Can someone please tell me when to use лежать versus ложиться? I understand that ложиться is reflexive but I need a clearer understanding of the difference between the two verbs. Perhaps an example or maybe a comparison to English usage. Thanks.
Can someone please tell me when to use лежать versus ложиться? I understand that ложиться is reflexive but I need a clearer understanding of the difference between the two verbs. Perhaps an example or maybe a comparison to English usage. Thanks.
It's like this (more or less):
лежать ~ to lie
ложиться ~ to lie down
Она лежит на земле - She is lying on the ground. (the process of lying - she's already on the ground)
Она ложится на землю - She is lying down on the ground. (the action of getting into horisontal position)
But be aware that many Russian expressions with "лежать" and "ложиться" require different verbs in English (not "to lie").
ложиться в больницу — go to the hospital (meaning that you stay there for some time as a patient)
вина за это лежит на вас — you are to blame for it
я поздно ложусь - I sit up late
etc.
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