Russian grammar - The Imperatives давайте and смотрите |
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There are two common interjections that are used with (and without) imperatives: • давай / давайте (imperative of давать - 'to give') is very very common. -- It is injected for encouragement - like 'Come on!' - it's a call to action. • смотри / смотрите (imperative of смотреть - 'to look') -- It is added for emphasis - especially for warnings or cautions - a bit like 'watch out' in English. Note that when there is a second verb it should accord with the pronoun, or be in the infinitive if there is no pronoun, |
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Давай быстрее!
Come on (informal), quickly! |
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Давай уже!
Come on (informal) now! |
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Давай, давай, давай!
Come on (informal), come on, come on! |
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Давай я помогу.
Let (informal) me help. |
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Давайте мы поможем.
Let (formal) us help. |
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Давайте мы посмотрим.
Let (formal) us have a look. |
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Давайте по порядку.
Let's (formal) (start) from the beginning. / Let's (do) it in order. |
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Давайте играть в шахматы.
Let's (formal) play chess! |
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Давайте смотреть телевизор.
Let's (formal) watch television! |
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Смотри, не опоздай!
Be sure (informal) not to be late! |
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Смотри, не разбей стакан.
Don't (informal) break the drinking glass. |
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Смотрите, не упадите!
Don't (formal) fall! |
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