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Riding «общественный транспорт» [Public Transportation] the Russian Way Posted by josefina on Oct 9, 2009
Sometimes «остановка трамвая» [a tram stop] look like this in even a larger Russian city – this picture was taken on the central «площадь 1905 (тысяча девятьсот пятого) года» [‘The Square of the Year 1905‘] here in «Ёбург» [‘Yekat’, it’s Russian slang for «Екатеринбург» (Yekaterinburg) since that takes far too long time to pronounce on…
Perplexing Prepostions: When to Say «в» and When to Say «на»? Posted by josefina on Oct 2, 2009
Isn’t Russian language a most confusing language? And wouldn’t you agree that the most perplexing part of it all is «предлоги» [pl. prepositions]? If you don’t think so, then take a close look at the picture above (you might have to sneak a peak under the leaves) and read what’s written on the sign: «Приглашаем…
Russian Word of the Week: «Халява» [Freebie] Posted by josefina on Sep 26, 2009
Looking through pictures from a couple of absolutely lovely and lazy summer days spent with my friend Marina’s family «в Кургане» [in Kurgan] in July, I came across this one: «Кафе Старая Прага. 20 июля в 18.00. Вход бесплатно (ХАЛЯВА) :-)» [Café Old Prague. July 20th at 18-00. Entrance free of charge (FREEBIE) :-)]. And…
How to Make Russians Do as You Say, or Mastering «повелительное наклонение» [imperative] Posted by josefina on Sep 22, 2009
This peculiar note I came upon on the wall of the restroom at the university today and couldn’t help but to share it with you, first and foremost because it is packed with information necessary for today’s grammatical note: «повелительное наклонение единственного числа» [imperative in singular]. «Если не сможешь сделать это аккуратно – лучше не…
«Мурка!»: a Russian musical «на мотивы русского шансона» [to the tunes of Russian chanson] Posted by josefina on Sep 20, 2009
Russia doesn’t just have a people with a ‘wide soul’ – «широкая душа» – but also a wide and diverse culture – «русская культура широкая и разная». Today’s post is about a part of Russian culture that is not among the first things you might find out about this country, but a part that is…
«Возвращение!» [The Return!] Posted by josefina on Sep 17, 2009
Today’s post is long overdue. «Я знаю!» [I know!] It’s been almost a week since the last post. «Простите меня!» [Forgive (pl.) me!] But there’s a reason for the delay – or, many reasons even! «Будьте снисходительны!» [Be (pl.) permissive; pardoning; forgiving!] Today’s post is named «возвращение» [return] but it won’t be about the splendid…
Listen While You Read, or – Read As You Listen Posted by josefina on Sep 10, 2009
In three days I’ll be returning to Russia – more specifically, «на Урал» [to the Ural Mountains] – but until then I have a great tip for all of you. One of the things that make learning a language outside of the country in which it is spoken very difficult is because it is hard…