под

very common #227B1

Also written:по́до (before certain consonant clusters (подо мной))

preposition

1.
under, underneath, below
Чемода́н под крова́тью.
The suitcase is under the bed.
под + instrumental for location; also 'below' of a floor or storey (кварти́ра под на́ми)
2.
under, underneath
Поста́вь стул под стол.
Put the chair under the table.
под + accusative for direction
3.
near, just outside, in the vicinity of
Они́ живу́т под Москво́й.
They live just outside Moscow.
под + instrumental; typically with names of towns
4.
under, in, under the influence of
Мы промо́кли под дождём.
We got soaked in the rain.
под + instrumental: под дождём, под огнём, под контролем, под наркотиками
5.
towards, just before, on the eve of
Под ве́чер ста́ло хо́лодно.
Towards evening it got cold.
под + accusative; also of age: под ста́рость 'in one's old age'
6.
to (music), accompanied by
Мы танцева́ли под му́зыку.
We danced to the music.
под + accusative
7.
for, to be used as
Э́то зда́ние отдали под шко́лу.
This building was given over for use as a school.
под + accusative, of purpose or designated use
8.
down, downhill
Идти́ под го́ру ле́гче.
Going downhill is easier.
in the set phrase под гору (stressed по́д гору)
9.
in imitation of, -effect
Мы купи́ли стол под дуб.
We bought an oak-effect table.
под + accusative, of imitation materials

Usage info

(i) ‘Support’ for the dependent noun
(ii) ‘Accompaniment’:
(iii) ‘Iimitation’, ‘adaptation to style’ etc.:

Examples

Под па́ртой лежи́т я́блоко.
There is an apple under the desk.
По пути́ на вокза́л я попа́л под проливной дождь.
I was caught in a shower on my way to the station.
Я спря́тался под крова́тью.
I hid under the bed.
Метро́ движется под землёй.
Subways run under the ground.
Кот под столо́м.
The cat is under the table.
Котёнок лака́л молоко́ под столо́м.
The kitten was drinking milk under the table.
Мышь забежа́ла под крова́ть.
The mouse ran under the bed.
Не оставля́й велосипе́д под дождём.
Don't leave the bicycle in the rain.

Typical usagePRO

Space: location (under + Instrumental)
- под сто́лом
  under the table
- под крова́тью
  under the bed
- под кры́шей
  under the roof
- под землёй
  underground; beneath the ground
Space: direction (to under + Accusative)
- под стол
  under the table (to a position)
- под крова́ть
  under the bed (to a position)
- под зо́нтик
  under the umbrella (to take cover)
- под одея́ло
  under the blanket
Time and approximation
- под ве́чер
  towards evening
- под у́тро
  towards morning
- под ночь
  towards nightfall
- под коне́ц
  towards the end