B1 verb 9 دقیقه مطالعه

воевать

To engage in a war

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'воевать' means 'to fight' in a big way, like a war. It is related to the word 'война' (war). You might see it in simple history sentences like 'Они воевали' (They fought). The most important thing to remember is the conjugation: 'я воюю' (I fight) and 'они воюют' (they fight). Don't worry about the complex prepositions yet; just know that it describes a serious conflict. It is a verb that shows action happening over a long time. You can think of it as the 'big version' of fighting, unlike 'драться' which is what children might do. At this stage, just recognize the word when you see it in texts about history or news. It is a regular -овать verb in its pattern, which you will see in other words like 'рисовать' (to draw). Even if you don't use it yourself, knowing it helps you understand many Russian stories.
At the A2 level, you should start using 'воевать' with simple prepositions. The most common is 'воевать с...' (to fight with/against...). For example, 'Он воевал с врагами' (He fought with enemies). Notice that 'с' here means 'against.' You can also use it for things that are not real wars, like 'воевать с погодой' (to fight with the weather). You should be comfortable conjugating it in the present and past tense. Past tense is easy: 'воевал, воевала, воевали.' Present tense is 'воюю, воюешь, воюет, воюем, воюете, воюют.' Remember that this verb is imperfective, so it's about the process of fighting. If you want to talk about a war that happened in the past, this is the word you use. You might also hear the noun 'воин' (warrior) or 'война' (war) which are in the same family. Try to use it in sentences about history or when you are struggling with a difficult task.
At the B1 level, you should understand the metaphorical uses of 'воевать.' It's not just for soldiers anymore. You can 'воевать' with your computer, with the government, or with your own bad habits. You should also learn the preposition 'за' + Accusative to say what you are fighting for: 'воевать за свободу' (to fight for freedom). You should be able to distinguish 'воевать' from 'сражаться' (which is more for a specific battle) and 'драться' (which is a physical fight). This level requires you to understand the aspectual pairs and related verbs. While 'воевать' is imperfective, you might encounter 'повоевать' (to fight for a little while). You will often see this word in Russian literature and news. It's a key word for discussing social issues and historical events in more detail. You should also be aware of the noun 'военачальник' (military commander). Start using the word to describe long-term efforts or struggles in your life or in the world.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'воевать' in complex sentences and understand its nuances in political and social discourse. You'll recognize it in idioms like 'воевать с ветряными мельницами' (to tilt at windmills/fight imaginary enemies). You should understand the difference between 'воевать с кем-то' and 'воевать против кого-то'—the latter is more formal and emphasizes the opposition. You should also be familiar with the perfective forms like 'отвоевать' (to win something back by fighting) and 'завоевать' (to conquer). These prefixes change the meaning significantly. At this level, you can use 'воевать' to describe abstract concepts like 'воевать с инфляцией' or 'воевать за права человека.' Your conjugation should be flawless, and you should be able to use the word in the conditional mood ('если бы мы не воевали...') and in various participial forms ('воюющая страна' - a warring country). You understand that 'воевать' implies a persistent, often difficult, state of conflict.
At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic weight of 'воевать.' It carries historical baggage and can evoke strong emotions. You'll find it in high-level academic texts about military strategy and in poetic literature. You should be able to discuss the etymology (related to 'вой' - a howl or cry) and how that reflects the ancient roots of the word. You should also be comfortable with rare or archaic forms and related words like 'воинственный' (belligerent/warlike). At this level, you can use the word to analyze complex social dynamics, such as 'воевать на два фронта' (fighting on two fronts) in both a literal and metaphorical sense. You can distinguish the subtle difference between 'воевать' and 'враждовать' (to be in a state of enmity), where 'воевать' is the active manifestation of that enmity. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's register—using it for a broken toaster is a deliberate choice of hyperbole, while using it for a geopolitical conflict is standard.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'воевать' and all its creative and historical applications. You can use it to deconstruct Russian national identity, which is often tied to the history of 'воевавшие предки' (ancestors who fought). You understand how the verb functions in the passive and middle voices in literary contexts. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of human conflict—whether humans are destined to 'воевать' forever. You are familiar with obscure idioms and can invent your own metaphors using the root 'во-'. You can navigate the most complex grammatical structures involving the verb, such as 'не воевавшему не понять' (he who hasn't fought won't understand). You also understand the legal and formal implications of the term in international treaties and declarations of war. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it's a tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to convey everything from deep historical respect to sharp political irony.

