“Cheers!” means “За ваше здоровье!” (“Za vashe zdarov’e!”). When you propose a toast to smb.’s health, you say this phrase. “Cheers!” is also “Спасибо!” (“Spasiba!”), “Ура!” (“Ura!”) and “Пока!” (“Paka!”) in Russian. “Спасибо!” (“Thank you!”) and “Пока!” (“Bye!”) are interjections from the field of etiquette. “Spasiba” expresses gratitude. “Paka!” is a greeting which you use… Read More »
“How are you?” is “Как делишки?” (“Kak delishki?”) in Russian if it’s an informal phrase (slang). You can use it with your friends and buddies. But basically, schoolchildren and teenagers only use it. An adult can say it to his friends or children to show that he is on friendly terms with them. Also “How… Read More »
“I’m learning Russian” means “Я учу русский” (“Ya uchu russkiy”). You can go into detail and say, “I’m learning Russian by myself” which means “Я учу русский самостоятельно” (“Ya uchu russkiy samostoyatel’no”). “I’m studying Russian with a tutor” is “Я учу русский с репетитором” (“Ya uchu russkiy s repetitorom”). “I’m taking Russian lessons” is “Я… Read More »
“My” means “мой, моя, моё” (“moy, moya, moyo”) in Russian. If we are speaking about a female, we say “моя” (“moya”), about a male – “мой” (“moy”), about a neuter gender – “моё” (“moyo”). In some cases “my” can be translated like “свой” (“svoy”). But there is no this possessive pronoun in the English language.… Read More »
“Is” means “является” (“yavlyaetsya”) или “находится” (“nakhoditsya”) in Russian. But this verb is omitted in the Russian language. If you mean “I’m at home” you say, “Я дома” (“Ya doma.”) instead of “Я нахожусь дома” (“Ya nakhozhus’ doma”.). If you mean “I’m a teacher” you say, “Я учитель” (“Ya uchitel’”.) instead of “Я являюсь учителем”… Read More »
“How are you?” is “Как дела?” (“Kak dela?”) in Russian. You can emphasize “Как дела на работе?”. It means “How is work going?”. This question can be used with friends and acquaintances. If you are addressing a person in a formal situation, it would be better to say, “Как у Вас дела?” (“Kak u Vas… Read More »
“Are you from Russia?” means “Ты из России?” (“Ty iz Rossii?”) in Russian. You also can ask whether a person is Russian. “Are you Russian?” is “Ты русский?” (“Ty russkiy?”) in Russian. But it’s not a correct question in some way in Russia since there are about 200 peoples there. So technically a person is… Read More »
English “Good day!” is an analog of Russian “Доброго времени суток!” (“Dobrava vremeni sutak!”). It’s used when you are corresponding with a person from a different time zone. So you don’t know what exactly time (part) of day will be when he is going to read your e-mail. But “Good day!” also has another meaning.… Read More »
“Have a good day!” is “Хорошего дня!” (“Harosheva dnya!”). You can wish somebody to have a good day in the morning or in the afternoon. You should use this phrase at the end of a conversation. If the situation is official, you can add “Вам” (“Vam”) and say, “Хорошего Вам дня!” (“Harosheva Vam dnya!”). It… Read More »
Sometimes it can feel like translating between two languages is particularly difficult. Between keeping cultural references in context, making sure the feel of the translation remains the same as the original and finding just the right diction in the new tongue, it can be something of a juggling act. Then, certain languages throw a monkey… Read More »
About 20 years ago, when studying Russian, you have to find a paper dictionary, spending considerable time searching for even one word! Now, it is enough to make 2-3 clicks in order to find out what an unfamiliar word means and within a few seconds to learn the translation. Technology does not stand still! Today… Read More »
“Good night!” is “Доброй ночи!” (“Dobrai nochi!”) in Russian. TV-hosts started using this phrase on late-night TV. Then it became popular everywhere. This phrase is used to greet a person during a phone conversation. Also it’s a way to bid farewell in a friendly way before going to bed. “Good night!” can be translated like… Read More »