К and core uses of по
к marks approach or orientation toward; по has several dative constructions that must be learned by meaning.
- The expanded form ко appears before some clusters and in lexicalised frames: ко мне, ко вре́мени, ко вторни́ку. It is phonological packaging, not a different case.
- Polysemy warning: Do not translate every по as 'along'. Store по пла́ну, по телефо́ну, and по у́лице as separate related frames.
| Frame | Example | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| к + dative | к врачу́; к окну́; к А́нне | toward / to |
| по + dative | по пла́ну | according to |
| по + dative | по телефо́ну | by/on a medium |
| по + dative | по у́лице | along/through an area |
| по + dative | по сове́ту врача́ | following/on the advice of |
Mini-check
1. Form: к + врач; по + план; по + у́лица. 2. Does ко select a different case from к?
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.