воевать در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • A versatile verb meaning 'to wage war' or 'to fight' in a broad sense.
  • Used for literal military combat and metaphorical daily struggles.
  • Follows the -овать/-ую conjugation pattern (я воюю, ты воюешь).
  • Governs 'с' (against/with) and 'за' (for) prepositions.

The Russian verb воевать (voye-vat') is a central pillar of the Russian vocabulary when discussing conflict, history, and even personal struggles. At its most literal level, it means 'to wage war' or 'to be at war.' It describes the state of being engaged in military operations against an enemy. However, its usage extends far beyond the battlefield. In everyday Russian, you will hear people using воевать to describe any protracted struggle, whether it is against a stubborn bureaucracy, a malfunctioning computer, or even difficult neighbors. It carries a connotation of persistence and ongoing effort, as it is an imperfective verb focusing on the process rather than a single completed action.

Military Context
Used to describe nations or armies in a state of conflict. It often appears with the preposition 'с' (with/against) or 'против' (against).
Metaphorical Conflict
Used to describe fighting against abstract concepts like poverty, injustice, or even personal habits. 'Воевать с ленью' means to fight against laziness.

Мой дедушка воевал на фронте пять лет. (My grandfather fought at the front for five years.)

Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing its aspectual nature. As an imperfective verb, воевать emphasizes the duration. If you want to say someone 'fought for a while and then stopped,' you might use the perfective повоевать. If you mean 'to win back through fighting,' you use отвоевать. This verb is also intrinsically tied to the noun война (war), sharing the same root. In Russian culture, which has been deeply shaped by historical conflicts, this word carries significant emotional weight. It is not used lightly in formal contexts, yet it is used very creatively in informal speech to express frustration with difficult tasks.

Они всю жизнь воевали за свои права. (They fought for their rights all their lives.)

Register
The word is neutral and can be used in academic history books, news broadcasts, and casual kitchen conversations.

Historically, the word evokes the Great Patriotic War (WWII), and many idioms surrounding 'воевать' stem from that era. However, in a modern office, a programmer might say 'Я весь день воевал с этим кодом' (I've been fighting with this code all day), showing its versatility. It implies a struggle where the opponent (even if inanimate) is being particularly difficult or resistant.

Хватит воевать с ветряными мельницами! (Stop tilting at windmills! / Stop fighting imaginary enemies!)

Mastering воевать involves understanding the cases it governs. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object in the accusative case without a preposition. Instead, it relies on prepositions to define the relationship between the fighter and the opponent or the cause.

С + Instrumental (Against/With)
This is the most common construction. 'Воевать с врагом' (To fight with/against the enemy). Note that 'с' here means opposition, not cooperation, though context usually clarifies.
За + Accusative (For/In favor of)
Used when discussing the goal of the fight. 'Воевать за свободу' (To fight for freedom).
Против + Genitive (Against)
A more formal or emphatic way to say 'against.' 'Воевать против агрессии' (To fight against aggression).

Мы не хотим воевать с нашими соседями. (We do not want to fight with our neighbors.)

When conjugating воевать, remember the shift from '-ова-' to '-у-'. This is a common feature of many Russian verbs ending in -овать (like рисовать -> рисую). In the past tense, it remains regular: воевал, воевала, воевали. In the imperative, it becomes 'воюй' (singular) and 'воюйте' (plural), though these are rarely used as commands in civilian life unless speaking metaphorically about a struggle.

Они уже три года воюют в этой пустыне. (They have been fighting in this desert for three years already.)

