по
- 1.
along, down, through, across, around
Я иду́ по у́лице.
I'm walking down the street.
по + Location of walking, going in dative case
+dat
- 2.
about, on the subject of
Учебник по фи́зике.
Physics book.
по
+dat
- 3.
by the means of
Говори́ть по телефо́ну
to talk on the phone
по + object in dative case
+dat
- 4.
after a certain age
Дееспосо́бность возника́ет у лица́ по достиже́нии 18 лет.
A person acquires legal capacity at the age of 18.
- 5.
to (indicating to the end or limit of an object)
Я всади́л штык по ду́ло ружья́.
I stuck a bayonet to the muzzle of the gun.
по + accusative case
- 6.
on (weekdays, specific part of a day)
по понеде́льникам
on Mondays
по + day in dative plural
+dat
Usage info
По + dative: (i) With nouns that denote means of communication (ii) In the meaning ‘according to’, ‘by’ etc (iii) To denote a criterion for judgment (iv) To denote a target, especially a moving or diffuse target (v) To define the ‘frame of reference’ of persons, groups, objects etc.: (vi) With ordinal numerals, to denote position in a scale of dimensions or priorities:
Examples
Вы уже поговори́ли по телефо́ну?
Are you through with the phone?
По мои́м оце́нкам, себесто́имость проду́кции составля́ет 36% бюдже́та.
I estimate the production costs to be 36 percent of the budget.
Пожалуйста, не забу́дь отпра́вить э́то письмо́ за́втра по доро́ге в шко́лу.
Please remember to mail this letter on your way to school tomorrow morning.
Тот фильм был показан по телеви́дению.
That movie was shown on TV.
Fixed expressions
as compared with
about
by last name
at least
light insanity
not to one's liking; dislike
Typical usagePRO
Direction and location
идти́ по у́лице
walk along the street
е́здить по го́роду
drive around town
ходи́ть по ко́мнате
pace around the room
по доро́ге
on the way
Time and frequency
по утра́м
in the mornings
по вечера́м
in the evenings
по понеде́льникам
on Mondays
по выходны́м
at weekends
Communication and channel
по телефо́ну
by phone
по электро́нной по́чте
by email
по телеви́дению
on TV
по ра́дио
on the radio
Learn
Contributions
Michel edited translation 1 month ago.
Fox edited translation 6 months ago.
