Perfective and imperfective verbs

The LPQR language has imperfective and perfective verbs. The rules for using imperfective and perfective verbs are similar to those in Russian. Typically, two verbs (one imperfective and one perfective) form an aspectual pair: stroitj – postroitj čitatj – pročitatj. The two verbs in an aspectual pair name the same action, but the imperfective verb only names the action, while the perfective verb also indicates the completion and outcome of the action.

Imperfective verbs can denote an action as a process that occurred in the past, is occurring in the present, or will occur in the future, so they are used in the past, present, and future tenses. Perfective verbs most often denote the result of an action that was achieved in the past or will be achieved in the future. They do not have a present tense and are used only in the past and future tenses.

In other words

Imperfective verbs describe the process or repeated actions.

Perfective verbs describe a completed action with a result.

A simple example

Imperfective verb:

Ja napisal pisjmo
I was writting a letter.
( We don't know if I finished the process or not.)

Perfective verb:

Ja napisal pisjmo
→ I wrote / have written the letter.
(letter is ready)

A very clear formula

You can say:

Imperfective = focus on the action
Perfective = focus on the result

4. Another clear example

Ja čital kniga. - Imperfective verb
→ I was reading a book.

Ja pročital kniga . - Perfective verb
→ I finished reading the book. / I finished the book

• čital — process
  
  

• pročital — the book is finished
  
  

The imperfective aspect is also used to describe repetitive or habitual actions.

Ja čital eta kniga v djetstvo
I used to read this book as a child.

A metaphor for film and photography 🎬📸

The imperfective aspect is a film.
You see the process of action .

The perfect view is a photograph.
You see the result of the action .

Example:

Ja pisal pisjmo  imperfecive verb
→ This is a film : the writing process.

Ja napisal pisjmo perfective verb
→ This photo : the letter is already ready.

You can say it in English like this:

Imperfective is like watching a movie - you see the action happening.
Perfective is like a photo - you see the finished result.

2. A very clear example with coffee ☕

Ja pil kofeja Imperfective verb
→ I was drinking coffee.
(process)

Ja vǐpil kofeja Perfective verb
→ I drank / finished the coffee.
(The cup is empty — the result)

4. Very short explanation (best for conversation)

You could literally say it like this:

Russian verbs have two aspects.
Imperfective shows the process or repeated action.
Perfective shows that the action is completed and the result is achieved.

5. Mini-table (usually very helpful for English speakers)

Example with a TV series

Let's imagine that a person is watching a TV series.

Ja smotrjel serija. Imperfective verb
→ I was watching a TV series.

It's a process . We don't know if it's finished.

I watched this series. Perfective verb
→ I finished the series.

This is the result - the entire series has already been watched.

A very short explanation:

Imperfective describes the process of doing something.
Perfective describes finishing something.

Another very clear example

Ja djelal zadanije-nadom Imperfective verb

→ I was doing my homework.

Ja sdjelal zadanije-nadom Perfect verb
→ I finished my homework.

If it can be said in English

“finish doing something” ,

then in LPQR the perfect form is almost always used .

to finish reading → pročitatj

to finish writing → napisatj

to finish doing → sdjelatj

to finish drinking → vǐpitj

SPECIAL CASES OF USE OF VERB TYPES IN THE PAST TENSE

1.

IMPERFECT ASPECT:

Why is it cold in this room? - I opened the window (i.e. opened and closed).

Počjemu v this komnata Is it cold holodno? - Ja otkrǐval okno. (By the time of speech, the result of the action is cancelled).

PERFECT VIEW:

Why have you opened the window?- (I opened the window and now it is open) 

Začjem tǐ otkrǐl okno ? (By the time of speaking, the result of the action is saved)

2.

IMPERFECT ASPECT: 

He was building his dacha the whole month. 

On stroil svoj dačja vjesj mjesjac (The process lasted for a certain amount of time.)

PERFECT ASPECT:

He built his dacha for a month / He has built his dacha for one month. 

On postroil svoj dačja za mjesjac (The result was achieved within a certain time. )

The difference between perfective and perfective verbs is clearly evident when they are used in the imperative.

As already noted, the imperative function in LPQR uses the verb infinitive. The noun or pronoun designating the addressee of the imperative is placed immediately before or after the verb and separated from it by a comma.

The infinitive of a perfective verb is used when referring to a single or short-term action, or when it is important to indicate that the action has had or will have a result. If the action is repeated or continuous and the focus is on the process of the action itself, not its result, the infinitive of an imperfective verb is used.

It is recommended to follow these rules also in cases where the infinitive is used with negation (Here there is some difference from the Russian language).

You can't cross the street now. The light is red. – 

Sjejčas NJELJZJA PJERJEIDTI čjerjez uliza . Krasn ǐ j svjet (You cannot perform an action at the moment; the perfective verb is used) 

When the light is red, you cannot cross the street. – 

Kogda krasnǐj svjet , NJELJZJA PJERJEHODITJ čjerjez uliza . (Never, under the given condition, can one perform an action; the imperfective verb is used)

The same principles apply when it is necessary to express a request, advice, encouragement to action, order, demand, or invitation.

Examples:

At the doctor's-

Take your medicine three times a day, go for a walk before bed, and eat fruits and vegetables. – 

Vǐ, prinimatj medicine tri razǐ v djenj , guljatj perjed son , kušatj fructǐ i ovoši (The speaker emphasizes that the action should be repeated. – imperfective verbs)

In the store:

- Tell me, please, do you have a Russian language textbook? - Show me, please.

Vǐ, skazatj , požalujsta , vǐ imjet učjebnik po lingva „ russkij “? Vǐ, pokazatj , požalujsta ! (The speaker is interested in the result of the action: the process of the action is not important for him . - perfect verbs) -

In summer relax, swim, sunbathe, pick mushrooms and berries...

V ljeto vǐ otdǐhatj , kupatjsja , plavatj , zagoratj , sobiratj gribǐ, jagodǐ ( The imperfective aspect is used to denote long-term or repeated actions).

At home

- Dry the dishes, please. - Take them to the room! - Put the cups in the cupboard!

Tǐ, vǐtjerjetj , požalujsta , eto posuda , otnjesti v eto komnata , postavitj čaški v  škaf ! (the perfective aspect is used to denote single completed actions )

The guests have arrived -

Come in, undress, please go into the room, sit down, eat...

Vi , voidti , požalujsta , razdjetjsja , proidti v komnata , sjestj , kušatj (perfective verbs voidti , razdjetjsja , proidti , sjestj are used because this is an incentive for one-time actions, and the imperfective verb kušatj , because this is an incentive to eat, and eating is a long process)