In terms of sentence placement, воевать usually follows the subject and precedes the prepositional phrase. Because Russian word order is flexible, you can move it for emphasis, but the standard SVO (Subject-Verb-Object/Prepositional Phrase) is most common. For example, 'Армия воюет' (The army fights) is a complete thought.

Трудно воевать на два фронта. (It is hard to fight on two fronts.)

Common Adverbs
Храбро (bravely), долго (long), успешно (successfully), безуспешно (unsuccessfully).

In a metaphorical sense, the verb is often used with 'с собой' (with oneself) to describe inner conflict. 'Воевать с самим собой' (to fight with oneself) is a common trope in Russian literature and psychology. It describes the process of trying to overcome one's own desires or weaknesses.

The word воевать is ubiquitous in Russian culture. You will encounter it in several distinct spheres of life, each giving the word a slightly different flavor. Understanding these contexts will help you interpret the speaker's intent and level of seriousness.

News and Media
In reports on international conflicts, 'воевать' is the standard term. You will hear phrases like 'стороны продолжают воевать' (the sides continue to fight). It is used to describe geopolitical tensions and active combat zones.
History and Education
Russian history is often taught through the lens of its major wars. Students learn about who fought ('кто воевал') against whom and for what reasons. It is a respectful term when applied to veterans (ветераны, которые воевали).

В новостях сказали, что эти страны воюют уже десятилетие. (The news said these countries have been fighting for a decade already.)

In literature and cinema, воевать is a foundational verb. From Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' (Война и мир) to modern films about the Soviet-Afghan war, the verb is used to explore the human condition under duress. It often contrasts the 'small person' against the 'large machine' of war. When a character says 'Я не хочу воевать,' it usually signals a moral or existential crisis.

— Ты опять воюешь с этой духовкой? — Да, она никак не включается! (— Are you fighting with that oven again? — Yes, it just won't turn on!)

The Domestic Sphere
This is where the word becomes humorous or hyperbolic. Russians use it to describe fighting with a jammed door, a difficult child who won't eat, or a complex tax form. It implies that the task has become a personal battle of wills.

In political discourse, the word is used for 'wars' on social issues. 'Воевать с коррупцией' (to fight corruption) or 'воевать с бедностью' (to fight poverty). In these cases, it functions similarly to the English 'to wage a war on...', suggesting a massive, organized, and difficult effort.

Политики обещали воевать с инфляцией всеми средствами. (The politicians promised to fight inflation by all means.)

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using воевать due to its conjugation and the subtle differences between it and other 'fighting' verbs. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Russian sound much more natural and precise.

The 'Drawing' Mistake (Conjugation)
Many students try to conjugate it as 'воеваю, воеваешь.' This is incorrect. Like 'рисовать' (to draw) becomes 'рисую,' 'воевать' becomes 'воюю, воюешь, воюет.' Remember: -овать- drops and becomes -у-.
Воевать vs. Драться
Don't use 'воевать' for a physical fistfight or a playground scuffle. That is 'драться.' 'Воевать' implies a state of war or a long-term struggle. You 'дерёшься' with a bully, but you 'воюешь' against an invading army.
Воевать vs. Бороться
'Бороться' is 'to struggle' or 'to wrestle.' While they can sometimes be used interchangeably in metaphorical contexts (e.g., fighting for rights), 'бороться' is more common for sports (wrestling) or internal struggles with feelings.

Incorrect: Я воеваю с этим заданием.
Correct: Я воюю с этим заданием. (I am fighting with this assignment.)

Another common error is getting the preposition wrong. English speakers often want to use 'против' (against) for everything. While 'воевать против' is correct, Russian speakers use 'воевать с' much more frequently when the opponent is a person or a specific entity. 'С' in this context doesn't mean 'together with' (unless specified by context, like 'воевать с союзниками' - to fight with allies), but rather 'in conflict with.'

Incorrect: Мы воевали этот город.
Correct: Мы воевали за этот город. (We fought for this city.)
Note: 'Воевать' cannot take a direct object.

Finally, avoid using 'воевать' for simple arguments. If you had a 5-minute verbal spat with your spouse, 'поссориться' (to have a quarrel) is the right word. If you have been in a state of constant conflict for weeks, then 'воевать' becomes appropriate. It's all about scale and duration.

