A Spoonful of Russian - Learn Russian Online from Russian Tutor

Today I fill a request of one of my Podcast listeners/ YouTube subscribers by reciting a short poem written by one of Russia's greatest talents - Anna Akhmatova. Лотова Жена - Анна Ахматова (Lot's Wife - Anna Akhmatova). To view the text: <a href="http://youtu.be/2fEWD9bqAWk">http://youtu.be/2fEWD9bqAWk</a><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2fEWD9bqAWk" width="560"></iframe>

The video that goes with this episode can be found on my YouTube channel: <a href="http://youtu.be/bUb103LP9CM" target="_blank">Episode 031</a><br /> <div> <br /> Toasting is a huge thing in Russia. Has been for ages. A full glass must be drunk to the bottom after every toast, because “a toast without wine is like a wedding without a bride!” A traditional Russian drinking party usually includes a sequence of several standard toasts.<br /> <br /> <br /> You can refresh them by watching my <a href="http://youtu.be/lu8LAh_66As">Most Common Russian Drinking Toasts/Phrases video</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bUb103LP9CM" width="640"></iframe> </div> <br /> <br /> <br /> The most common first toast is...<br /> <br /> To our meeting!<br /> За встречу!<br /> [za FSTRYE-tchoo] … sort of an ice-breaker toast:) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Another good opener toast is…<br /> <br /> <br /> To our health!<br /> Будем здоровы!<br /> [BOO-dem zda-RO-vy]<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The toasts that follow largely depend on the occasion that brought the people together. At a birthday party, the first toast (with wishes of health, success and a long life) is usually to the birthday guy or lady. The second toast is to their parents as a sign of honor.<br /> <br /> At a wedding, the first toast is “To the health of the newlyweds.” After that, the guests shout "Горько!"(Gorko!) often and loudly, all through the banquet. “Gorko” literally means "bitter” in Russian, implying the bitterness the wine being drunk. By yelling that the wine is bitter, the guests are inviting the newlyweds to make it sweeter by giving each other a sweet long kiss. As the bride and groom kiss, the guests count the seconds: “Один! Два! Три! Четыре! Пять! ... One, two, three, four, five..." until the kiss is over, whereupon they raise their glasses in a toast.<br /> <br /> At a funeral banquet, the first part of the toast is usually an uplifting or touching story about the dearly departed; it is concluded with the words Пусть земля ему/ей будет пухом! Вечная память! (Let the ground in which he/she rests be like goose down. Eternal memory to (him/her). When people in Russia drink to the dead it is customary not to clink glasses. <br /> <br /> Without a doubt towards the middle of the party someone usually proposes a toast “За женщин”! “To beautiful ladies!” or “To the ladies present here!" At this point someone else usually says that real men stand up when they drink a toast to beautiful ladies, and they drink to the bottom. All the gentlemen present promptly comply.<br /> <br /> The last toast, “На посошок!” / “Na pososhok", is usually pronounced when the guests are about to leave. In olden days, travelers used a walking stick, called posokh or, diminutively, pososhok in Russian, during long journeys. A toast to the walking stick, therefore, is meant to make sure that the return journey is safe.<br /> <br /> Learn some Russian today!

The video that goes with this episode can be found on my YouTube channel: <a href="http://youtu.be/lxxxi6pSySk" target="_blank">Episode 030</a><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Asking questions in Russian can be quite a daunting and intimidating task, especially if you try to follow the proper grammar rules of declention, gender agrement, etc. What if you are a beginner? Should you not even try? Of course not.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">By knowing basic Russian interrogatives, you'll be able to express your questions, even without an extensive vocabulary or grammar knowledge. Lots of times you don’t even need to form a complete sentence to ask a question. All you need is to know the ‘question word’ and your pointer finger:)</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Learn some Russian today!</span><br /> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lxxxi6pSySk" width="640"></iframe>

Ever wanted to pronounce the days of the week in Russian like a native? Piece of cake!<br /> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /></div> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jX2kbPkdWEM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzKvl3jmbWX9E4RdBqC2TnQaU_1aihsK5GmVRgKpWUxoSeWlR6x4XouKj29FrfQ8dmbEZnt17Koc9NyXdYXcVv0RpYHg534JvSaGvtZiWywTiykwVVR5u1ZOMPK00FHQHLOPz/s1600/112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzKvl3jmbWX9E4RdBqC2TnQaU_1aihsK5GmVRgKpWUxoSeWlR6x4XouKj29FrfQ8dmbEZnt17Koc9NyXdYXcVv0RpYHg534JvSaGvtZiWywTiykwVVR5u1ZOMPK00FHQHLOPz/s1600/112.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <br /></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today’s spoonful is going to consist of a useful Russian phrase and a poem in Russian. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the poem. The reason for reading out loud is so that you can get more familiar with the Russian sounds. </span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you’ve probably noticed I started this podcast with the expression </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Добрый день </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">translated as ‘Good afternoon’. There is also </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Доброе утро</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (‘Good morning’) and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Добрый вечер</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (‘Good evening’). So when is the appropriate time of the day to use these expressions? Most Russians use the following time frames for them. For example, use </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Доброе утро</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from 6am till noon. Use </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Добрый день</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from noon till 6pm...and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Добрый ве

