Russian Language and Culture

Happy Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 08:18:00 +0000

Easter in Russia! Russians have traditional Easter greetings. Paschal greeting is "Christ is risen!", and respond to it is "Truly He is risen". In Russian it will be "Христос Воскрес" (Hreestos Voskryes) and "Воистину Воскрес" (Voeesteenoo Voskryes).
Happy Easter.

Easter cake! Kulich!

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:26:00 +0000

Kulich - Кулич (Easter cake) is traditional Easter bread in Russia. Blessed kulich is eaten on the Easter (Paskha) breakfast with decorated eggs. Kulich is baked in tall forms, then cooled and decorated with colored icing. Also on th Kulich you can see two letters - ХВ, which means "Христос Воскрес" (Christ is risen). Christians can eat kulich (кулич) only for 40 days after Easter (Paskha).
Bon appetite and happy Paskha!

Easter! Decorating boiled eggs!

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:11:00 +0000

The main spring feast in Russia - Easter (Paskha - Пасха) is coming closer. Russian people are going to decorate boiled eggs.
How to decorate boiled eggs:
1). Put onion husk in boiling water and cook it for 30 minutes
2). Put eggs in your exctract and boil for 10 minutes
Your eggs will be from orange to red color.
Bon appetite!

Вербное воскресенье

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0000

Palm sunday.
Vyerbnoe voskruesen'ye.
Today, on March, 28 in Russia Orthodox Christians celebrate The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday. In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday is marked by the distribution of palm leaves to every visitor of church.

How do I say in Russian ''I wish you have fun''

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:17:00 +0000

There are a couple ways to express this in Russian. If you are addressing your friend or family member, which is an informal way of communication, you can say:

Желаю тебе приятно провести время! or
Повеселись! or
Желаю тебе весело провести время!

If you are addressing your boss or the person much older than you are as well as addressing multiple people at the same time, you need to be formal and can say:

Желаю вам приятно провести время!

Here is the recording teaching you to pronounce all above mentioned phrases http://www.box.net/shared/b06yct5djp You can either listen to it or download it onto your computer/ipod/mp3 player and practice.

Best of luck!

What is a typical Russian hat made of fur?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:01:00 +0000

Typical Russian worn hat made of fur is ушанка pronounced as "oo-shahn-kah". I have also recorded an mp3 file for you teaching how to pronounce Ushanka in Russian. I hope it helps: http://www.box.net/shared/nfdjibiqrg

Famous Russian Movie Actors

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:29:00 +0000

How to say: "Hello again, (person's name). How are you doing?" and "Thank you" in formal Russian?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Here is a small lesson for you, which includes both an mp3 teaching the phrases as well as written instructions below:

http://www.box.net/shared/1benndub7v

Hello again + person's name = [ye-schyo rahs zdrah-stvooy-tye] + person's name = Еще раз здравствуйте + name

How are you doing? (formal) = [kahk oo vahs dye-lah] = Как у вас дела?

Thank you. = [spah-see-bah] = Спасибо.

Happy Birthday Poem in Russian

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Does your friend or relative have birthday?! Learn how to write and pronounce a short Russian birthday poem!

С днём рожденья тебя поздравляю!
Здоровья, радости желаю,
И чтоб жил(а) ты много лет
Без слёз, без горести, без бед!

Literal translation into English:
I congratulate you with your birthday!
I wish you health and happiness,
And to live for many years
With no tears, with no sadness, with no troubles!

To learn the pronunciation listen to an mp3 I recorded: http://www.box.net/shared/egifx0fmho
Note: use "жил" when addressing male and "жила" when addressing female.

Russian Dessert - CRANBERRY MOUSSE - КЛЮКВЕННЫЙ МУСС

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:00:00 +0000

This cranberry mousse if one of my fondest memories from early childhood when I tasted it at our dacha/country house for the first time.

You will need:
- One and a half cups fresh cranberries
- Two and a half cups plus 1/3 cup of water
- 1/4 cup uncooked cream of wheat (not instant)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- lingonberry preserve for topping
- whipped cream for topping

Step 1:
Place the cranberries in a medium-size saucepan, add the 1/3/ cup of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cranberries pop open, 8-10 minutes.

Step 2:
Remove from the heat, let cool, then mash the cranberries thoroughly. Pass them through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan. Add the 2 and a half cups water and bring to a boil.

Step 3:
Reduce heat to low and gradually add cream of wheat and sugar, stirring constantly. Simmer stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved and mixture has thickened, 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 4:
Put the mixture in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer set on the highest speed until the mousse doubles in size, 7-10 minutes. Transfer to individual serving bowls and refrigerate until chilled. Serve with lingonberry preserve and whipped cream.