Russian has a rich vocabulary for conflict. Choosing the right alternative to воевать depends on whether you are talking about a physical battle, a moral struggle, or a competitive sport. Here is a breakdown of the most common synonyms and how they differ.

Сражаться (Srazhat'sya)
This is more formal and often used for specific battles (сражения). It has a more heroic or noble connotation. You 'сражаетесь' for honor or in a specific historical battle like the Battle of Borodino.
Бороться (Borot'sya)
Focuses on the struggle or the 'wrestling' aspect. It is the preferred word for political movements (бороться за мир) or internal psychological struggles.
Биться (Bit'sya)
Means 'to beat' or 'to strike.' In a conflict sense, it suggests a desperate or very physical fight. 'Биться до последнего' (To fight to the last drop of blood).

Солдаты сражались отважно. (The soldiers fought/battled bravely.)

When comparing воевать and конфликтовать, the latter is much more clinical and modern. Конфликтовать is used for workplace disagreements or interpersonal friction that hasn't reached the 'war' stage. If two departments in a company are 'воевать,' it's a serious, long-term feud. If they are 'конфликтовать,' it might just be a difference of opinion on a project.

Они перестали воевать и начали переговоры. (They stopped fighting and began negotiations.)

For sports, use 'соревноваться' (to compete) or 'играть против' (to play against). Using 'воевать' in sports would sound like you are taking the game way too seriously, though a sports commentator might use it metaphorically to describe a very intense match.

Summary Table
  • Воевать: General, long-term war/struggle.
  • Сражаться: Specific battle, heroic tone.
  • Драться: Physical fight, scuffle.
  • Бороться: Struggle for a cause, wrestling.

چقدر رسمی است؟

رسمی

"Государство обязано воевать с организованной преступностью."

خنثی

"Они воевали в течение десяти лет."

غیر رسمی

"Я опять воюю с этим старым чайником."

Child friendly

"В сказке рыцари воюют со злыми драконами."

عامیانه

"Мы с ним постоянно воюем из-за пустяков."

نکته جالب

The root 'вой-' is ancient and is linked to the sound of a war cry or howling (вой). In ancient times, warriors would howl to intimidate enemies.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /vəjɪˈvatʲ/
US /vəjɪˈvat/
On the last syllable: воевАть.
هم‌قافیه با
рисовать (to draw) танцевать (to dance) целовать (to kiss) ночевать (to spend the night) диктовать (to dictate) горевать (to grieve) пировать (to feast) врачевать (to heal)
خطاهای رایج
  • Stressing the first syllable (вОевать) - incorrect.
  • Pronouncing it as 'vov-at' - forgetting the 'ye' sound.
  • Not softening the final 't'.
  • Confusing the conjugation 'воюю' with 'воеваю'.
  • Over-emphasizing the unstressed 'o'.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 3/5

Easy to recognize due to common root 'вой-'.

نوشتن 6/5

Conjugation shift (-овать to -ую) can be tricky for beginners.

صحبت کردن 5/5

Requires correct stress on the final syllable.

گوش دادن 4/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with other -овать verbs.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

война солдат враг мир хотеть

بعداً یاد بگیرید

сражаться побеждать защищать нападать оружие

پیشرفته

милитаризм экспансия капитуляция перемирие фортификация

گرامر لازم

Verbs in -овать/-евать change to -ую/-юю in present tense.

воевать -> воюю

Imperfective aspect focuses on the process of the action.

Они долго воевали.

Preposition 'с' requires the Instrumental case.

воевать с врагом (враг -> врагом)

Preposition 'за' for goal requires the Accusative case.

воевать за свободу (свобода -> свободу)

Preposition 'против' requires the Genitive case.

воевать против агрессии (агрессия -> агрессии)

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

Они воюют.

They are fighting (in a war).

3rd person plural, present tense.

2

Кто воевал?

Who fought?

Past tense, masculine singular.

3

Я не хочу воевать.