Ever wanted to know how to call your family members in Russian? I don't mean nicknames:) I mean official titles.<br /> <br />   <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4p2mNCYQ6GM" width="640"></iframe>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yKGcsrWiYYY" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> Almost everybody has a book that they read and re-read in their childhood. When we read it again as adults it takes us back into the wonderful world of childhood fantasies and dreams.<br /> <br /> I have a book like that too. In Russian it was called "<b>О чём думает моя голова</b>". Translated into English "<b>What's on My Mind</b>". It's a collection of short stories about 2 elementary school girls, the best of friends. About their everyday adventures, how they made friends, how they took revenge on enemies, tried to avoid problems at school, how they pleaded with their parents to adopt a puppy, and more. Basically, I saw myself in one of those girls. The best part is that the narrator  is one of the girls, and you can really hear a 3rd-grader talking. Kids come alive in the pages of the book. <br /> <br /> I am lucky enough to have the very same copy of my favorite book with me. Today I wanted to share the first chapter with you. If you are a beginner and cannot follow, don't despair. Simply hearing the Russian speech will aid you in your studies. I am reading at a normal speed.<br /> <br /> О Чём Думает Моя Голова - читаем вслух

<br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HSqofKXWoto" width="640"></iframe> <br /> Many of you probably know that Russians have always been big on celebrating the New Year rather than Christmas.<br /> <br /> After the 1917 Revolution, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, along with other religious celebrations. It wasn't until 75 years later, in 1992, that the holiday was openly observed.<br /> <br /> Today, it's once again celebrated in grand fashion, with the faithful participating in an all-night Mass in incense-filled Cathedrals amidst the company of fellow believers and the painted icons of the Saints of old.<br /> <br /> The Russian Orthodox Church still uses the old Julian calendar; therefore, its Christmas celebration falls on January 7th. It's a day of both solemn ritual and joyous celebration. Before this date, Orthodox Russians fast for 40 days. The Lent period ends with the first star in the night sky on January 6 -- a symbol of Jesus Christ's birth. Many Orthodox Christians go to the church to attend a Christmas liturgy that evening.<br /> <br /> So today It would be more than appropriate to teach you how to say Merry Christmas in Russian.<br /> <br /> 'Merry Christmas' will be <b>'С Рождеством Христовым' </b><br /> <br /> (S Rozh-deh-stvom Khris-to-vym)

<br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lu8LAh_66As" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <i>Most Common Russian Drinking Toasts</i>. There are more, but these will get you started:)

