответа' (avoiding an answer) and 'уходить от погони' (escaping a pursuit) shows a high level of linguistic competence. You are now using the verb not just as a tool for communication, but as a way to express subtle shades of meaning and intention.
At the C1 level, уходить is used with the sophistication of a native speaker. You are familiar with its use in classical and modern literature, where it often carries deep symbolic weight. You understand the nuances of 'уходить в историю' (to go down in history) or 'уходить в небытие' (to fade into oblivion). You can appreciate the poetic use of the verb in lyrics and prose, where it might describe the fading of youth, the end of an era, or the literal and metaphorical 'leaving' that comes with death. Your understanding of the verb's etymology and its relationship to other 'ход' roots is deep, allowing you to see the connections between 'уходить', 'проходить', 'заходить', and others. You can use уходить in academic or high-level professional discussions about sociology, history, or philosophy. For example, discussing how 'традиции уходят в прошлое' (traditions are becoming a thing of the past). You are also sensitive to the register of the verb, knowing exactly when to use it versus a more formal alternative like 'аннулироваться' or 'прекращаться' in a legal or technical context. Your speech is fluid, and you use the verb in complex idiomatic structures without hesitation. You can also identify and use the verb in regional dialects or older forms of Russian if you encounter them. At this level, уходить is no longer a 'vocabulary word' but a flexible instrument you use to paint detailed and nuanced pictures of the world.
At the C2 level, your mastery of уходить is absolute. You can use it to express the most subtle philosophical concepts, such as the 'уходящая натура' (a passing era or a disappearing type of person/thing). You understand the cultural and historical resonance of the verb in the context of Russian history—for example, the 'уход' of Leo Tolstoy. You can navigate the most complex wordplay involving the verb, such as in poetry or sophisticated humor. You are aware of how the verb functions in specialized fields like architecture (e.g., how a building's lines 'уходят' into the sky) or geology. Your use of the verb is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, incorporating all its metaphorical, idiomatic, and stylistic possibilities. You can provide detailed explanations of why уходить is used in a specific literary passage to convey a sense of transience or inevitability. You are also capable of creating your own metaphors using the verb, grounded in a deep understanding of its semantic core. For you, уходить is a word that encapsulates the human experience of time, loss, and movement. Whether you are writing a doctoral thesis or engaging in a deep philosophical debate, you use this verb with precision, elegance, and a full awareness of its linguistic heritage. You are the master of the 'away-going' and all the emotional and physical weight that the Russian language attaches to it.
The Russian verb уходить is a fundamental pillar of basic communication, primarily meaning 'to leave' or 'to go away' specifically by foot. In the vast landscape of Russian verbs of motion, уходить is the imperfective partner to the perfective уйти. Understanding its usage requires a grasp of both physical movement and metaphorical transitions. Historically, the word is built from the prefix 'у-', which denotes movement away from a point, and the base verb 'ходить', which implies multidirectional or habitual walking. When you use уходить, you are often focusing on the process of leaving or the fact that the action happens regularly. For instance, if you leave work at five every day, you use this verb because it is a habit.
Physical Departure
This is the most common use. It implies the subject is physically moving their legs to exit a room, a building, or a specific geographic location. If you are at a party and decide it is time to head out, you would tell your host that you are leaving. It is important to note that if you were leaving by car or bus, a different verb like 'уезжать' would be required. The specificity of Russian verbs of motion makes уходить strictly pedestrian in its literal sense.

Я обычно ухожу из офиса ровно в шесть вечера, чтобы успеть на прогулку.

Abstract Transitions
Beyond physical movement, this verb is used when leaving a job, a relationship, or even a state of mind. When someone resigns, they 'уходят с работы'. This doesn't mean they are literally walking out the door at that exact second, but rather that they are in the process of terminating their employment. Similarly, it can describe time slipping away or water draining. The versatility of the verb allows it to cover any scenario where something is moving away from its current status or position.

Он решил уходить из политики после долгих лет службы своей стране.