I don't want to fight.

Infinitive after 'хочу'.

4

Мой дедушка воевал.

My grandfather fought.

Past tense, masculine.

5

Мы воюем за мир.

We fight for peace.

Use of 'за' + Accusative.

6

Ты воюешь?

Are you fighting?

2nd person singular, present tense.

7

Она воевала долго.

She fought for a long time.

Past tense, feminine.

8

Страны воюют.

Countries are at war.

Plural subject and verb.

1

Солдаты воюют с врагом.

The soldiers are fighting the enemy.

'С' + Instrumental case.

2

Мы воюем за нашу землю.

We are fighting for our land.

'За' + Accusative case.

3

Он воевал в армии.

He fought in the army.

Prepositional phrase 'в армии'.

4

Зачем они воюют?

Why are they fighting?

Question word 'зачем'.

5

Я воюю с этим компьютером.

I am fighting with this computer.

Metaphorical use.

6

Они воевали пять лет.

They fought for five years.

Accusative of time duration.

7

Вы воюете против нас?

Are you fighting against us?

'Против' + Genitive case.

8

Она воюет за свои права.

She is fighting for her rights.

Metaphorical/Social use.

1

Трудно воевать на два фронта.

It is hard to fight on two fronts.

Idiomatic expression.

2

Они воюют за независимость своей страны.

They are fighting for their country's independence.

Abstract goal.

3

Хватит воевать со мной!

Stop fighting with me!

Imperative meaning 'stop' using 'хватит' + infinitive.

4

Многие воевали, но не все вернулись.

Many fought, but not all returned.

Ellipsis (noun omitted).

5

Армия воюет успешно.

The army is fighting successfully.

Adverbial modifier.

6

Мы воюем с бедностью в нашем городе.

We are fighting poverty in our city.

Social struggle.

7

Он воюет с самого начала войны.

He has been fighting since the very beginning of the war.

'С самого начала' + Genitive.

8

Почему ты воюешь с этой дверью?

Why are you fighting with this door?

Hyperbolic/Humorous use.

1

Страна воюет уже несколько десятилетий.

The country has been at war for several decades.

Duration with 'уже'.

2

Он воюет против системы.

He is fighting against the system.

Political metaphor.

3

Они воюют за влияние в регионе.

They are fighting for influence in the region.

Geopolitical context.

4

Нам не нужно воевать друг с другом.

We don't need to fight with each other.

Reciprocal pronoun 'друг с другом'.

5

Он воюет со своей ленью каждый день.

He fights his laziness every day.

Internal struggle.

6

Они воевали, пока не закончились ресурсы.

They fought until the resources ran out.

Conjunction 'пока не'.

7

Генерал не хотел воевать зимой.

The general did not want to fight in winter.

Temporal adverb 'зимой'.

8

Вы воюете не за те идеалы.

You are fighting for the wrong ideals.

Negative 'не' before 'за'.

1

Народ воюет за право определять своё будущее.

The people are fighting for the right to determine their own future.

Complex object 'право определять'.

2

Он воюет с ветряными мельницами, не замечая реальности.

He is tilting at windmills, not noticing reality.

Idiom 'воевать с ветряными мельницами'.

3

Нельзя воевать бесконечно.

One cannot fight indefinitely.

Impersonal construction with 'нельзя'.

4

Всю жизнь он воевал с несправедливостью.

All his life he fought against injustice.

Abstract instrumental object.

5

Они воюют не столько оружием, сколько словами.

They fight not so much with weapons as with words.

Comparative structure 'не столько... сколько'.

6

Воюющие стороны согласились на перемирие.

The warring parties agreed to a truce.

Present active participle 'воюющие'.

7

Он воевал на стороне повстанцев.

He fought on the side of the rebels.

Phrase 'на стороне' + Genitive.

8

Идеи воюют в умах людей.

Ideas fight in the minds of people.

Metaphorical personification.

1

Человечество воюет с самой своей природой.

Humanity is at war with its very nature.

Philosophical usage.

2

Он воевал, движимый лишь чувством долга.

