{"id":1906,"date":"2011-03-11T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2011-03-11T08:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=1906"},"modified":"2014-07-17T14:36:30","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T14:36:30","slug":"7-must-know-russian-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/7-must-know-russian-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Be More Russian"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Remember a while ago we talked about how to learn Russian by creating an immersive experience<\/a>. Except now I realize that in my suggestions I overlooked one major resource.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s really so simple that I can\u2019t believe I totally missed it! Thankfully I was reminded of it by reading an article in a Russian-language magazine \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421\u043d\u043e\u0431\u00bb<\/strong><\/a> [Snob]. The article in the February issue was called \u00ab<\/strong>\u041a\u043e<\/span>\u0435-<\/strong>\u0447\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432\u043e <\/strong>\u043c\u043d\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [There\u2019s something Russian in me]. It was essentially a sampling of customs or character traits that are customarily thought of (by Russians themselves) as \u00ab<\/strong>\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [uniquely Russian].<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when it occurred to me that one of the ways to supercharge learning a language (any language, really) is to not just surround yourself with it on the outside, but to engage from within. Now I sound like a life coach, don\u2019t I?<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s talk about some of these uniquely Russian habits and thought patterns. Then you can pick and choose the ones you like most and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0431\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u0438\u0445\u00bb<\/strong> [try them out] for a little while. And if it doesn\u2019t work out, at least you\u2019ll learn some new phrases.<\/p>\n

#1 – \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u0440\u0438\u0441\u044f<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u043c <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043a\u0443\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\n

This means literally sitting down before getting on the road. When you are about to \u00ab<\/strong>\u0443\u0435<\/span>\u0445\u0430\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u0438\u0437 <\/strong>\u0434\u043e<\/span>\u043c\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [leave the house], you need to sit down in silence for a few moments. It doesn\u2019t apply to short trips or daily commutes, just the big long-distance ones.<\/p>\n

A helpful and related phrase that Russians use a lot is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u043c\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u0445\u00bb<\/strong> [to sit on suitcases]. It means \u201cpacked and ready to go\u201d as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u041e<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043f\u0443\u0441\u043a <\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0447\u0438\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0435\u0442\u0441\u044f <\/strong>\u043b\u0438\u0448\u044c <\/strong>\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u0437 <\/strong>\u0434\u0432\u0430 <\/strong>\u0434\u043d\u044f, <\/strong>\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u044f <\/strong>\u0443\u0436\u0435<\/span> <\/strong>\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0449\u0438 <\/strong>\u0443\u043f\u0430\u043a\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u0430 <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u0441\u0438\u0436\u0443<\/span> <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u043c\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u0445\u00bb<\/strong> [My vacation starts in two days, but I\u2019ve already packed my stuff and am ready to go.]<\/p>\n

A less cheerful meaning of this phrase is \u201cbeing in limbo\u201d as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u042f <\/strong>\u0441\u043d\u044f\u043b <\/strong>\u0434\u043e<\/span>\u043c\u0438\u043a <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0435 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u044e, <\/strong>\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0441\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u044e\u044e <\/strong>\u043c\u0438\u043d\u0443<\/span>\u0442\u0443 \u0445\u043e\u0437\u044f<\/span>\u0438\u043d \u043e\u0442\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430<\/span>\u043b. \u0418\u0449\u0443<\/span> <\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u0432\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0442, <\/strong>\u0430 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043a\u0430<\/span> <\/strong>\u0441\u0438\u0436\u0443<\/span> <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u043c\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u0445\u00bb <\/strong>[I rented a sea-side bungalow for a week, but the owner cancelled at the last moment. So I\u2019m looking for something else and, in the mean time, the situation is uncertain.]<\/p>\n

#2 – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043f\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ever been to a Russian home? Then you are familiar with the \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [footwear-changing] routine. Entering a house, you are supposed to leave your footwear in the hallway and immediately change into house slippers<\/a> provided by the host. Not taking the shoes off is a major faux pas, a sign of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0443\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043a <\/strong>\u0445\u043e\u0437\u044f<\/span>\u0435\u0432\u0430\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> [disrespecting the host]. The rule of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043f\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> holds rain or shine, carpets or hardwood, an informal get-together or a holiday party.<\/p>\n

