Choosing between multiple perfective forms

Question

I recently found in my dictionary the triple: проща́ться (нв.), прости́ться (св.), попроща́ться (св.), for to say goodbye.

What do the two imperfective forms mean here in particular?

Is there a general scheme for the meaning in such cases where there are two perfective forms not only differing by a prefix?

I remember your similar question about imperfective ) https://russian.stackexchange.com/questions/22370/my-dictionary-sometimes-lists-two-imperfective-forms - yep, it's. a non-trivial topic in Russian ) — shabunc, May 08 '20 at 13:39
@shabunc Yes, the only difference is that here I have two perfective forms. — Bubaya, May 08 '20 at 13:47

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Aug 25 '23 at 14:12

1

Проститься often means to say goodbye forever or for a long time. Sometimes it refers to the custom of asking forgiveness before taking one's leave.

Они простились с усопшим.

Мы простились и он уехал (far away and for a long time).

Прощаться (попрощаться) means to say goodbye before parting for a short period of time. Sometimes it may be applied in the case of parting for a long time or forever.

мы попрощались. (and we will see each other tomorrow or soon)

edited Aug 25 '23 at 14:12

CocoPop

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answered May 08 '20 at 15:02

elena_m

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I upvoted your answer but, as I read it, I was thinking that this may vary across regions. I mean, попрощаться с усопшим sounds ideomatic to me too... – tum_ May 08 '20 at 17:09

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Aug 25 '23 at 14:14

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"Прости́ться" in the meaning of "saying goodbye" is considered archaic in modern Russian where "попроща́ться" would be used instead. For example:

Царь с царицею простился,
В путь-дорогу снарядился,
И царица у окна
Села ждать его одна.

In the modern language, the first line would be expressed as "царь с царицей попрощался". "Прости́ться" can still be used when saying goodbye forever — like leaving for good or a final farewell to the deceased.

edited Aug 25 '23 at 14:14

CocoPop

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answered May 08 '20 at 11:39

Kosh

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«"Прости́ться" in the meaning of "saying goodbye" is considered archaic in modern Russian language» ??? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8L9AmmtgG8 – Elena May 08 '20 at 14:18
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Yup, I don't feel myself archaic (yet) but I perceive проститься as a "normal" word... – tum_ May 08 '20 at 16:50

Choosing between multiple perfective forms

2 Answers2