Fun Uses of the Instrumental Case in Russian Posted by Maria on Jul 24, 2018
The instrumental case (твори́тельный паде́ж) is primarily used to talk about the tools or means that allow you to do something. There are also other, less literal, uses of this case that express the manner in which something is done. The most common use of the instrumental case is, of course, the instrument with which…
My Trip to the 2018 World Cup in Russia Posted by sasha on Jul 23, 2018
The 2018 World Cup in Russia came to an end last week, with France defeating Croatia in the final to win the tournament for the 2nd time. In total, 64 matches were played in Russia and 169 goals were scored. It was an excellent World Cup and Russia did a wonderful job as the host…
5 Russian Phrases to Talk About Raising the Retirement Age Posted by Maria on Jul 16, 2018
One of the current stories coming from Russia—even though it was temporarily overshadowed by the World Cup—is the proposal to raise the retirement age. Here are five useful expressions for discussing this reform, along with some coverage it’s received in the Russian media. Пенсио́нный во́зраст Пе́нсия refers to the pension received by a retired person…
8 Russian Football Words for the World Cup Posted by Maria on Jul 11, 2018
Now that Russia is out of the running at the World Cup and the tournament is nearing its end, and I’m sure football—or soccer for our US readers—is on many people’s minds. Sasha recently shared his experience at the World Cup. Here are eight words that will helps you talk about the game. 1. Чемпиона́т…
Experiencing the World Cup in Russia Posted by sasha on Jul 9, 2018
привет! Меня зовут Саша (Hello! My name is Sasha). I may have a Russian name, but unfortunately I don’t speak much Russian. My dad grew up in Russia and moved to the States over 35 years ago. All my life, I had always wanted to visit the “Motherland.” I finally got my chance last month, as…
4 Ways to Refer to Living Things in Russian Posted by Maria on Jul 3, 2018
Do you know what to call that cute fuzzy creature in the woods? Read on to learn four ways you can talk about living creatures and what distinguishes each of these ways. 1. Животное Живо́тное is related to жить, to live. This word is a general word for “animal.” You can hear it in speech…
Bob’s Your Uncle, or Using Kinship Terms for Strangers in Russian Posted by Maria on Jun 21, 2018
Did you know that some words normally reserved for family members can be used in Russian to refer to people you are not related to? This post will look at some of the situations when this may happen. Тётя The primary sense of тётя is “aunt.” This word may also refer to any adult or…