#3 – \u00ab\u0422<\/strong>\u044c\u0444\u0443-<\/strong>\u0442\u044c\u0444\u0443-<\/strong>\u0442\u044c\u0444\u0443\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, the actual phrase is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u044c\u0444\u0443-<\/strong>\u0442\u044c\u0444\u0443-<\/strong>\u0442\u044c\u0444\u0443 <\/strong>\u0447\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0431\u044b <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u0433\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u0438\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [spit-spit-spit to ward off the evil eye], followed immediately by three knocks on wood (optional). If wood is nowhere to be found, feel free to (gently) knock yourself on the forehead. Note: when saying \u201cspit-spit-spit\u201d turn your head however slightly to the left.<\/p>\n

Use it liberally when good news are announced, as an answer to praise \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u0443 <\/strong>\u0441\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u043e\u043d\u0443\u00bb<\/strong> [directed at you], your family, people and things you care for, or when hopes and wishes for the future are expressed.<\/p>\n

#4 – \u00ab<\/strong>\u041a\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0433\u0430 – <\/strong>\u043b\u0443<\/span>\u0447\u0448\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u043e\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [a book is the best gift]<\/p>\n

Once upon a time, in not so distant past, Russians prided themselves on being \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u044e\u0449\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0446\u0438\u044f <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u043c\u0438<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [the world\u2019s leader in reading]. Books were treasured and never thrown away. Not having a car or a color TV or a stereo was a sign of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0438\u043d\u0442\u0435\u043b\u043b\u0438\u0433\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [poor intelligentsia]. But everyone knew that \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044c – <\/strong>\u044d<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [poverty is not a vice] Not having books in the house was a sign of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u043a\u0443\u043b\u044c\u0442\u0443<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [lack of culture].<\/p>\n

Newspapers were readily used as \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u0451<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u043e\u0447\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0431\u0443\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0433\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [wrapping paper], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0443\u0430\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0431\u0443\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0433\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [toilet paper] (seriously, was there a better use for the daily \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Pravda]?), to wash windows with, to use as bedding for hamsters, etc. But books, however poorly printed and bound or \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0434\u043e <\/strong>\u0434\u044b\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [read to tatters] were kept forever.<\/p>\n

#5 – \u00ab\u0425<\/strong>\u043b\u0435\u0431 <\/strong>\u0432\u0441\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span> <\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [bread is the staff of life]<\/p>\n

Speaking of things Russians are taught to never throw away\u2026 It is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0442\u044b<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [shameful] to waste food, but to throw away bread is downright \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u0440\u0435\u0448\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [sinful]. \u00ab<\/strong>\u0420\u0443\u043a\u0430<\/span> <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0435\u0442\u0441\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [don\u2019t have a heart to] throw away bread. Instead, use stale bread in cooking, make \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0443\u0445\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0438\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [croutons], feed birds with bread crumbs, or manufacture your own penicillin. Ok, that last one is a joke, but you get the point.<\/p>\n

#6 – \u00ab\u041f<\/strong>\u043e\u0441\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u043a\u0438 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u043a\u0443<\/span>\u0445\u043d\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [kitchen chats]<\/p>\n

For Russians the heart of a house is not its living room, but its kitchen. When friends stop by for a chat, they spend time in the kitchen, usually with a cup of tea and a \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0443\u0442\u0435\u0440\u0431\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u00bb<\/strong> [open-faced sandwich] or some \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [dessert]. At a more formal party, when the table is sat up in a \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [living room], the kitchen remains the main hub of activity and a place where most engaging and heartfelt conversations take place.<\/p>\n

#7 – \u00ab\u0414<\/strong>\u0430 <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0442, <\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [lit. yes no, maybe]<\/p>\n

I love this phrase and use it A LOT. So I was glad to see it in the aforementioned \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421\u043d\u043e\u0431\u00bb<\/strong> article. The closest English-language expression I can think of is \u201cdefinitely maybe\u201d although this is the case when most of the original meaning is lost in translation. The actual meaning of the phrase is \u201cI haven\u2019t really made up my mind one way or the other, but mostly likely it\u2019s going to be a no\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

UPDATE:<\/strong> I ran a highly unscientific poll amongst my Russian friends and relatives regarding the exact meaning of the phrase \u00ab\u0414\u0430 <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0442, <\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043d\u043e\u0435\u00bb. <\/strong>The results are in…<\/p>\n