Duo Russian Grammar

53) Placing Objects

Object placement in Russian

This concept is hard to translate but easy to grasp. Frankly, Russians (on average) tend to be more precise about the manner in which an object "is" somewhere or is "put" somewhere.

"Being" verbs do not have natural perfective counterparts because they are about a certain state.

Stand

Стоя́ть is used with "vertical" positions:

• a vertical orientation of a long or thin object (a book, a ski leaning against a wall etc.)
• a stable position of an object that has a "base" by design: plates, cups, shoes, boxes, furniture etc.
• about buildings, especially large. But not about rooms (offices, for examples).

Lie

Лежа́ть is used with "horizontal" orientations:

• a flat position of an object like book, a closed laptop, clothes, sheet of paper
• a sideways position of an object that is "normally" placed in a stable position ("stands")

Hanging about

Висе́ть is used with hanging/clinging objects:

• pictures, mirrors, notices, fridge magnets
• clothes on a hanger, curtains, ropes
• clothes hanging over a chair etc.

That's all. When you place an object into one of these three positions you use «ста́вить»(поста́вить), «класть»(положи́ть) and «ве́шать»(пове́сить) respectively. This also applies if you change an object's state (eg., it is lying flat, and you want it hung on a wall).

Use a "present-style" set of endings of a perfective verb to make its future form: «Я повешу картину тут/сюда» = I'll hang the picture here.

Mind the класть / положи́ть pair, where the imperfective and perfective forms come from different roots.

Be situated

Better late than never, I guess. There are a few verbs that only ever denote position, of which only «находи́ться» is within the scope of this course. The verb is often used with large objects like buildings, rooms, cities. However, it is not limited to these kinds of objects (it's just less not quite as common).

«Находи́ться» can sound overly formal in some situations. Basically, it is a verb that specifies the whereabouts of the subject, so it is appropriate when location truly IS in focus. Do not use it with people much, except in questions regarding the exact whereabouts (e.g., over the phone when you are trying to find your friends: «Где вы сейча́с находи́тесь?») With small objects "lie"/"stand", discussed above, are probably a better choice.