Meaning
To act to solve a problem
Cultural Background
The phrase is a staple of 'Kantselyarit' (bureaucratic language). Using it can make you sound authoritative but also potentially distant. In Russian business, 'принимать меры' is often used to signal that a problem is being handled without necessarily explaining the details yet. Russian news reports almost always use this phrase when discussing government actions, giving it a very 'official' flavor. While formal, it's used by neighbors or in community chats (like Viber/WhatsApp groups) when complaining about utilities.
Use with Adjectives
Always pair this with adjectives like 'срочные' (urgent) or 'необходимые' (necessary) to sound more like a native speaker.
Avoid 'Делать'
Never say 'делать меры'. It is the most obvious sign of a non-native speaker.
Meaning
To act to solve a problem
Use with Adjectives
Always pair this with adjectives like 'срочные' (urgent) or 'необходимые' (necessary) to sound more like a native speaker.
Avoid 'Делать'
Never say 'делать меры'. It is the most obvious sign of a non-native speaker.
The 'По' Rule
If you want to say what the measures are for, use 'по' + Dative. E.g., 'меры по спасению' (measures for saving).
Bureaucratic Tone
Be aware that this phrase can sound a bit 'cold'. Use it in business, but maybe not with your best friend.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'принимать' or 'принять'.
Директор пообещал, что он ______ меры до конца недели.
The sentence refers to a future promise ('пообещал, что...'), so the perfective future 'примет' is required.
Select the most natural adjective to complete the phrase.
В связи с аварией были приняты ______ меры.
'Срочные меры' (urgent measures) is a very common collocation in emergency contexts.
Match the situation to the correct prepositional phrase.
Принимать меры...
You take measures 'against' (против) something negative like corruption.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
— В нашем районе стало очень грязно. — Согласен, мэрия должна ______.
This is the standard professional way to express that the authorities should act.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Меры vs. Шаги
Practice Bank
4 exercisesДиректор пообещал, что он ______ меры до конца недели.
The sentence refers to a future promise ('пообещал, что...'), so the perfective future 'примет' is required.
В связи с аварией были приняты ______ меры.
'Срочные меры' (urgent measures) is a very common collocation in emergency contexts.
Принимать меры...
You take measures 'against' (против) something negative like corruption.
— В нашем районе стало очень грязно. — Согласен, мэрия должна ______.
This is the standard professional way to express that the authorities should act.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, yes. You take measures to fix a problem, prevent a disaster, or punish a mistake. You wouldn't 'take measures' to celebrate a birthday.
Technically yes, but it's very rare. 99% of the time, it's plural: 'принимать меры'.
'Меры' sounds more official and administrative. 'Шаги' (steps) sounds more like a personal or strategic plan.
Yes, it's perfect. It shows you are professional and taking action.
Yes, but 'to take action' is broader. 'Принимать меры' specifically implies a set of steps to solve a problem.
Use the perfective future: 'Я приму меры'.
No, for that use 'снимать мерки' (for clothes) or 'измерять' (for length/width).
Yes, especially in 19th-century realism (Gogol, Chekhov) when describing officials and doctors.
It's a 'half-measure'—an action that is too weak to actually solve the problem.
Yes, this sounds like a threat of disciplinary or legal action.
Related Phrases
предпринимать шаги
similarTo take steps
наводить порядок
builds onTo restore order
решать проблему
synonymTo solve a problem
бездействовать
contrastTo remain inactive
полумеры
specialized formHalf-measures