He fought, driven only by a sense of duty.

Passive participle 'движимый'.

3

Воевать за мир — это всё равно что пить за трезвость.

Fighting for peace is like drinking to sobriety.

Ironical comparison.

4

Они воюют в правовом поле, используя каждый параграф закона.

They are fighting in the legal field, using every paragraph of the law.

Metaphorical 'правовое поле'.

5

Старик всё ещё воевал со своими воспоминаниями.

The old man was still fighting with his memories.

Psychological metaphor.

6

Воевать — значит признать бессилие дипломатии.

To fight means to admit the impotence of diplomacy.

Infinitive as subject.

7

Он воевал не жалея сил и жизни.

He fought without sparing strength or life.

Adverbial participle 'не жалея'.

8

Мир воюет сам с собой в бесконечном цикле насилия.

The world is at war with itself in an endless cycle of violence.

Reflexive 'сам с собой'.

ترکیب‌های رایج

воевать на фронте
воевать за свободу
воевать с врагом
воевать против всех
воевать с тенью
воевать успешно
воевать до конца
воевать за идею
воевать на два фронта
воевать с собой

عبارات رایج

воевать не числом, а умением

воевать с ветряными мельницами

воевать за место под солнцем

воевать на словах

воевать в открытую

воевать чужими руками

воевать до победного конца

воевать не на жизнь, а на смерть

воевать с переменным успехом

воевать по правилам

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

воевать vs драться

Physical brawl/fight vs. organized war/struggle.

воевать vs бороться

Wrestling/struggle vs. waging war.

воевать vs сражаться

Specific battle/noble fight vs. general state of war.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"Воевать с ветряными мельницами"

To engage in a futile or delusional struggle against imaginary foes.

Он пытается изменить систему в одиночку, но он просто воюет с ветряными мельницами.

Literary/Common

"Воевать на два фронта"

To deal with two difficult situations or enemies at the same time.

Мне приходится воевать на два фронта: и дома, и на работе проблемы.

Neutral

"Воевать за правое дело"

To fight for a just cause.

Мы верим, что воюем за правое дело.

High

"Один в поле не воин"

One person alone cannot win a battle (related to the root).

Тебе нужна помощь, ведь один в поле не воин.

Proverb

"Воевать не числом, а умением"

Skill is more important than the size of the army.

Наш проект маленький, но мы будем воевать не числом, а умением.

Historical

"Воевать за место под солнцем"

To struggle for survival or success in a competitive environment.

В этом бизнесе все воюют за место под солнцем.

Journalistic

"Воевать чужими руками"

To achieve one's goals by letting others take the risks.

Он хитрый стратег и всегда воюет чужими руками.

Critical

"Воевать с самим собой"

To struggle with one's own character, desires, or conscience.

Иногда труднее всего воевать с самим собой.

Psychological

"Воевать до последнего патрона"

To fight to the very end, until all resources are gone.

Они защищали крепость и воевали до последнего патрона.

Military/Metaphorical

"Воевать на пустом месте"

To start a conflict where there is no real reason for it.

Зачем ты воюешь на пустом месте? Нет никакого повода для ссоры.

Informal

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

воевать vs воевать

General term for fighting in a war.

'Воевать' is the process of being at war. It is broader than 'сражаться'.

Они воевали четыре года.

воевать vs сражаться

Often translated as 'to fight'.

'Сражаться' is more heroic and often refers to a specific battle (сражение).

Он сражался в Бородинской битве.

воевать vs биться

Means to fight/beat.

'Биться' is more intense, desperate, or physical.

Они бились за каждую пядь земли.

воевать vs драться

The basic word for 'to fight'.

'Драться' usually means a physical fight between individuals (fistfight).

Дети дерутся из-за игрушки.

воевать vs бороться

Used for struggles.

'Бороться' is used for social movements, sports (wrestling), or internal feelings.

Мы боремся за мир.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

A1

[Subject] [Verb].

Мы воюем.

A2

[Subject] воюет с [Instrumental].

Он воюет с ленью.