Grammatical Context
The verb is typically followed by the preposition 'из' (from) plus the Genitive case for buildings, or 'с' (from) plus the Genitive case for events or open spaces. For example, 'из дома' (from home) versus 'с работы' (from work). Mastering these pairings is essential for natural-sounding Russian. In the present tense, the 'д' in the root changes to 'ж' in the first person singular: 'я ухожу'. This is a common consonant mutation in Russian second-conjugation verbs that students must memorize early on.

Почему ты всегда уходишь так рано, когда мы только начали веселиться?

Вода медленно уходила после сильного наводнения в прошлом месяце.

Время уходит, а мы всё ещё не приняли окончательное решение по этому вопросу.

Using уходить correctly involves understanding its aspectual nature as an imperfective verb. This means it is used for ongoing actions, habitual actions, or the intention to perform an action in the immediate future. When you say 'я ухожу', you are either in the middle of the act of leaving or you are about to start. This differs from the perfective 'уйти', which focuses on the completed result of having left.
Habitual Actions
When describing a routine, уходить is the only choice. Phrases like 'каждый день' (every day) or 'обычно' (usually) signal this usage. For example, 'Он обычно уходит из школы в три часа'. Here, the speaker is describing a recurring event. This is a common area where students confuse the aspect, trying to use the perfective form for a routine, which is grammatically incorrect in Russian.

Студенты всегда уходят из библиотеки очень поздно перед экзаменами.

The Process of Leaving
If you are currently putting on your coat and saying goodbye, you are in the process of уходить. This is the 'present continuous' equivalent in English. 'Подожди, я уже ухожу!' (Wait, I'm already leaving!). This use highlights the transition from being present to being absent. It is also used to describe slow departures, such as the sun setting or a season ending, where the transition is gradual and visible.

Она медленно уходила по аллее, не оборачиваясь назад.

Negative Imperatives and Intentions
When telling someone not to leave, the imperfective 'не уходи' is used. This is because negative commands in Russian typically use the imperfective aspect to prohibit the action altogether. Additionally, in the future tense, 'я буду уходить' is rare; instead, the present tense 'я ухожу' is frequently used for planned future departures, or the perfective 'я уйду' is used for a single future completion.

Пожалуйста, не уходи, нам нужно ещё многое обсудить сегодня.

Летом солнце уходит за горизонт гораздо позже, чем зимой.

Мой отец уходил на фронт, когда ему было всего девятнадцать лет.

The word уходить echoes through every corridor of Russian life. In a bustling Moscow metro station, you might hear a recorded voice warning that a train is leaving, though for vehicles, 'уходить' is often used colloquially to mean the departure from the platform. In a domestic setting, it is the standard word for saying 'I'm off' or 'I'm leaving for the store'.
In the Workplace
In professional environments, you'll hear this when people discuss their shifts or resignations. 'Кто последний уходит, тот выключает свет' (Whoever leaves last, turns off the light) is a classic office phrase. It is also used when someone is 'уходить в отпуск' (going on vacation) or 'уходить на пенсию' (retiring). These are standard administrative and social markers in Russian corporate culture.

Наш главный бухгалтер уходит в декретный отпуск со следующей недели.

In Literature and Cinema
Russian drama is famous for its poignant departures. Characters in Chekhov or Tolstoy often 'уходят'—sometimes from a room, sometimes from a life of luxury, sometimes from their own past. In movies, a dramatic 'Я ухожу!' (I'm leaving!) often signals the climax of a romantic conflict. It carries a weight of finality when used in the present tense to signal a life-changing decision.

В финальной сцене герой просто уходит в туман, оставляя все вопросы без ответов.

Daily Social Interactions
You will hear this verb in every social gathering. When a guest starts looking for their keys, someone might ask, 'Ты уже уходишь?' (Are you leaving already?). It is a polite way to acknowledge someone's departure. In shops, you might hear 'Деньги уходят как вода' (Money goes like water), a common idiom expressing how quickly funds are spent on necessities.

