The Prepositions v (vo) and na in LPQR

As mentioned earlier, the prepositions v and na are used both to indicate the location of an object (answering the question gdje? "where?") and the direction of movement (answering the question kuda? "to where?"). If the word following the preposition begins with v or f, the preposition v takes the form vo.

Mjestǐ-u-nas vo vtorǐj rjad.
Our seats are in the second row.

The exact meaning of these prepositions is usually determined by the verb that precedes them (or by the verb contained in the question to which the prepositional phrase is the answer). Deverbal nouns may also determine the interpretation of these prepositions.

When used with verbs such as bǐtj, žǐtj, učitjsja, visjetj, lježatj, sidjetj, stojatj, zanimatjsja, otdǐhatj, rabotatj, and similar verbs, as well as with their corresponding deverbal nouns (otdǐh, žiznj, učjoba, rabota), the prepositions v and na indicate the location of the subject or object.

(Remember that in the present tense the verb bǐtj is usually omitted, since its present-tense form jestj is normally left unstated. Therefore, the absence of a verb together with temporal adverbs such as tjepjerj, sjejčas, or sjevodnja may likewise indicate that the preposition expresses location.)

On rabotat v zavod.
He works at a factory.

Rabota v zavod.
Work at a factory.

Ja žit v Moskva.
I live in Moscow.

Žiznj v Moskva.
Life in Moscow.

Ona učitsja v škola.
She studies at school.

Učjoba v škola.
Studying at school.

Mǐ otdǐhat na bjerjeg u morje.
We are resting on the seashore.

Otdǐh na bjerjeg u morje.
Rest on the seashore.

Sjevodnja mǐ v uni.
Today we are at the university.

Sjejčas Ahmed na konsultacija.
Ahmed is at a consultation now.

The prepositions v and na express the direction of movement when they are used with verbs of motion or transportation, such as idti, jehatj, ljetjetj, hoditj, poidti, uidti, prijehatj, voidti, vhoditj, spješitj, pojehatj, njesti, prinjesti, vjesti, posǐlatj, poslatj, and ložitj.

Ja ložit rubaška-u-mjenje v čjemodan.
I put my shirt into the suitcase.

Mǐ idti v park.
We are going to the park.

Mǐ podnimatsja na vjeršina.
We are climbing to the summit.

Ja ložit eto kniga na stol.
I put this book on the table.

When to Use v and When to Use na

The choice between the prepositions v and na depends primarily on the spatial relationship between the object and the location or destination.

The preposition v is used when the location or destination is inside an object, that is, within a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. It is also used when referring to being inside an institution or moving with the intention of entering such an institution.

Djeti otdǐhat v lager.
The children are vacationing at the camp.

Mǐ bǐl v museum.
We were at the museum.

Krjestj'janǐ žit v djerjevnja.
The peasants live in a village.

Ja vhodit v dom.
I enter the house.

Ja vnosit eto čjemodan v komnata.
I carry this suitcase into the room.

Volga vpadat v Morje-Kaspij.
The Volga flows into the Caspian Sea.

Ja brosat eto kamjenj v rjeka.
I throw this stone into the river.

The preposition na is used when the location or destination is on the surface of a three-dimensional object, or when the object is conceived as a line or a point. It is also used when referring to attending an event or moving with the intention of attending an event.

Eti knigi lježat na stol.
These books are lying on the table.

Eti kartinǐ visjet na stjena.
These paintings are hanging on the wall.

Eti cvjetki stojat na podokno.
These flowers are standing on the windowsill.

Sjejčas vaš grupa na koncert.
Your group is at the concert now.

Mǐ podnimatsja na vjeršina.
We are climbing to the summit.

Ja ložit eto kniga na stol.
I put this book on the table.

Listǐ padat na zjemlja.
The leaves fall onto the ground.

Ja nadjet eto platok na caput.
I put this scarf on my head.

Ja smotret na gorǐ.
I am looking at the mountains.

Ja jehat na zasjedanije.
I am going to a meeting.

Ja idti na koncert.
I am going to a concert.

Thus, the general principle is essentially the same as in Russian, but in LPQR it is applied more consistently.

For example, the Russian phrase работать на заводе ("to work at a factory") must be translated as:

rabotatj v zavod

Likewise:

На площади стоит памятник.
Eto pamjatnik stojat v ploṧjadj.

A square is regarded as an open space rather than as a line or a point; therefore the preposition v is used.

The same principle applies to:

• v vokzal — at / to the railway station;

• v postamt — at / to the post office.

A door and a wall are regarded as three-dimensional objects.

Therefore, when referring to their surface, the preposition na is used, whereas v refers to their interior.

Zjerkalo visjet na stjena.
The mirror is hanging on the wall.

Sokroviṧje bǐl zamurovan v stjena.
The treasure was concealed inside the wall.

Similarly, a surface-mounted lock may be described as:

Eto zamok visjet na dvjerj.
The lock is hanging on the door.

Eto zamok lježat na dvjerj.
The lock is lying on the door.

By contrast, an embedded lock is described as:

Eto zamok vstroijen v dvjerj.
The lock is built into the door.

Consequently, the expression stuknutj v dvjerj ("to knock into the door") is incorrect. One should instead say either:

stuknutj na dvjerj
or simply

stuknutj dvjerj.

Likewise, the expression smotrjetj v okno ("to look into the window") is not used in LPQR. Instead, one should say:

smotrjetj čjerjez okno
to look through the window.