11.6 - Value added
On page 11.2 we discussed the role of prefixes (particularly з-, по-, на-, про- and за-), in changing the aspect of a verb from imperfective to perfective. In addition to this function, prefixes also play a part in adding layers of meaning to the verb.
In the verb «писати» (to write, to be writing), for example, the
perfective is formed by adding the prefix на-, giving the form
«написати».
If, however, one replaces the standard perfective prefix на- with, for
example, за-, this gives «записати», meaning
"to write/note down, record".
Below is a selection of compounds of «писати»:
| perfective | imperfective | principal meanings |
|---|---|---|
| записати | записувати | note down, record |
| переписати | переписувати | copy, re-write |
| дописати | дописувати | finish writing; write articles (e.g. for a newspaper) (imperfective only) |
| пописати | пописувати | to write a large quantity or in many places; to cover with writing or drawing (perfective only); to write from time to time; to write (literature) badly, scribble (imperfective only) |
| вписати | вписувати | insert, make an entry (e.g. in a register) |
| відписати | відписувати | to reply in writing (e.g. to a letter); bequeath |
| підписати | підписувати | sign |
| недописати | недописувати | not finish writing; leave (something) unwritten |
| розписати | розписувати | depict, draw, paint |
| виписати | виписувати | make a copy of an extract of a text; take out a subscription (to a periodical) |
| описати | описувати | describe |
| списати | списувати | make a copy of; write off (e.g. a loss) |
| надписати | надписувати | inscribe, superscribe; endorse |
As can be seen from the table above, the prefix is an integral part of each verb, rather than a marker of its aspect (which is shown through internal change of the stem).
The table above shows the range of meanings which verbs acquire through the use of prefixes. A good dictionary will help the reader understand these, but it is worth learning the most frequently occurring meanings of the prefixes:
| Prefix | Type of action | Rough English equivalent (where relevant) |
|---|---|---|
| в- (у-) | in(to) | in-, imm- |
| ви- | out completion, emission |
ex-, e- |
| від- | away, from response discharge of an obligation |
ab- re- |
| до- | movement to completion of unfinished action |
ad- |
| з- (с-) | completion exhaustion |
|
| за- | completion | |
| на- | completion exhaustive or intensive action movement to or onto |
ad- |
| над- | over or above | super-, over- |
| недо- | failure to complete action | |
| о-, об- | around thorough action |
de-, circum- pro- |
| пере- | across re-doing |
trans-, re- |
| під- | under action with negative connotations |
sub-, under- |
| по- | limitation by time multiplication |
|
| про- | action limited by a period completion |
|
| при- | joining, bringing together | |
| роз- | separation distribution development |
dis- de- |
To practise recognising the meanings of prefixed verbs in perfective and imperfective go to Exercise 11.6A and Exercise 11.6B.