<br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Mw_BcpzGz0I" width="640"></iframe> <b><u><br /></u></b> <b><u>Little Fir Tree (В Лесу Родилась Ёлочка).  </u></b><br /> <br /> This is the most popular Russian New Year's song. Every Russian knows it. It's something that no winter holiday can do without. The song was born in 1903 and since then it brings joy and excitement to Russian kids just like that little fir tree from the song.<br /> <br /> Автор текста (слов): Кудашева Раиса Адамовна<br /> Композитор (музыка): Бекман Леонид Карлович<br /> <br /> <br /> "В лесу родилась елочка"<br /> <br /> В лесу родилась елочка,<br /> В лесу она росла,<br /> Зимой и летом стройная,<br /> Зеленая была.<br /> Зимой и летом стройная,<br /> Зеленая была.<br /> <br /> Метель ей пела песенку:<br /> "Спи, елочка, бай-бай!"<br /> Мороз снежком укутывал:<br /> "Смотри, не замерзай!"<br /> Мороз снежком укутывал:<br /> "Смотри, не замерзай!"<br /> <br /> Трусишка - зайка серенький<br /> Под елочкой скакал.<br /> Порою волк, сердитый волк,<br /> Рысцою пробегал.<br /> Порою волк, сердитый волк,<br /> Рысцою пробегал.<br /> <br /> Чу! Снег по лесу частому<br /> Под полозом скрипит;<br /> Лошадка мохноногая<br /> Торопится, бежит.<br /> Лошадка мохноногая<br /> Торопится, бежит.<br /> <br /> Везет лошадка дровеньки,<br /> А в дровнях старичок,<br /> Срубил он нашу елочку<br /> Под самый корешок.<br /> Срубил он нашу елочку<br /> Под самый корешок.<br /> <br /> Теперь ты здесь нарядная,<br /> На праздник к нам пришла,<br /> И много, много радости<br /> Детишкам принесла.<br /> И много, много радости<br /> Детишкам принесла<br /> ------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> (the English Translation)<br /> <br /> In the woods a spruce was born,<br /> It was growing in the wood<br /> In summer and winter<br /> it was straight and green.<br /> <br /> The blizzard sang it a lullaby:<br /> Sleep dear spruce, sleep tight!<br /> The frost put snow around it saying:<br /> Don't freeze!<br /> <br /> The timid grey rabbit<br /> hopped under the tree,<br /> From time to time<br /> The angry wolf just trotted by.<br /> <br /> Hush, listen! Deep in the woods<br /> Snow scratches under a sleigh.<br /> A heavy horse<br /> Runs smoothly.<br /> <br /> The sleigh carries firewood,<br /> and in it was an old man<br /> He chopped it down<br /> at the very roots.<br /> <br /> And here it is,<br /> all dressed up,<br /> it's come to us for the holiday<br /> And lots and lots of happiness<br /> it brought to the children.<br /> <br /> <br />

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CGtPUxAJPlA" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> Borrowing:<br /> <br /> The best way to think about the borrowed words in Russian is from a historical perspective. The influx of foreign words came in waves depending on what country or culture had influence in Russia:<br /> <br /> • Byzantine influence and conversion to Christianity: influx of Greek words<br /> <br /> • The reign of Peter the Great: influx of German and Dutch words (e.g. шлагбаум,  гастарбайтер, бутерброд and so on)<br /> <br /> • End of 20th century, perestroyka (перестройка) and post-soviet Russia, globalization: influx of English words<br /> <br /> • There are many words of French origin (because Russians have been fascinated with French culture, especially in 18-19 centuries), for example шансон, авангард and many others<br /> <br /> • There are a few of Japanese words in Russian, such as самурай, банзай, хокку, каратэ, цунами, etc.<br /> <br /> • Some Chinese words - женьшень, тайфун, чай, шарпей, фэншуй etc<br /> <br /> • Some Turkic words - башка, сундук, казна, утюг, чугун, шашлык, алыча, амбар, сарай, халат etc.<br /> <br /> <br /> In this video I mention just a few borrowed words. Knowing them will give you confidence to go on learning.

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A fun way to learn Russian is by learning the words with opposite meanings. Here are some antonyms for you.<br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oPinuPT3d70" width="640"></iframe> <br> Stay in touch:<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> - site: http://speakrussian.blogspot.com<br /> - voicemail: 209-980-7877 (209-980-RUSS)<br /> - email: [email protected]<br /> - twitter: @russianspoonful

