i've fallen and i cant say it right...

[im-such-a-slav.livejournal.com]

my dictionary gave two listings for the perfective form of падать: пасть and упасть. this is the first and only time it has done this, so is there a difference between the two? i asked a friend and she said пасть has a negative connotation, but i am still a bit confused. anyone have a better explanation?

also, i need to get a good font for my computer so i can read russian. does anyone know a good free one that i can download. i have windows XP, if that matters.

Comments

[ashalynd.livejournal.com]

Пасть is used mostly in figurative sense: Как ты низко пал! How low did you fall! - said to, e.g. somebody who stopped looking after himself, stole something, drinks all day long, etc.
Also: Город пал. The city yielded (to the enemy).
Упасть is a common translation of to have fallen: Он упал с крыши - He fell from the roof; Температура упала - The temperature dropped; etc.