What is the difference between ПОЧЕМУ and ЗАЧЕМ?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:20:00 +0000

A dear friend and student of mine, Gale suggested this as one of many topics for the blog answering a question many students face: What is the actual difference between the words ПОЧЕМУ and ЗАЧЕМ?

The first interrogative word ПОЧЕМУ = why and can have a couple different meanings with first one being just "why" as in "what is the reason".
E.g.: Почему ты не читаешь? = Why aren't you reading?
Не понимаю, почему он еще не здесь. = I don't understand why he is not here yet.

The second meaning of ПОЧЕМУ is an equivalent to WHY NOT, an objection used as an affirmative answer to questions starting with "don't you" or "haven't you".
E.g.: Ты не сделал домашнее задание? = Haven't you done your home work?
Почему, сделал. = Why not, I have. / Why not, I have done it.

The second interrogative word ЗАЧЕМ = why as in "what's the purpose" or "what for". It is used when the idea of the question is "With what purpose?" or "What is the goal?"
E.g.: Зачем ты готовишь ужин? Мы ужинаем сегодня в ресторане. - Why / what for are you cooking dinner? We are having dinner at a restaurant today.

VOICE MAIL in RUSSIAN

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:06:00 +0000

The standard voice mail in Russian says:

Здравствуйте, с вами говорит автоответчик. Оставьте, пожалуйста, ваше имя и номер телефона после звукового сигнала. Мы вам перезвоним.

Literal translation: Hello, it's voice mail talking with you. Please leave your name and your phone number after audio signal. We'll call you back.

Learn how to pronounce it and record it as your own voice mail: http://www.box.net/shared/6ajv00puc3

Beautiful Russian Song by ВИТАС / VITAS

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Enjoy the song and see below words in both Russian and English languages.

День рождения моей смерти

Я сегодня на рассвете
Потерял надежды тень,
Сам себя запутал в сети,
А выпутываться лень.
И как будто наважденье,
Я забыл порядок дней,
Ведь сегодня день рождения
Или смерти день моей.

Я один на этом свете,
Впереди лишь пустота,
Под ногами то ли крыша,
То ли тонкая черта.
Я почти, что равен Богу,
Я главнее короля.
Я на край поставлю ногу,
И скажу: "Привет, Земля!"

И тогда одним я махом
Все проблемы разрешу.
И своим нетленным прахом
Напоследок согрешу.
Знаю, рано или поздно,
Верьте мне или не верьте,
Все равно ведь ОН приходит,
День рождения нашей смерти…

The Birthday of My Death

Today at daybreak
I lost a shadow of my hope
I entangled myself in the nets
Being too lazy to disentangle though
And as if under the spell
I forgot the order of days
Is it my birthday today
Or the day of my death?

I am all alone in this world
Only emptiness awaits me ahead
Is it roof or a thin line
Under my feet?
I am nearly God's equal
I am higher than the king
I will put my foot on the edge
And say: "Hello, Earth!"

And then at one stroke
I will solve all my problems
And in the end I will sin
By my imperishable ashes
I know that sooner or later
Whether you believe me or not
It will come anyway -
The birthday of our death...

Russian Punctuation, when do we use commas?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:02:00 +0000

Early Russian punctuation was based on Greek practice, since the Cyrillic alphabet is derived from the Greek; and by the 17th century several quite elaborate systems had evolved in different areas. Since the 18th century Russia has used a form of western European punctuation that has much in common with German practice: notably an even wider obligatory use of commas with subordinate and indeed coordinate clauses, and letter spacing (as well as italics) for emphasis. German quotation marks, French guillemots, and dashes may be used for direct speech.

However, you need to understand at least the basic rules.

Comma is used:

1. After the name of the one you address to: Оля, принеси мне чай. Olya, bring me some tea.

2. When enumerating something or describing something: У нас были белые, синие и красные карандаши. We had white, blue, and red pencils. Mind that you should not put a comma before the last item if there is an "и" copulative conjunction.

3. After a parenthetic word: Однако, он бросил эту затею. However, he gave up the idea.

4. Between two or more simple sentences consisting of a composite sentence if there is a conjunction between them. Нам удалось найти ключ, но мы не смогли открыть ворота. We managed to find the key but we failed to open the gate.

5. Before and after the dangling participle: Он шел вдоль дороги, напевая какую-то мелодию. He walked along the road, singing some song.

6. After an interjection: А, это ты... Oh, it's you...

How to say "RUSSIA" in Russian

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:29:00 +0000

Russia = Россия = [rah-see-ya]

also referred to by its formal name:
the Russian Federation = Российская Федерация = [rah-see-skah-ya fye-dye-rah-tsee-ya]

Listen to the recording to learn how to pronounce it correctly: http://www.box.net/shared/cd9zv5pzac

"Thank You" in Russian

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:29:00 +0000

"Thank you" in Russian is СПАСИБО = [spah-SEE-bah].