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://youtu.be/phdpLHLu8hY" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDCuWZRhd1zUcMkAiMJygus7f_5TNdPTYA6RDkZYGnjmVG1oPeNHzWu0CtE2bmxRC2XYGXExSE7gyBNXiCuB_MOzxGFpIm5GyXTi27XoYu_mTeYqkJv4w-1Et94Z3SN_x8XKP/s640/Q+and+A+cover.jpg" width="640" /></a><span id="goog_670871236"></span><span id="goog_670871237"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div> <br /> <br /> Здравствуйте и добро пожаловать … Hello and welcome to the very first 'Questions and Answers' edition of A Spoonful of Russian Podcast. Coming to you from a small home studio in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina.<br /> <br /> Instead of trying to find time to get back to each and everyone of you individually through email, I decided to start accumulating the questions and answering them in a podcast. I am thinking of getting one out once a month maybe. I am getting questions sporadically. Sometimes several a day, sometimes nothing for days in a row. My hope is to have a large pool of questions to pull from. That way you can count on regular Q&A sessions.<br /> <br /> Ways to get your questions over to me:<br /> <br /> - contact form on my site: <a href="http://speakrussian.blogspot.com/">speakrussian.blogspot.com</a><br /> - Leave a quick voicemail calling: 209-980-7877 (209-980-RUSS)<br /> - email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><br /> - twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/russianspoonful" target="_blank">@russianspoonful </a>(with hashtag #askNataliaW )<br /> - YouTube: <a href="http://youtube.com/spoonfulofrussian">youtube.com/spoonfulofrussian</a><br /> <br /> I am aware that many of you prefer to listen to podcasts rather than go to my YouTube channel and view content there. I myself am an avid listener of a handful of podcasts. When I am cooking in my kitchen or lifting weights in my garage I do not really want to look at a video. Truth is we all consume media in different ways depending on our activities. So, hopefully you, guys, will find this format useful and enjoyable.<br /> <br /> <i>This would typically be a time in a podcast where I'd share with you a quick word from my sponsors, but I don't have any sponsors! I've been podcasting since 2005 when the whole podcast phenomena was rolled out by Steve Jobs. Since then several companies approached me, but none of them seemed like a good match for the content of this podcast. So, I'm still waiting for my advertising 'prince' … for the business marriage made in Heaven. Make me an offer I can't refuse, and you will not be 'sleeping with the fishes'. So if you are a huge corporation with lots of spare change in your pockets listening to me now, reach out by emailing me:</i> <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected]</a><br /> <br /> <b>### What do you think about the Hollywood actors' Russian accent?</b><br /> <br /> MOSFILM (Мосфильм) has been the largest and oldest film studio in Russia. It was founded in 1920 and its output includes most of the widely-acclaimed Soviet-era films.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosfilm" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosfilm</a><br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/mosfilm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/mosfilm</a><br /> <br /> Some of my favorites:<br /> <br /> -  1968 War and Peace (Война и Мир)<br /> -  1968 The Diamond Arm (Бриллиантовая Рука)<br /> -  1973  Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future (Иван Васильевич меняет профессию)<br /> -  1975 The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy your Banya! (Ирония судьбы, или С лёгким паром!)<br /> -  1977 Office Romance (Служебный Романс)<br /> -  1979 Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears (Москва Слезам не Верит)<br /> -  1985 Love and Doves (Любовь и Голуби)<br /> <br /> Here's the interview with Andrei Tarkovsky, a critically acclaimed Soviet film director:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://vimeo.com/2963155" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/2963155</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <b>### In the age of instant information exchange and assimilation of cultures do Russian emigrants still hold on to some "Russian-only" traditions and ways?</b><br /> <br /> That is a great question. Very well-constructed I might add:) I agree that today cultural borders are getting less and less defined. Internet, I think, is mainly to thank for that. I remember

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IYHFkctFJOU" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Final Part 3 of Крокодил (The Crocodile) by </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Korney Chukovsky.</span></span>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HjHQYE2twSM" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Part 2 of Крокодил (The Crocodile) by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Korney Chukovsky. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Крокодил (часть 2) Корнея Чуковского.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6uDFmnpDDv4" width="640"></iframe>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oNGSe4D-DCA" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Russian Poems series. "Stars" by Sergei Esenin.</span>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7_K14O-OLr8" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> Learn some Russian words related to weather, seasons, and pets.<br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Twitter @russianspoonful</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Email:  [email protected]</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iNGfKNJsJWo" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <br /> Russian Stress Patterns ( Accented Vs Unaccented Vowels)<br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Greeting by a subscriber (Thank you, Emily) - Спасибо!<br /> <br /> 2. BIG thanks to all who show their support by:<br /> <br /> - purchasing authentic Russian food at <a href="http://www.russiantable.com/store/affiliate/b.asp?id=512" target="_blank">Russiantable.com</a> also via a banner<br /> <br /> 3. Lesson - Russian Stress Patterns ( Accented Vs Unaccented Vowels)<br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Contact<br /> <br /> <br /> Twitter @russianspoonful<br /> Email:  [email protected]<br /> Website: speakrussian.blogspot.com<br /> <br /> You can also leave a voicemail by dialing 209-980-RUSS (209-980-7877) and I will play your recording on the air and will try my best to answer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> p.s. I also appreciate your rating of the podcast in iTunes:)<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gLI-hkLfa9w" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> Learn some sport-related vocabulary words in Russian.

