Archive for 'Culture'
Around the World in 8 Phrases Posted by yelena on Jun 26, 2012
Have you seen the movie this short clip of these two Russian (ok, Soviet) tourists walking through the streets of some unnamed foreign city? Summer is, traditionally, the season for travelling. Куда вы едете этим летом? (Where are you going this summer?) It’s always been my dream to go around the world even if in just…
Welcome, or No Trespassing Posted by yelena on Jun 21, 2012
The weekend не за горами (is not far away). Лето, жара, выходной (Summer, heat, weekend)… What to do at the end of a long day spent на пляже (at the beach) or в бассейне (at a pool)? Why not watch a movie about summer! Today’s movie is an old Soviet comedy called Добро пожаловать, или…
Test Time – Check Your Knowledge of Russian Language Posted by yelena on May 25, 2012
It’s the end of the school year in Russia. The good news is that летние каникулы (summer school break) is about to start. The bad news is that first there are some экзамены (exams) that need to be passed. Of course, if you studied hard all year or, say, took time зазубрить (here: to cram)…
So Provincial! Posted by yelena on May 22, 2012
What cities or towns would you like to visit when travelling to Russia? If you have been to Russia, what cities have you visited? While I am awaiting for your answers (feel free to post them in the comments), I’m going to venture a guess. I’d say that the vast majority of иностранные туристы (foreign…
Just a Bit About Fruits Posted by yelena on May 17, 2012
As promised, it’s time to talk fruits and berries. Of course, since this is not a gardening blog, but a blog about Russian language and culture, instead of growing advice there will be lots of useful phrases and expressions. Ready? First, the word фрукт itself is interesting. Its main meaning is “fruit”, but when…
Eat Carrots to Look Like Sophia Loren Posted by yelena on May 16, 2012
Continuing with our exploration of огородная лингвистика (vegetable garden linguistics), let’s take a look at other vegetables that made their way into Russian proverbs, sayings and literature. Лук (onion) – everyone knows that лук – от семи недуг (onion helps fight seven illnesses) and in fact so many Russian folk remedies use onion to fight…
To Each Vegetable Its Own… Phrase Posted by yelena on May 14, 2012
There is a wonderful Russian saying всякому овощу своё время (there’s time for everything). But as it turns out, всякому овощу, фрукту и ягоде – своё красное словцо (to each vegetable, fruit or berry its own witticism). Картофель (potato) is a relative newcomer to Russia, appearing only in Peter the Great’s reign. Much like in…