ждать

Meanings

1. to wait, to expect, to awaitfor a while, compare to подожда́ть
2. wait

Usage notes

ждать is unique because it can take either the Accusative or the Genitive case depending on the nature of what you are waiting for.\n\n1. Use the Accusative when the object is specific, concrete, or animate.\n\nPeople and Animals (Animate) -> Accusative.\nЯ жду сестру. - I am waiting for my sister.\nМы ждём друга. - We are waiting for a friend.\n\nNote: For masculine animate nouns like друг, the Accusative form looks identical to the Genitive (друга).\n\nSpecific Objects: When you are waiting for a particular, definite thing -> Accusative.\n\nЯ жду автобус №5. - I am waiting for bus number 5.\nОн ждёт эту книгу. - He is waiting for this (specific) book.\n\n2. Use the Genitive when the object is abstract, indefinite, or a general concept.\n\nAbstract Concepts: Ideas, feelings, or events that aren't physical objects.\nМы ждём перемен. - We are waiting for changes.\nЖдать у моря погоды. - Idiom: To wait for the weather by the sea / to wait in vain.\n\nIndefinite Objects: When you are waiting for "some" of something or an unspecified item.\nЯ жду письма. - I am waiting for a letter (any letter, or the expected one in a general sense).\nЖдать ответа. - Waiting for an answer.\n\nIn modern spoken Russian, the distinction is becoming a bit blurred. You will often hear native speakers use the Accusative for concrete inanimate objects (like ждать трамвай instead of ждать трамвая), even if they aren't being strictly "specific." However, for abstract nouns, the Genitive remains the standard.

Examples

• Я могу́ только ждать.
  I can only wait.
• Я не хочу́ ждать так долго.
  I don't want to wait so long.
• Наконец-то мы встре́тились! Я так долго ждал э́того дня!
  At last we meet! I've waited so long for this day!

Related words