How to Translate for
into Russian
In English, the preposition for can have many meanings: purpose, benefit, exchange, substitution, time, etc. In Russian, there is no universal equivalent – each meaning requires a specific construction. Let’s go through the main cases.
1. For – meaning “purpose, intended use, benefit”
In Russian, we use different prepositions and cases:
Important: never translate for directly. First, understand the meaning: benefit, purpose, exchange, substitution, time.
2. Different meanings of for with “за + accusative”
За + accusative is often used to express:
Он поработал за меня – He worked in my place
Благодарю за внимание – I am grateful for your attention
Штраф за парковку – Fine for parking
Болеть за команду – To cheer for a team
Поднять бокал за молодожёнов – To raise a glass to the newlyweds
3. За + instrumental after verbs of motion
Used to show that an action is done to get something:
4. На + accusative for money, time, or material
Used when talking about the intended purpose of something:
Also used for scheduling or planning time:
5. Ради + genitive – “for the sake of”
Used when an action is done for someone else’s benefit or for a goal:
6. Чтобы + infinitive – “in order to”
The preposition для cannot be used with an infinitive. If the action is expressed by a verb, use чтобы + infinitive:
In Russian, we use different prepositions and cases:
Example | Translation | Explanation |
I paid for the coffee | Я заплатил за кофе | за + accusative – payment, exchange |
I have money for a ticket | У меня есть деньги на билет | на + accusative – intended use |
I went for bread | Я пошёл за хлебом | за + instrumental – movement to get something |
A cream for hands | Крем для рук | для + genitive – purpose, benefit |
There is a letter for you | Вам письмо / О, это письмо вам | dative case – recipient |
Important: never translate for directly. First, understand the meaning: benefit, purpose, exchange, substitution, time.
2. Different meanings of for with “за + accusative”
За + accusative is often used to express:
- Substitution. Замена
Он поработал за меня – He worked in my place
- Gratitude. Благодарность
Благодарю за внимание – I am grateful for your attention
- Punishment. Наказание
Штраф за парковку – Fine for parking
- Support. Поддержка
Болеть за команду – To cheer for a team
- Responsibility. Ответственность
- Toast. Тост
Поднять бокал за молодожёнов – To raise a glass to the newlyweds
3. За + instrumental after verbs of motion
Used to show that an action is done to get something:
- Я пошёл за хлебом – I went to get bread
- Поехать за ребёнком – To go pick up a child
- Пойти за билетами – To go for tickets
4. На + accusative for money, time, or material
Used when talking about the intended purpose of something:
- Деньги на покупку – Money for a purchase
- Время на работу – Time for work
- Ткань на костюм – Fabric for a suit
Also used for scheduling or planning time:
- Задание на завтра – Assignment for tomorrow
- Я купил билет на 5 января – I bought a ticket for January 5
- Я записался к врачу на пятницу – I made an appointment for Friday
5. Ради + genitive – “for the sake of”
Used when an action is done for someone else’s benefit or for a goal:
- Я сделал это ради тебя – I did it for you / for your sake
- Он работает усердно ради успеха – He works hard for success
6. Чтобы + infinitive – “in order to”
The preposition для cannot be used with an infinitive. If the action is expressed by a verb, use чтобы + infinitive:
- Я учусь, чтобы получить диплом – I study in order to get a diploma
- Он работает, чтобы зарабатывать деньги – He works to earn money
7. Time meanings of for
a) Duration (imperfective aspect)
If we talk about how long an action lasts, no preposition is used:
So, in Russian, English for is translated differently depending on:
Examples for practice
Rule: first, determine the meaning, then choose the correct preposition or case.
a) Duration (imperfective aspect)
If we talk about how long an action lasts, no preposition is used:
- Я живу здесь 3 года – I have been living here for 3 years
- Она ждала час – She waited for an hour
- Мы поехали на неделю – We went for a week (planning to return after a week)
- Взял книгу на 2 дня – I took the book for 2 days
- Я приехал на год – Came for a year
- Он сделал это за 3 дня – He completed it in 3 days
- Я выучила слова за вечер – I learned the words in one evening
- Долетели за 7 часов – It took 7 hours to fly
So, in Russian, English for is translated differently depending on:
- Meaning: purpose, benefit, substitution, gratitude, punishment, responsibility, toast
- Verb type: action or movement
- Time: duration, planned time, time to complete
Examples for practice
- Он поехал за хлебом. – за + instrumental (movement to get something)
- Я буду жить в Москве год. – no preposition (duration)
- Спасибо за помощь. – за + accusative (gratitude)
- Учебник для начинающих. – для + genitive (purpose)
- Я приехал в Москву на год. – на + accusative (planned duration)
- Я накопил деньги на дом. – на + accusative (intended use)
- Подарок маме. – dative (recipient)
- Я пришёл, чтобы купить цветы. – чтобы + infinitive
- Мы купили билет на субботу. – на + accusative (plan)
- Я пью за ваше здоровье. – за + accusative (toast)
Rule: first, determine the meaning, then choose the correct preposition or case.
January, 27 / 2026
© All Right Reserved. Daria Ledwon