B1

[Subject] воюет за [Accusative].

Они воюют за правду.

B2

[Subject] воюет против [Genitive].

Народ воюет против тирана.

C1

Воюя с [Instrumental], [Subject] [Verb].

Воюя с трудностями, он стал сильнее.

C1

[Subject] воюет на стороне [Genitive].

Италия воевала на стороне Антанты.

C2

[Subject] воюет не [Instrumental], а [Instrumental].

Мы воюем не силой, а умом.

C2

Если бы не [Subject] воевал, то [Result].

Если бы он не воевал за нас, мы бы проиграли.

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

فعل‌ها

صفت‌ها

مرتبط

نحوه استفاده

frequency

Very common in both speech and writing.

اشتباهات رایج
  • Я воеваю. Я воюю.

    The suffix -овать- changes to -у- in the present tense.

  • Они воевали врага. Они воевали с врагом.

    The verb is intransitive and requires a preposition.

  • Мы воюем за свободе. Мы воюем за свободу.

    The preposition 'за' requires the Accusative case, not Prepositional.

  • Он воевал с кулаками. Он дрался на кулаках.

    'Воевать' is for war; 'драться' is for physical fighting.

  • Вчера мы воевали мир. Вчера мы завоевали мир.

    To achieve a result (conquer), you need the perfective 'завоевать'.

نکات

Conjugation Rule

Remember the -овать -> -ую shift. It's the same as 'рисовать' or 'танцевать'.

Metaphorical use

Don't be afraid to use it for daily struggles; it makes you sound more expressive.

Related words

Learn 'война' and 'воин' at the same time to anchor the root.

Respect the context

Be mindful of the historical weight the word carries in Russia.

Preposition 'С'

Remember that 'с' + Instrumental usually means 'against' with this verb.

Preposition 'За'

Use 'за' + Accusative to state your purpose or goal.

Stress

Focus on the end of the word; the stress never moves to the first syllable.

No Direct Object

Never put a noun directly after 'воевать' without a preposition.

Hyperbole

Use it to complain about a difficult exam or a stuck lid on a jar.

vs. Бороться

Use 'воевать' for more aggressive or external struggles, 'бороться' for internal or social ones.

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Imagine a soldier named 'VOYA' (Voyager) who is 'VAT'-ing (hitting) things. VOYA-VAT. He is fighting.

تداعی تصویری

Visualize a giant 'W' (for War) made of soldiers. The 'W' is moving forward—this is the process of воевать.

شبکه واژگان

война воин воюю воевал завоевать фронт враг победа

چالش

Try to use 'воевать' in three different contexts today: once for history, once for a social issue, and once for a broken object.

ریشه کلمه

From Old East Slavic воевати (vojevati), from Proto-Slavic *vojevati. It is related to the noun *vojь (warrior).

معنای اصلی: To lead an army or to act as a warrior.

Indo-European -> Balto-Slavic -> Slavic -> East Slavic -> Russian.

بافت فرهنگی

Be cautious when using 'воевать' in political discussions involving current conflicts, as the word carries heavy emotional and nationalistic weight.

English speakers often use 'to fight' for both 'воевать' and 'драться'. In Russian, you must be careful to distinguish between a war/struggle and a physical brawl.

'Война и мир' (War and Peace) by Leo Tolstoy. Victory Day speeches by Russian leaders. Soviet war cinema like 'They Fought for Their Country' (Они сражались за Родину - note the synonym).

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Military History

  • воевать на фронте
  • воевать за родину
  • воевать против захватчиков
  • воевать в окопах

Social/Political Struggle

  • воевать за права
  • воевать с коррупцией
  • воевать против системы
  • воевать за независимость

Everyday Frustration

  • воевать с компьютером
  • воевать с соседями
  • воевать с замком
  • воевать с сорняками

Internal Conflict

  • воевать с собой
  • воевать со страхом
  • воевать с ленью
  • воевать с совестью

Literature/Metaphor

  • воевать с ветряными мельницами
  • воевать на словах
  • воевать до последнего
  • воевать за идеалы

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"Как вы думаете, почему люди продолжают воевать в 21 веке?"

