The aim of our twelfth Russian lesson is just to let you practice the language concepts that you already know. It is really a review lesson, althought we may introduce some vocabulary, and show you some different ways of using it. We will avoid introducing new grammar in this lesson

This Russian language lesson will be based on examples. We will try to use some Russian phrases and sentences that you might see in real situations.

Review each Russian phrase or sentence to make sure that you understand both the vocabulary and the structure of the sentence used. Take particular notice of the use of the four cases that we have learnt so far.

Russian Names

Note the use of the accusative case for pronouns in this construction.

Как вас зовут? - What is your name?
Меня зовут Вера. - My name is Vera.
Как её зовут? - What is her name?
Её зовут Алёна - Her name is Alyona.
Как его зовут? - What is his name?
Его зовут Борис - His name is Boris.

Here are some other common Russian names for men...

Николай - Nikolay (Коля)
Борис - Boris
Владимир - Vladimir (Володя, Вова)
Пётр - Pyotr, Peter.
Андрей - Andrey
Александр - Alexander (Саша, Шура)
Дмитрий - Dimitry (Дима)
Сергей - Sergey
Алексей - Aleksey

And here are some common Russian names for women.

Елена - Yelena (Лена)
Наталья - Natalya (Наташа)
Мария - Mariya (Маша)
Ольга - Olga (Оля)
Александра - Alexandra (Саша)
Оксана - Oxana
Екатерина - Yekaterina
Анастасия - Anastasiya (Настя)
Надежда - Nadezhda (Надя)
Анна - Anna (Аня)

Note: the form in brackets is the diminutive form of the name. This is like a pet name. (For example in English 'William' is also 'Will'). There are many diminuatives for each Russian name and they are commonly used. The diminuative is a more personal, or tender form, and should only be used when you are in close firendship. The exception is when a person introduces themself using this form.

Russian Greetings

Here are some Russian greetings that we learnt in earlier lessons. You should be able to remember all of these.

Здравствуйте - Hello
Привет - Hi (Informal)
Доброе утро - good morning
Добрый день - good afternoon
Добрый вечер - good evening
Спокойной ночи - goodnight (when going to bed)
Please and Thank-You
Never forget please and thank-you.
Спасибо - Thank-You
Пожалуйста - Please (and You're Welcome)

Really Small Russian Words

To help you remember, here is a summary of those really small Russian words that we have learnt. Some of these may be new, but try to learn them all. In fact all of these words are from the 100 most used words in the Russian language

и - and
а - and/but (contrasting)
но - but
или - or

The word "а" is generally used when you could use either the English words "and" or "but". For example, in the sentence "I am in Moscow and he is in Kiev.", the statements are related but contrast each other so you could also use the word "but". In Russian we would use the word "а".

These prepositions are commonly used in Russian

с - with
у - near, by (also used in the "to have" construction)
в, во - in (+prepositional), to (+accusative)
на - on, at (+prepositional), onto, to (+accusative)
о, об - about
к - towards, to
за - for (+accusative), behind (+instrumental)
из - out of, from
от - from
по - along, (also used with languages)

You should already know these pronouns. Refer to lesson 5 if you have forgotton.

я - I
он - he, it
ты - you (informal)
вы - you (formal/plural)
его - him, it
её - her, it
их - them

Using the Russian Language

Now we will give you some sample Russian sentences. You might also find some new words in these sentences. We will use only common words, so you should try to learn them all. Also pay attention to the different cases used for nouns and how verbs are formed.

Скажите, пожалуйста, где туалет? - Tell me please, where is the toilet?
У вас есть кофе? - Do you have coffee?
Кофе нет. - There is no coffee.
У вас есть чай? - Do you have tea?
Чая нет. - There is no tea.
Что вы хотите? - What do you want?
Я хочу чай, пожалуйста. - I want tea please.
Дайте, пожалуйста, кофе с молоком и с сахаром. - Please give me coffee with milk and with sugar.

Я знаю, что ты говоришь по-русски. - I know that you speak Russian.
Он любит говорить по-английски. - He loves to speak English
Моя мама любит музыку. - My mum loves music.
Твой брат говорит по-русски? - Does your borther speak Russian?
Да. Он хорошо говорит по-русски. - Yes. He speaks Russian well.
Собака не говорит по-английски. - The dog doesn't speak English.
Почему вы не говорите по-русски? - Why don't you speak Russian?

Я понимаю. - I understand.
Я не понимаю. - I don't understand.
Ты понимаешь? - Do you understand?
Я знаю, что вы понимаете. - I know that you understand.
Я думаю, что ты понимаешь. - I think that you understand.
Почему ты не понимаешь? - Why don't you understand?

Я живу в Лондоне - I live in London.
Он едет домой - He is going home.

Где? - Where?
Кто? - Who?
Что? - What?
Как? - How?
Когда? - When?\
Почему? - Why?
Что ты знаешь? - What do you know?
Что ты думаешь? - What do you think?
Где он? - Where is he?
Где кафе? - Where is the cafe?
Кто он? - Who is he?

Я читаю журнал - I am reading a magazine.
Я изучаю русский язык - I am studying the Russian language.
Я слушаю музыку - I am listening to music.
Я очень люблю спорт - I really love sport.
Я очень люблю Москву - I really love Moscow.

сколько стоит? - How much?
сто рублей - 100 roubles.
сколько стоит? - How much?
четыре доллара - 4 dollars.

Conclusion

This is mainy a review lesson, so you should make sure that you understand most of the Russian language above. Try learning the above phrases by covering up the English and then translating for yourself. You should also try to form some of your own Russian sentences and phrases.

Source: russianlessons.net

Russian for foreigners