"Thank you very much" in Russian is СПАСИБО БОЛЬШОЕ = [spah-SEE-bah bahl-SHOH-ye]

Listen to the audio to learn how to pronounce it correctly: http://www.box.net/shared/9etpymlpio

"You are very intelligent" in Russian

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:41:00 +0000

Due to gender differences as well as formal and informal ways of address there are a couple ways of saying "You are very intelligent" in Russian:

1) Ты очень умный. - Ti ochen umniy. - Informal situation, addressing male.
2) Ты очень умная. - Ti ochen umnaya. - Informal situation, addressing female.
3) Вы очень умный. - Vi ochen umniy. - Formal situation, addressing male.
4) Вы очень умная. - Vi ochen umnaya. - Formal situation, addressing female.

Traditional Russian Dance "BARYNYA"

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Barynya is a famous Russian folk dance and music. The word BARYNYA = БАРЫНЯ = landlady was used by simple folk as a form of address to a woman of higher class.

Other traditional dances include: KOZACHOK, KHOROVOD, TREPAK, TROIKA, DROBUSHKI, KAMARINSKAYA

What is Russian stringed instrument with a triangular body?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:24:00 +0000

This Russian folk musical instrument is called БАЛАЛАЙКА - BALALAIKA and has triangular body and 3 strings. The back of balalaika is slightly bowed. Three strings run from the tuning pins over the metal frets on the neck across soundboard and are secured on the base of the instrument.

Couple essential phrases in Russian with audioguide

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:15:00 +0000

So what if you are not fluent in Russian and are just starting, but would like to greet and compliment some Russians around you? Here are a couple phrases for you to start with:

Привет. = [pree-vyet] = Hi. (informal, to a friend, relative, etc.)

Как дела? = [kahk dee-lah] = How are you? (both formal and informal)

Как ты сегодня поживаешь? = [kahk ti sye-vod-nya pah-zhee-vah-esh] = How are you today? (informal, to a friend, relative, etc.)

Ты сегодня отлично выглядишь. = [ti sye-vod-nya aht-leech-na veeg-lya-dish] = You look great today. (informal, to a friend, relative, etc.)

Now learn how to pronounce them by listening to the audio file: http://www.box.net/shared/91ozljofcc

What is GLOVE and GLOVES in Russian? Singular and plural nouns

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:38:00 +0000

GLOVE in its singular form is ПЕРЧАТКА [PYER-CHAHT-KAH]

Plural form in Russian is formed by adding Ы or И to masculine and feminine nouns, however one needs to remember about 7 letter spelling rule: if the word ends with consonants К, Г, Х, Ш, Щ, Ж, Ч then the ending will be soft И, and not Ы

So plural form GLOVES in Russian would be ПЕРЧАТКИ [PYER-CHAHT-KEE]

Listen to my audio file teaching to pronounce both singular and plural forms of the word "GLOVE" in Russian: http://www.box.net/shared/qkp2t0nxe3

How do we say "My sweet princess" in Russian

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:29:00 +0000

The phrase "My sweet princess" in Russian is "Моя милая принцесса" or another option would be "Моя дорогая принцесса".

Listen and download an mp3 file to learn how to pronounce it by clicking here.

How would we say HONEY or SWEETHEART in Russian?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:47:00 +0000

The term of endearment "лапочка" can be translated to English as:

1) "lassie" when describing a pretty and/or nice girl/woman
2) sweetpie, darling, sweetheart
3) honey (there is a 2003 motion picture released by Universal Pictures, its title "honey" was translated into Russian as "лапочка")

Phonetic Translations from English into Russian

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Here is an excellent resource for Russian Language Students: http://www.livelaughlovelearn.com/gloss/ It is an English to Russian Phonetic Index Online Talking Dictionary, so when you enter an English word it shows you phonetic translation into Russian presented in English letters as well as an audio file pronouncing the word.

What is the difference between these words: ванна, ванная, туалет?

noreply@blogger.com (Russian Teacher and Translator) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:51:00 +0000

So how do we say BATHROOM in Russian? Is it ванна, ванная or туалет? Let's look at these words more closely.

ВАННА stands for BATHTUB or any TUB, like washbasin. So this is a piece of furniture in the bathroom.

Depending on the type of house Russians live in, they might have one room that has both sink, bathtub and toilet bowl in it. This room will be called ВАННАЯ. Other housing type has two rooms, one with toilet bowl in it called ТУАЛЕТ and another one with a sink and a bathtub called ВАННАЯ.