Signification
To define an objective to achieve.
Contexte culturel
In Russian companies, 'поставить цель' is often associated with 'KPI' (Key Performance Indicators). It is expected to be top-down, though modern startups are moving toward collaborative goal-setting. The phrase carries a weight of 'heroic labor'. During the USSR, setting goals was a matter of national pride and survival, leading to a culture that values 'over-achieving' (перевыполнение плана). Young Russians are obsessed with 'саморазвитие' (self-development). 'Поставить цель' is a buzzword in the Russian 'blogosphere' and among productivity influencers. Russian sports schools are famous for their discipline. 'Поставить цель' is the first thing a child learns when entering a gymnastics or chess academy.
Use 'перед собой'
Adding 'перед собой' (before oneself) makes you sound more like a native speaker when talking about personal goals.
Avoid 'сделать'
Never use 'сделать' with 'цель'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
To define an objective to achieve.
Use 'перед собой'
Adding 'перед собой' (before oneself) makes you sound more like a native speaker when talking about personal goals.
Avoid 'сделать'
Never use 'сделать' with 'цель'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
SMART Goals
In Russian business, people use the English acronym SMART, but they still use the verb 'поставить' to describe the act of setting them.
Public vs Private
In Russia, it's often better to 'поставить цель' quietly and only talk about it once you've achieved it (the 'don't jinx it' rule).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'поставить'.
В прошлом году я ___ цель выучить 500 новых слов.
Use 'поставил' for masculine singular past tense (assuming the speaker is male).
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'to set an ambitious goal'?
'Поставить' is the only correct verb to use with 'цель' in this context.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
— Почему ты так много работаешь? — Я ___ купить дом к тридцати годам.
'Поставил цель' explains the motivation behind the hard work.
Match the adjective with the goal type.
Match the pairs:
These are the most common adjectives used with 'поставить цель'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВ прошлом году я ___ цель выучить 500 новых слов.
Use 'поставил' for masculine singular past tense (assuming the speaker is male).
How do you say 'to set an ambitious goal'?
'Поставить' is the only correct verb to use with 'цель' in this context.
— Почему ты так много работаешь? — Я ___ купить дом к тридцати годам.
'Поставил цель' explains the motivation behind the hard work.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the most common adjectives used with 'поставить цель'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds a bit formal. For small things, use 'решить' (to decide) or 'запланировать' (to plan).
'Цель' is the final result (e.g., learning Russian), while 'задача' is a specific step (e.g., learning the alphabet).
Both are correct. Use the singular for one specific goal and plural for multiple goals.
Metaphorically, a goal is like a target that stands upright. 'Поставить' is used for vertical objects, 'положить' for horizontal ones.
It is neutral. It's perfectly fine in a casual conversation with friends or in a formal business report.
Yes, but 'установить' sounds more like 'installing' or 'establishing' a technical parameter. 'Поставить' is more natural for human intentions.
Use the dative case: 'Я поставил ему цель'.
There isn't a direct opposite verb, but you could say 'жить без цели' (to live without a goal).
'Задаться целью' is more literary and implies a stronger, more obsessive commitment.
Only if you want to sound like you're 'targeting' someone, which might be creepy! Better to use 'хотеть быть с кем-то'.
Expressions liées
достичь цели
builds onTo achieve a goal
задаться целью
synonymTo make it one's mission
преследовать цель
similarTo pursue a goal
идти к цели
similarTo move toward a goal
отказаться от цели
contrastTo give up on a goal
