At least «в России» [in Russia] and at least «до 10 (десятого) января» [until the 10th of January] it is true that «все отдыхают» [everybody’s on holiday]. Even though there was much talk in 2009 about finally abolishing those ten days that every Russian gets off in the beginning of every year «из-за экономического кризиса» [due to the economic crisis], nothing has yet changed. This means that the traditional treat to the Russian people (but not necessarily such a delight for the Russian economy) remains and is still known by most as «пьяная неделя» [‘the drunken week’]. At this time of the year in Russia it’s not business as usual but one big, long «отдых» [rest, repose, relaxation; recreation; refreshment; comfort] for everyone. At least «до понедельника» [until Monday] anyway… But what to do with all this «свободное время» [free time]? many Russians find themselves wondering somewhere in between all the official holidays that need to be properly celebrated with family and friends during these days. Obviously the 1^st of January is largely taken up by tending to one’s «похмелье» [hangover], and just as obvious is it for «русские православные христиане» [Russian Orthodox Christians] that the 7^th of January will be devoted to celebrating «Рождество Христово» [Christmas]. That’s «два дня» [two days]. Let’s say you’ll also need one day to prepare for Orthodox Christmas. But this still means that you only keep yourself busy for «три дня» [three days] out of ten… «Что делать?» [What to do?] Well, how about simply using this time to «отдыхать» [repose, rest, relax; (be on) holiday, vacation]? Once you’ve reached the conclusion that you agree with the usage of this verb in this context, then suddenly another question arises: «как отдыхать?» [how to repose, rest, relax; (be on) holiday, vacation?] Let’s have a look…

Why not do like «Медведев и Путин» [Medvedev and Putin] did during the first days in January and «кататься на лыжах» [go skiing]? After all, it is «зима» [winter] and most of Russia is covered in snow, though not especially hilly in many areas… This type of «отдых» [rest, repose, relaxation; recreation; refreshment; comfort] is known as «активный» [energetic, dynamic, active] in Russia.

Here you have another type of «отдых». This kind of ‘rest’ is easy to recreate in the privacy of your own home because all you need is to «собрать друзей» [gather together friends] and «накрыть стол» [set the table]. Then everything is ready for you to «проводить время в весёлой компании» [spend time in a cheerful company] and – hopefully – «поговорить по душам» [have a genuine and sincere talk] with someone… Because everybody knows nothing helps you relax as much as interacting with other people!

In Russian language (almost) each and every verb has both an imperfect ‘version’ and a perfect ‘version’. In Russian this is not known as ‘version’ at all, but properly named «вид» [aspect]. All Russian verbs (almost) have both «несовершенный вид» [imperfect aspect] and «совершенный вид» [perfect aspect]. The verb we’re talking about today is «отдыхать» in imperfect aspect and «отдохнуть» in perfect aspect. And the most correct way to «отдыхать» [repose, rest, relax] should eventually lead to a need to use the perfect «отдохнуть» instead, since if not, then no real «результат» [result, effect, outcome, consequence] has been reached. Generally speaking, the perfect aspect is always about results, whereas imperfect focuses more on «процесс» [process; operation; cause; act]. You can say something like «я отдыхал у родителей» [I rested with my parents (or: I spent my vacation at my parents’ house)] first and then explain further by commenting «из-за моей мамы я не мог отдохнуть» [because of my mother I couldn’t unwind (completely)]. If you go somewhere on holiday every year, then the verb you’ll want to use to express this is imperfect: «Каждым летом мы отдыхаем в Сочи» [Every summer we spend the holiday in Sochi]. But if you’re really tired and stressed and feel like you just need to take a day to yourself then you’ll want to make use of the perfect aspect instead: «Мне надо отдохнуть!» [I need to rest, repose; unwind, relax!]

A third way – and very funny way – to use all of this «отдых» is to watch something good, be it a movie or a show, in the movies, on TV or on youtube. Why not have a look at animated «Медведев и Путин» [Medvedev and Putin] sing and dance into 2010? What do you think?

Next week it’ll be «назад на работу» [back to work] for Russians, and for me not only «назад в учёбу» [back to school] but also «назад в Россию» [back to Russia]. Yes, I’m excited!