Archive by Author
Describe Your Trip in Russian: The Outdoors Posted by Maria on Aug 3, 2015
We are wrapping up a 3-post series on talking about your trip in Russian. This time, we will cover the great outdoors! Perhaps some of you are planning to go camping in Russia or would simply like to share the stories of your adventures. Location First of all, a word you will hear a…
Describe Your Trip in Russian: The Beach Posted by Maria on Jul 27, 2015
Last time we talked about exploring Old Town attractions in Russian. This time, let us go to the beach (на пляж)! This is a popular destination for people around the world, and you may hear Russian speaking on one of the beaches. Amenities First, what are some of the things you find at a…
Describe Your Trip in Russian: Old Town Posted by Maria on Jul 20, 2015
A lot of our readers may be traveling this summer. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to talk about your trip in Russian or ask for specific travel advice while you’re on the road? In this post, we will concentrate on the “old town” environment (ста́рый го́род) and all it’s got to offer…
Writing a Formal Letter in Russian Posted by Maria on Jul 13, 2015
Perhaps some of our readers are learning Russian for more than personal enrichment. Some may want to study, work, or do business in Russia. If that’s the case, you need more that a few conversational phrases, and being familiar with and being able to write a business letter (делово́е письмо́) may come in handy…
A Whole Lot of Nothing: Sayings with Ничего in Russian Posted by Maria on Jun 29, 2015
Ничего́ (nothing) one of these seemingly basic words that you learn in the first months of learning Russian. However, it is also one that appears in a number of idioms and expressions that are not immediately obvious to the learner. 1. Ничего for doing well Ничего is a popular response to the question “Как…
Does Learning Russian Endorse Oppression? Posted by Maria on Jun 22, 2015
I was once talking to a young American teacher, who told me he had started learning Russian but gave it up in protest of LGTB rights violations in Russia. It is, indeed, not hard to be discouraged from learning Russian when Russian governments and people, past and present, commit offenses against principles one holds dear…
Three Ways the USSR Was Unintentionally Environmentally Friendly Posted by Maria on Jun 15, 2015
When people think of the soviet Union or present-day Russia, environmental protection is not the first thing that comes to mind. After all, in its quest for rapid industrialization, the USSR wrecked the environment in many ways, from air and water pollution to deforestation to desertification to nuclear meltdowns. At the same time, when…