Можно and нужно
Russian often uses short impersonal expressions to talk about permission, possibility, and necessity.
Examples
RussianTranslation
Здесь можно сидеть.
You can sit here.
Мне нужно работать завтра.
I need to work tomorrow.
Нельзя входить сюда.
You must not enter here.
Pattern
можно/нужно + infinitive
How it works
Russian often uses short impersonal expressions to talk about permission, possibility, and necessity. This pattern typically appears as можно/нужно + infinitive and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- These forms often create general or impersonal meaning.
- They are common in instructions, advice, and daily practical speech.
Why it matters
Meet the patterns that change how Russian handles completion and result.
Use in context
These compact expressions are extremely useful in everyday Russian and feel very different from English-style modal verbs.