завести́

fairly common #1710C1

verbperfective imperfective is заводи́ть

1.
to start (an engine), to wind up (a clock), to set (a mechanism) going
Он не смог завести́ маши́ну.
He couldn't start the car.
Used of engines, cars, clocks, gramophones.
2.
to get, to acquire, to start (a family)
Они́ реши́ли завести́ соба́ку.
They decided to get a dog.
3.
to establish, to strike up (a conversation), to introduce (a custom)
Э́то возмо́жность завести́ но́вые знако́мства.
It's a chance to make new acquaintances.
4.
to lead (far away), to lead astray
Проводни́к завёл нас в глубь ле́са.
The guide led us deep into the forest.
5.
to turn on, to get worked up
Её та́нец его́ завёл.
Her dance turned him on.
Colloquial.

Motion info

завести́ is derived from the unidirectional verb of motion вести́ with prefix за- (go behind / start).

Он завёл буди́льник пе́ред сном.
He set the alarm before going to bed.
Я ду́маю, мне пора завести́ соба́ку.
I think it's time for me to get a dog.
Я не могу́ завести́ маши́ну.
I can't get the car to start.
Он не мог завести́ дви́гатель.
He couldn't start the motor.
Я хочу́ вы́йти замуж и завести́ дете́й.
I want to get married and I want to have kids.
Ма́ма Тома ду́мала, что ему нужно завести́ но́вых друзе́й.
Tom's mother thought he needed to make some new friends.
Ты завёл друзе́й?
Have you made friends?
Том и его жена́ хоте́ли завести́ ребёнка до того́, как они будут слишком для э́того ста́рыми.
Tom and his wife wanted to have a child before they were too old.

Note: Stress change.

Imperative
ты	заведи
вы	заведите

Active present	-
Active past	завёдший	started (engine), wound up (clock), cranked up
Passive present	-
Passive past	заведённый	started, running, switched on (of an engine)
Gerund present	-
Gerund past	заведя́	while doing (past)

вести́to lead; to drive; to conduct; to behave; to keep (a diary); to lead (of a road)
verbimperfective
ве́стиnews / messages
nounfeminine
ввести́to introduce; to enter; to lead in
verbperfective
увести́to take away; to carry off; to steal (someone's partner); to withdraw
verbperfective
взвести́to cock (a gun); to impute (to); to lead up
verbperfective