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В гостях у друзей

We are continuing from last week’s post on certain Russian expressions and underlying concepts that are specific to Russian reality.

Нормально

Нормальный as an adjective means “normal,” but it’s used in some unique ways. First, нормально is a common response to “Как дела?” (“How are you?”) Second, нормальный is used to express covert approval of something, for example:

• Я звонил несколько раз, но так и не сумел добиться нормального ответа (I called several times but couldn’t get a satisfactory answer).
• Наконец-то у нас нормальный руководитель (We finally have a reasonable manager).

In addition, ненормальный is used to express disapproval of a person and their “crazy” ways:

• Опять смотрят на меня как на ненормального. (They are looking at me again like I’m crazy.) [Владимир Войнович. Иванькиада, или рассказ о вселении писателя Войновича в новую квартиру (1976)]

В гостях

An expression that is used very often in Russian to talk about visiting friends is “ходить в гости.” Гость is, of course, a guest. Note that if you are visiting some friends for an informal get-together, it is unlikely to be called a party (вечеринка) in Russian. More likely, you will say “Я иду в гости к Наталье” (I’m going to visit Natalya).
If you are at someone’s place for a get-together, you can say “я в гостях у Николая” (I’m at Nikolay’s place).

• Я как-то рассказал этот анекдот, сидя в гостях у знакомых (One time, I told this joke at my friends’ place). [Григорий Горин. Почему повязка на ноге? (1960-1985)]

Давай

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The verb давать means to give. Давай is used in a whole variety of situations, and its general intention is to provide encouragement.

• convincing someone to do something: Ну давай, пойдем с нами (Come on, come with us).
• suggestion: Давай поедем на море! (Let’s go to the seaside!)
• encouragement to keep up someone’s efforts: Давай, давай, немного осталось (Keep going, you’re almost there).
• saying goodbye: Ладно, давай, завтра увидимся (Alright, take care, I’ll see you tomorrow).

Note that in the suggestion sense, давай can be pluralized as давайте if you are addressing more than one person.

Have you heard any of these before? What other Russian expressions give you a hard time?