Я не люблю уходить из гостей, не поблагодарив хозяйку за вкусный ужин.

Корабль медленно уходил от берега, пока не превратился в маленькую точку.

Поезд уходит через пять минут, нам нужно срочно бежать на платформу!

Learning уходить presents several pitfalls for English speakers, primarily due to the Russian system of verbs of motion and aspect. The most frequent error is confusing 'уходить' (imperfective) with 'уйти' (perfective). English simply uses 'to leave', but Russian demands you choose between the process/habit and the completed result.
Aspect Confusion
If you say 'Я ушел из дома в восемь' (I left home at eight), you are stating a completed fact. If you say 'Я уходил из дома в восемь', you are either describing a habit or saying you were in the middle of leaving when something else happened. Beginners often use the imperfective уходить when they should use the perfective to report a simple past event. Remember: for a one-time completed action, use 'уйти'.

Ошибка: Я уходил вчера в пять. (Incorrect for a single event). Правильно: Я ушёл вчера в пять.

Transport Confusion
Another major mistake is using уходить when you are driving or flying. If you are leaving Moscow for London by plane, you must use 'улетать'. If you are driving away, use 'уезжать'. Using уходить in these contexts sounds like you are walking across the ocean or the highway. The only exception is for scheduled transport like trains or ships, which can 'уходить' from a station or port.

Ошибка: Мы уходим в Лондон на самолёте. Правильно: Мы улетаем в Лондон.

Preposition Errors
Students often use the wrong preposition with уходить. They might say 'уходить от дома' when they mean 'leaving the house' (should be 'из дома'). 'От' implies moving away from the vicinity of something, while 'из' implies exiting the interior. Also, confusing 'с' and 'из' is common. Remember: 'из магазина' (from the store) but 'с урока' (from the lesson).

Важно: Не путайте уходить (to leave) и выходить (to exit/step out for a moment).

Когда вы уходите от проблемы, она обычно следует за вами, пока вы её не решите.

Многие новички забывают, что уходить — это несовершенный вид глагола.

Russian is rich with verbs that describe the act of leaving, each with a specific nuance that уходить might not capture. Understanding these alternatives will make your Russian much more precise and expressive.
Уходить vs. Выходить
While уходить means to leave a place entirely, 'выходить' means to step out or exit, often with the implication of returning soon or just crossing a threshold. If you say 'я выхожу из комнаты', you are just exiting the room. If you say 'я ухожу из дома', you are leaving the house to go somewhere else. 'Выходить' is also used for getting off public transport.

Он уходит из компании навсегда, но сейчас он просто вышел покурить.

Уходить vs. Покидать
'Покидать' is a more formal and often more emotional version of 'to leave' or 'to abandon'. You 'покидаешь' your homeland, a sinking ship, or a loved one. уходить is the everyday, neutral word. Use 'покидать' in literature, formal speeches, or when you want to emphasize the gravity of the departure. It doesn't specify the mode of transport (foot vs. car) as strictly as 'уходить' does.

Артист уходит со сцены под аплодисменты, покидая своих верных поклонников.

Уходить vs. Уезжать
As mentioned before, this is the most critical distinction for learners. 'Уезжать' is the imperfective for leaving by vehicle. If there's a set of wheels involved, 'уходить' is technically wrong, even though Russians sometimes use it loosely for trains. To be safe and correct, always use 'уезжать' if you aren't on your own two feet. This includes bikes, cars, buses, and trains.

Завтра мои друзья уходят в поход, а я уезжаю в командировку в Питер.

Когда туман уходит, мы наконец можем увидеть вершины гор вдали.

Вместо того чтобы уходить от ответа, лучше честно признать свою ошибку.

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Я ухожу из дома в восемь утра.

I leave home at eight in the morning.

Present tense, 1st person singular. Note the 'д' to 'ж' change.

2

Ты уже уходишь?

Are you leaving already?

Present tense question, 2nd person singular.

