Grammar
Conquer Russian Present Tense: A Step-by-Step Verb Mastery
The present tense in Russian is the easiest tense. Yes, you have to remember the conjugation forms, but the usage is very basic. No perfective forms are used. Unlike English, Russian does not have a direct equivalent of continuous forms using verb forms like “-ing.” Instead, it relies on context and specific time adverbs to…
How to Determine the Gender of a Noun in Russian
There are three genders of nouns in the Russian language: masculine (m.), feminine (f.), and neuter (n.). Each noun falls into one of these categories, and the noun’s gender can have an impact on the construction of other words, such as adjectives and verbs. To speak Russian fluently, it is important to know the gender…
What are Adverbs of Time in Russian (+Example Sentences)
Adverb of time is meant to denote when exactly an action is taking place: today, now, always, daily etc. In this post I’ll make a list of adverbs of time in Russian with example sentences. I hope this will help you understand how to use them. сегодня [seevodnya] – today Какое сегодня число? – What’s…
Unraveling the Instrumental Case in Russian Grammar
In the heart of the Russian language lies a captivating puzzle that adds a kaleidoscope of depth to its sentences – the instrumental case. Imagine a conversation that goes beyond the mere “who,” “what,” and “where,” delving into the nuanced whispers of “with whom,” “by whom”, “by what means,” and “with what.” It’s as if…
Vocabulary
Kitchen Vocabulary in Russian: Things You Use to Cook and Eat
A kitchen, as you already know, is used for cooking and food preparation. It’s a place where delicious meals are crafted, flavors are combined, and culinary adventures take shape. Within this usually small but vibrant space, you can find a treasure trove of tools and appliances that aid in the creation of culinary masterpieces. In…
Times of the Day: What are Different Parts of the Day Called in Russian?
Step into a realm where time is painted with the strokes of language, as we unravel the captivating names for different parts of the day in Russian. In this post, I invite you to wander through the ever-changing landscape of dawns, dusks, and everything in between. Discover how the Russian language gracefully captures the essence…
Vegetables in Russian: Vocabulary List with Pronunciation
We already know how to talk about food in Russian. Now it’s time to learn the vegetables names to enhance your vocabulary. картофель [kartofyel’] – potato (informal картошка [kartoshka]) огурец [aguryets] – cucumber (pl. огурцы) томат, помидор – tomato (pl. томаты, помидоры) морковь [markof’] – carrot (informal морковка [markofka]) свёкла [svyokla] – beetroot перец [pyeryets]…
Asking for and Giving Directions in Russian
If you’ve ever been in foreign city or country, you might have known how important it is to know some words and phrases in local language to ask for a direction. In this article you will learn not only how to ask for it but also how to give directions in Russian. First, there’s the…
Phrases
50+ Great Compliments in Russian for Any Occasion
Compliments have the power to brighten someone’s day, boost their confidence, and foster positive connections. In Russian culture, expressing appreciation and admiration through compliments is a heartfelt way to connect with others. Whether you want to compliment a woman or a man, knowing the right words can help you convey your genuine praise. In this…
Fatigue, Russian Style: Alternate Ways to Say “I’m Tired”
We all get tired all the time. Of work, of boredom, and even of life in general. That’s why it’s helpful to know the phrases with which you can express how tired you are. In this article, I will list expressions that you can use to express fatigue and tiredness. Stay tuned and don’t get…
99 Common Russian Phrases for Everyday Use
Have you ever found yourself struggling to communicate in Russian, especially in everyday situations? Fear not, as I have compiled a list of 99 common Russian phrases that will help you navigate through daily life with ease. These expressions will come in handy in a variety of contexts: from basic greetings to asking for directions…
Saying ‘Yes’ and ‘No’: Russian for beginners
We’ve already started to learn Russian but there is one thing we missed: two easiest but essential words – yes and no. In Russian these words are also very short and easy to pronounce. Basic words So, here we go: да [duh]– yes нет [n’et] – no Pretty easy, isn’t it? But you should keep…
Difference Between
Lost in Translation: Why Просить and Спрашивать Are Not Interchangeable
The Russian verbs просить (to request) and спрашивать (to ask) present a common challenge for Russian language learners. At first glance, they may appear to mean the same thing – “to ask.” However, despite what some Russian-English dictionaries suggest, these verbs are not interchangeable. Просить and спрашивать have distinct meanings and uses that learners must…
Горячий vs Жаркий: Are You Using the Right Word for “Hot” in Russian?
Russian has lots of cool words, but sometimes figuring out which one to use can be tricky. This article is here to help! We’ll be looking at two words that both mean “hot” in English: горячий and жаркий. Even though they seem the same, there’s a slight difference. Let’s break it down so you can…
Spotting the Differences Between Говорить, Разговаривать, and Сказать
Russian has multiple verbs that can be translated as “to speak” or “to talk” in English. At first glance, words like говорить, разговаривать and сказать seem interchangeable. However, there are subtle but important differences in how each verb is used. In this post, we will compare these verbs and look at when to use each…
Clearing Up the Confusion Between Где and Куда
In Russian, the words “где” and “куда” are commonly used to express location and direction respectively. Though they both translate to “where” in English, there is an important distinction between their usages that Russian learners must understand. The use of these words varies based on whether the object is in motion or static. In this…