Signification
Starting a friendship.
Contexte culturel
Friendship is often considered more important than professional success. 'Завести дружбу' implies a level of trust that goes beyond just 'knowing' someone. In many post-Soviet countries, 'blat' (connections) often started by 'завести дружбу' with the right people to navigate bureaucracy. Classic authors like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky used this phrase to describe the complex social webs of 19th-century Russia. In big cities like Moscow, people now 'заводят дружбу' in hobby clubs or gyms, moving away from the traditional 'neighbor' culture.
Use with 'удалось'
Saying 'Мне удалось завести дружбу' (I managed to...) sounds very natural and humble.
Don't say 'сделать'
Never use 'сделать дружбу'. It's the most common giveaway that you are translating from English.
Signification
Starting a friendship.
Use with 'удалось'
Saying 'Мне удалось завести дружбу' (I managed to...) sounds very natural and humble.
Don't say 'сделать'
Never use 'сделать дружбу'. It's the most common giveaway that you are translating from English.
The 'Friend' vs 'Acquaintance' line
Russians are picky. If you say you 'завели дружбу', people will expect you to be very close now.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'завести' and the noun 'дружба'.
В детстве очень легко _________ _________ с другими детьми.
We need the infinitive form here after 'легко'.
Which sentence is most natural?
How would you say 'I made friends with my neighbor'?
'Завести дружбу' is the standard collocation.
Complete the dialogue.
— Ты уже нашел друзей в новом офисе? — Да, я уже успел _________ _________ с парой коллег.
This fits the context of making friends in a new place perfectly.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which situation best fits 'завести дружбу'?
It implies the start of a friendship.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВ детстве очень легко _________ _________ с другими детьми.
We need the infinitive form here after 'легко'.
How would you say 'I made friends with my neighbor'?
'Завести дружбу' is the standard collocation.
— Ты уже нашел друзей в новом офисе? — Да, я уже успел _________ _________ с парой коллег.
This fits the context of making friends in a new place perfectly.
Which situation best fits 'завести дружбу'?
It implies the start of a friendship.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it implies the relationship has become personal. For purely professional ties, use 'установить деловые контакты'.
Both are correct. 'Дружбу' is the abstract relationship, 'друзей' is the people. 'Завести друзей' is slightly more common in casual speech.
Not at all. It is used daily in modern Russian, from blogs to business meetings.
The imperfective is 'заводить дружбу'. Use it for habits: 'Он легко заводит дружбу'.
It's risky. It specifically means 'friendship'. If you want to say you started dating, use 'начать встречаться'.
It's neutral. It's safe to use with your boss or your little brother.
This is the exact translation for 'завести дружбу'.
No, for 'enmity' we usually say 'нажить врагов' or 'начать враждовать'.
The Instrumental case. For example: 'с ним', 'с ней', 'с учителем'.
Yes, 'зафрендиться', but it's mostly used for social media.
Expressions liées
завести знакомство
similarTo make an acquaintance.
подружиться
synonymTo become friends.
быть на дружеской ноге
builds onTo be on friendly terms.
разорвать дружбу
contrastTo break off a friendship.