3

Она уходит из школы в три часа.

She leaves school at three o'clock.

Habitual action in the present tense.

4

Мы уходим из парка сейчас.

We are leaving the park now.

Present continuous meaning in Russian.

5

Вы уходите слишком рано.

You are leaving too early.

Plural present tense.

6

Они уходят из ресторана.

They are leaving the restaurant.

3rd person plural.

7

Мама уходит на работу.

Mom is leaving for work.

Use of 'на' + Accusative for destination with 'уходить'.

8

Папа уходит в магазин.

Dad is leaving for the store.

Use of 'в' + Accusative for destination.

1

Вчера я уходил из офиса очень поздно.

Yesterday I was leaving the office very late.

Past tense, imperfective aspect, emphasizing the process or habit.

2

Пожалуйста, не уходи так быстро!

Please, don't leave so fast!

Negative imperative using the imperfective aspect.

3

Когда мы были маленькими, мы уходили гулять на весь день.

When we were little, we used to go out for the whole day.

Habitual past action.

4

Он часто уходит от ответа на мои вопросы.

He often avoids answering my questions.

Metaphorical use: 'leaving from the answer'.

5

Автобус уходит через пять минут.

The bus leaves in five minutes.

Present tense used for scheduled future events.

6

Она уходила из комнаты, когда я вошёл.

She was leaving the room when I entered.

Past continuous action interrupted by another action.

7

Мой дедушка уходит на пенсию в следующем месяце.

My grandfather is retiring next month.

Standard phrase for retiring.

8

Почему ты уходишь от меня?

Why are you leaving me?

Use of 'от' + Genitive for leaving a person.

1

Время уходит, а мы ещё ничего не решили.

Time is slipping away, and we haven't decided anything yet.

Metaphorical use for time passing.

2

Я ухожу в отпуск на две недели в июле.

I am going on vacation for two weeks in July.

Standard phrase 'уходить в отпуск'.

3

Вода медленно уходила из затопленного подвала.

The water was slowly receding from the flooded basement.

Used for liquids receding.

4

Он решил уходить из политики из-за скандала.

He decided to leave politics because of the scandal.

Infinitive use with a modal verb.

5

Каждый вечер солнце уходит за горизонт.

Every evening the sun goes behind the horizon.

Describing a natural phenomenon.

6

Не стоит уходить от темы нашего разговора.

It's not worth getting off the topic of our conversation.

Abstract use: avoiding a topic.

7

Спектакль был скучным, и люди начали уходить.

The play was boring, and people started leaving.

Process of multiple people leaving.

8

Мы уходили всё дальше в лес, пока не заблудились.

We were going further and further into the forest until we got lost.

Emphasizing the distance and process.

1

Он часто уходит в себя и ни с кем не разговаривает.

He often withdraws into himself and talks to no one.

Idiom: 'уходить в себя' (to withdraw).

2

Земля уходила из-под ног от такой новости.

The ground was slipping from under my feet from such news.

Idiom for being shocked or overwhelmed.

3

Эта традиция постепенно уходит в прошлое.

This tradition is gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Abstract use for time and history.

4

Корабль медленно уходил на дно.

The ship was slowly sinking (going to the bottom).

Describing a slow disaster.

5

Все его усилия уходили в песок.

All his efforts were coming to nothing (going into the sand).

Idiom for wasted effort.

6

Деньги уходили на лекарства и врачей.

The money was being spent on medicines and doctors.

Metaphorical use for expenditure.

7

Он мастерски уходил от погони на узких улицах.

He masterfully escaped the pursuit in the narrow streets.

Context of escape/evasion.

8

Душа уходит в пятки при виде этого монстра.

One's heart sinks into one's boots at the sight of this monster.

Idiom for extreme fear.

1

Старая эпоха уходит, уступая место новым технологиям.

The old era is passing, giving way to new technologies.

Hig

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟
لا توجد تعليقات بعد. كن أول من يشارك أفكاره!