Search by tag «Russian language» 71 results

• Davai, Poka: How Do We Say Goodbye in Russian and Why?

  Learning Russian isn’t a piece of cake. It might feel like confusion enters the chat right from the start. Even saying goodbye is challenging: there are multiple options and all of them weirdly enough have several unrelated meanings. Where does this variety of farewells come from? Let’s get to the bottom of it.

  26.05.2025

• 6 Words With Unexpected Russian Origins

  Balalaika, samovar, matryoshka – ask anyone which Russian words are known around the world and they’ll bring up one of these. But there are many words in English and other languages that we use on an everyday basis without even suspecting that they originated from, or were popularized by, the Russian language. Let’s learn more about them!

  28.04.2025

• Top Podcasts for Russian Learners

  Among the gazillion tools and resources for mastering Russian, podcasts are a perfect fit even for the busiest bee. In this article, we’ve put together projects that will not only help you boost your language skills, but also immerse you in local history and culture.

  18.03.2025

• 5 More Russian Words With Unexpected Origins

  As you’ve learned from our previous article, Russian, just as any other language, is ripe with fascinating stories of cultural exchange, historical trends, and even comical misunderstandings. What do China and France have to do with Russian oranges – and which pastry might strike horror into language purists' hearts? Find out below.

  17.03.2025

• The Four Lost Letters of the Russian Alphabet

  If you’ve ever seen any text printed or written in Russian over a hundred years ago, you might’ve noticed that the letters are quite different from the ones in use today. And it’s not all about the fonts – the alphabet itself has undergone a number of changes over the decades. So, which letters have we lost along the way?

  03.03.2025

• What’s in a Name: 4 Russian Words With Unexpected Origins

  One of the best parts of learning a language is the opportunity to dig deep into etymology – the study of words and their origins – and discover all sorts of lucky accidents, historic events, and incredible connections between distant cultures. Here are a few Russian words that conceal within themselves some truly fascinating stories.

  20.01.2025

• Must-Watch Russian Cartoons for Learners of Any Level

  Watching animated movies isn’t solely a fun pastime. Packed full with simple-to-grasp themes, authentic vocabulary, and vibrant visuals, they are also a great way to learn a language and its culture. For an efficient-yet-enjoyable learning experience, here’s a list of Russian cartoons for anyone from beginners to more advanced speakers, lovingly hand-picked by Svetlana Dorofeeva, a lecturer at ITMO's Foreign Language Training Center.

  06.01.2025

• 5 Toughest Russian Words to Pronounce

  These words may prove a challenge to a learner of the Russian language – but mastering them will be a sure sign that you’re on your way to high proficiency. Besides, they may also teach you a few things along the way!

  25.11.2024

• Speak Like a Russian: Zoomer Lingo

  In order to really feel like you’re a part of the conversation, just knowing the language isn’t always enough. If you’re learning Russian, one of the puzzling parts of talking to locals will be slang – such as the kind used by the youngest of your peers at university. Luckily, internet culture has made these terms more universal, and many may be intuitively understood by many English speakers; however, there are some notable – and often fascinating – differences. 

  28.10.2024

• The 5 Rarest Languages of Russia

  Did you know that some Russians speak the language of the Vikings? Or that there are quite a few unwritten languages still around, though previously considered extinct? This list contains five little-known languages in Russia that are spoken by a small number of people – including by just one person.

  23.08.2024