Archive for 'Culture'
What Goes With Any Dish In Russia Posted by Nadya on Dec 23, 2020
Mayonnaise consumption in Russia ranks among the highest in the world. On average 95% of Russians eat it (even higher in some regions) and per capita consumption in Russia is from 7 to 11 pounds of mayonnaise per year! Russians are obsessed with mayonnaise (майоне́з) and use it in industrial quantities. They add it to literally…
Dear Ded Moroz: Writing letters in Russian Posted by bota on Dec 18, 2020
Did you forget to write a letter to Santa for Christmas this year? I ‘ve got great news for you: Russian Grandfather Frost (Де́душка Моро́з) is still accepting mail (more on essential Russian words for New Year’s here). So, let’s practice letter writing in Russian together and get some wishes out into the universe. We…
Russian phrases with numerals Posted by bota on Nov 24, 2020
Since we’ve covered the difference between один and раз, it’s only apt to enrich our vocabulary with a few numeral-heavy Russian expressions and idioms. I will give both the literal translation (sometimes for the sake of curious imagery and other times for even more curious etymological reasons), as well as the actual idiomatic meaning and…
Halloween Words & Phrases Posted by Nadya on Oct 29, 2020
Everyone’s favorite in the United States, Halloween is gaining popularity in Russia. And since the festival of spirits, witches, and pumpkins is tomorrow, I hope it will be helpful to put together a list of words and phrases on this topic. I’m sure at least some of you were wondering what the Russians do on…
What is “pознь”? Posted by bota on Oct 23, 2020
What if I told you there was a single word in Russian to help one convey that just because something is labeled X doesn’t mean that all things X are like the first thing X? The word in question is рознь and here’s how it works. You take a Russian noun, put it in the…
Weird Russian Omens And Superstitions Posted by Nadya on Oct 20, 2020
– Honey, you have been with me all through the bad times: when I was fired, my business failed, when we lost our home. When I was hospitalized, you also were there to support me. You know what? …
A day in a Russian kindergarten Posted by bota on Sep 24, 2020
“Зо́лушка” (“Cinderella”), “Ска́зка” (“Fairy Tale”), “Одува́нчик” (“Dandelion”), “Улы́бка” (“Smile”), “Слонёнок” (“Baby Elephant”). At first, these might seem like random words strung together, but in Russia, if they are preceded by “Де́тский Сад” (“kindergarten”) these names evoke some of the sweetest, most carefree days of one’s childhood. And what’s there not to love about kindergarten days?…