Quote:
Originally Posted by TATY
Я живу в России уже пять лет
Живу is present tense.
I have lived in Russia for five years
For some reason English uses the past tense, it's just the way we do things.
Note you can also say
I have been living in Russia for five years
Both are correct and mean the same thing.
IMHO I think they do not mean the same.
I have lived in Russia for five years = I lived in Russia for 5 years, but now I do not live there. Or I lived in Russia for 5 years, then left for a while and then returned to Russia.
I have been living in Russia for five years = I lived in Russia for 5 years and I am still living in Russia.