Tutorial
In Course: Russian A2

Knowing How Versus Being Able To: Мочь and Уметь

Master the contrast between acquired skills with уметь and situational possibility with мочь across past, present, and future tenses in Russian.

A lone figure in a swimsuit stands at the edge of a large, empty swimming pool, looking down into its dry, tiled depths. The person's posture suggests readiness to dive, contrasting sharply with the clear absence of water, under a bright, clear sky. Captured in a wide 3:2 landscape shot, with strong shadows cast by the pool's edge, creating a sense of quiet irony.
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Deck Contents

37 Cards
Lesson#1
In Russian, expressing ability depends on whether you have an acquired skill or situational possibility. The verb 'уметь' expresses learned know-how developed through practice, like swimming or playing an instrument. In contrast, 'мочь' expresses physical strength, external circumstances, or permission at a specific moment.
Lesson#2
The verb 'уметь' means to know how to do something. In the present tense for 'I', say 'я умею'. For example, 'я умею плавать' means 'I know how to swim'. When speaking informally to a friend, use 'ты умеешь'.
Quiz#3
Translate into Russian: 'I know how to swim.'

Я умею плавать

Quiz#4
Speaking to a friend, how do you say 'Do you know how to drive a car?' in Russian?

Ты умеешь водить машину?

Lesson#5
For third-person singular, use 'умеет'. For example, 'моя сестра прекрасно умеет играть на пианино' means 'my sister knows how to play the piano wonderfully'. For 'they', use 'они умеют'.
Quiz#6
Translate into Russian: 'My sister knows how to play the piano wonderfully.'

Моя сестра прекрасно умеет играть на пианино

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