"Ваши предки воевали во Второй мировой войне?"

"Вы когда-нибудь воевали с какой-нибудь сложной программой на компьютере?"

"Трудно ли воевать за свои убеждения, если все против вас?"

"С чем чаще всего приходится воевать современному человеку в повседневной жизни?"

موضوعات نگارش

Опишите ситуацию, когда вам пришлось воевать с самим собой, чтобы принять сложное решение.

Если бы вы были историком, о какой войне вы бы хотели написать? Кто там воевал и за что?

Напишите о случае, когда вы долго воевали с каким-то техническим устройством. Кто победил?

Как вы понимаете фразу 'воевать за мир'? Не кажется ли вам это противоречием?

Представьте, что вы воюете против несправедливости. Какие методы вы бы использовали?

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Usually, yes. 'Воевать с врагом' means against the enemy. However, context can change it to 'together with', like 'воевать с союзниками' (to fight with allies).

No, that is a common mistake. The correct form is 'я воюю'. The -овать suffix changes to -у- in the present tense.

No, it is very common to use it metaphorically for any difficult struggle, like fighting with a computer or a law.

There are several depending on meaning: 'повоевать' (to fight for a while), 'отвоевать' (to win back), 'завоевать' (to conquer).

No, it is intransitive. You must use a preposition like 'за' or 'против'.

You say 'воевать за свободу'. 'За' takes the accusative case.

It is neutral. It is used in both formal history books and very informal casual conversations.

'Воевать' is the verb (to wage war), and 'война' is the noun (war).

Only metaphorically to describe a very intense match. Usually, 'играть' or 'соревноваться' is better.

You use the participle: 'воюющие стороны'.

خودت رو بسنج 200 سوال

writing

Write a sentence using 'воевать' in the past tense about a historical event.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using 'воевать' metaphorically about a daily problem.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using 'воевать за' and a goal.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Conjugate 'воевать' for all persons in the present tense.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'My grandfather fought in the Great Patriotic War.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Use the idiom 'воевать на два фронта' in a sentence.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a question asking someone why they are fighting with their friend.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence with the negative 'не хочу воевать'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Explain in Russian what 'воевать с ленью' means.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'The soldiers fought bravely for their country.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using 'воевать против' + Genitive.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Describe a situation where someone is 'воевать с ветряными мельницами'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence about two countries fighting for resources.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using the plural past tense 'воевали'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'It is hard to fight against the system.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using 'воевать' in the future tense (using 'буду').

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence about a cat fighting with a toy.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Use 'воевать' in a formal context (news style).

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using 'воевать с собой'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'They have been fighting for ten years.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce 'воевать' correctly with stress on the last syllable.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'I am fighting with a computer' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce the 1st person singular: 'я воюю'.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'They fought for freedom' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce the plural past tense: 'воевали'.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Ask 'Who are you fighting with?' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'Stop fighting!' (plural) in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce 'военачальник'.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'It is hard to fight' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'We fight for peace' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce 'воюющая страна'.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'My grandfather fought at the front' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Ask 'Why are they fighting?' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'I fight with myself' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce 'воюешь'.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'They fought for five years' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'I don't want to fight against you' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Pronounce the idiom 'воевать с ветряными мельницами'.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'The army fights successfully' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say 'He fought till the end' in Russian.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the tense: 'Они воевали.'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the person: 'Воюешь.'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the preposition: 'Воюем за мир.'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Я воюю с этим.' Is the speaker struggling now?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen for the soft 't': 'Воевать'. Is it the infinitive?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Воевала'. What is the gender of the subject?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Воюют'. Is it one person or many?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Повоевать'. Is this a short or long action?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Воин'. Is this a verb or a noun?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Воюете'. Who is the speaker talking to?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the root: 'Воинственный'.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Не воевать'. Is this a command to fight?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Воюем'. Who is included?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Отвоевать'. Does this mean to lose or win back?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Воевал'. Was this in the future?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

/ 200 درست

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