Russian Prepositional Case: Where, and About What?
Learn basic location phrases and topic expressions with the prepositional case.
RU004 · RU · A1 / A2 · cases, grammar
The question
Why is it в Москве but в Москву?
After в and на, a location commonly takes the prepositional case, while movement toward a destination commonly takes the accusative: Я живу в Москве (I live in Moscow) versus Я еду в Москву (I'm going to Moscow). The prepositional is also used after о/об for 'about'.
Location versus destination
| Prepositional: location | Accusative: destination | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Я в школе. | Я иду в школу. | I'm at school / going to school. |
| Он в Москве. | Он едет в Москву. | He's in Moscow / travelling to Moscow. |
| Книга на столе. | Я кладу книгу на стол. | The book is on / I put it on the table. |
Many singular nouns have -е in the prepositional, but -ии is common with nouns such as Россия → в России, and some nouns have special locative forms such as в лесу. The correct ending depends on noun class and expression.
Common mistake
Avoid *Я живу в Москва; say Я живу в Москве. Do not assume all prepositional singular nouns end in -е.
Remember
Use the prepositional for many static locations after в/на and topics after о, but accusative for destinations after в/на.