Inspired by last night's thunderstorm, our next poem is by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fyodor_Tyutchev">Ф.И. Тютчев</a> "Весенняя Гроза".<br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4yI6cC7fG5w" width="640"></iframe> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YyJhRmOjDhG_Mq6ZocOs3QTXqxwtMawSvGVFsDX0tFdBxCH7oWqOAAqHftYt_gW6EFN0MCezccDzuCFDnfCwVHsXYLYFSxnazmw566mheFiEpPjdCG9cI5iJGRW5-eRaL9bM/" height="640" width="431" /><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebe_(mythology)" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgjtKI5xQW5QFac37_z3P49DagSH79QUVIx8RFtcX6j8i0BwR6iys36JHeZ7IWJlsHg-_Bpf5xoJ_VC8EWxFC6FDMsoj87Q1LrelVTlnkaVGgvk2B6_7ARq09WTSThRg2LfuB/s1600/1.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtofgpQoqcY9DS70ZWptJuyxnNphyphenhyphencJAz_HgaXokqlRKID52v5viSQeqBu2gB-EH4MiV47UZlVzGoCUXavHJwPI2hSjDbeuqyN9OfwHo8cjXite4qa9VpASP50thkV6fiMdOwl/" height="370" width="400" /><br /> <br /> English translation by <a href="http://www.poezia.ru/article.php?sid=42249" target="_blank">Dmitri Obolensky</a><br /> <br /> <br />

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBBcahuwT5GlzH28fdhZwVVBsjIAy7IqJwfFMllYc1TaAlnx3SWWLr8rwF4fhv3epsfFtPFHDiXDxI8QEP54pCL2p_VC9QH3m3VY85jt2-OpqrQ39gZl074l-K4GPKYkbiD8z/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBBcahuwT5GlzH28fdhZwVVBsjIAy7IqJwfFMllYc1TaAlnx3SWWLr8rwF4fhv3epsfFtPFHDiXDxI8QEP54pCL2p_VC9QH3m3VY85jt2-OpqrQ39gZl074l-K4GPKYkbiD8z/s320/photo+(1).JPG" height="320" width="310" /></a></div> Subscribers spoke. Some of you mentioned you would enjoy listening to Russian spoken without thinking of grammar. I've been thinking of doing it for a while now. <i>Auditory training</i> is an integral part of <i>any</i> foreign language learning.<br /> <div> <br /></div> <div> Thus, I created a dedicated playlist within my YouTube channel. I hope to fill it with masterful creations of Russian poets. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Question: would any of the parents of young kids out there be interested in Russian fairy tale/poetry/short stories recorded by 'yours truly'? </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /></div> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5YXEYXcV2rs" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Finally, I am not ashamed of the audio quality. Just received my RODE Podcaster mic back from repair!<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAyhqGQVAGDPycgtmUzkGSYkO7b4bAkDkWxzrY-ZWfv-VMmZHOmMwZimW03iAAhbiMkXbmNteoq1SDax_zyEbkqK0__DVxE_JRv0EbFOwUBRDEA9Wxhi6iuFYKtoOv96oL8uf/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAyhqGQVAGDPycgtmUzkGSYkO7b4bAkDkWxzrY-ZWfv-VMmZHOmMwZimW03iAAhbiMkXbmNteoq1SDax_zyEbkqK0__DVxE_JRv0EbFOwUBRDEA9Wxhi6iuFYKtoOv96oL8uf/s640/photo+(2).JPG" height="640" width="473" /></a></div> <br />

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5v7zZ6RVIXBBzDi6AUcBrISYzDui_l3MIZFVrbZSdSRHMloLYePbgVNxBletoLoW7X9w-OCXfrCztMwr3T-Kn5RYxbwOlLiId7843rTj32xuNB4MfdadS1XQK19TyC06Xfuu1/s1600/2012-09-30+12.09.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5v7zZ6RVIXBBzDi6AUcBrISYzDui_l3MIZFVrbZSdSRHMloLYePbgVNxBletoLoW7X9w-OCXfrCztMwr3T-Kn5RYxbwOlLiId7843rTj32xuNB4MfdadS1XQK19TyC06Xfuu1/s320/2012-09-30+12.09.58.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Just to change the pace a little, my daughter Emily and I are trying our hand at covering one of the most popular contemporary Russian songs originally performed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alla_Pugacheva" target="_blank">Alla Pugacheva</a> and her daughter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristina_Orbakaite" target="_blank">Kristina</a>. Those two don't need introduction.<br /> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS1mZOy7vD1wSo1Xqp-Fvq3p4DT7UOajN418IgEoEskonsMODclaVaOfN2Zy9FQnQDPqOZY3jI6dnxJk7Vb0sGB4ZKOg41C5hiSnEHmWGUamDHa-Lc6Gz3sUHgDxNqC-jMMAz/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS1mZOy7vD1wSo1Xqp-Fvq3p4DT7UOajN418IgEoEskonsMODclaVaOfN2Zy9FQnQDPqOZY3jI6dnxJk7Vb0sGB4ZKOg41C5hiSnEHmWGUamDHa-Lc6Gz3sUHgDxNqC-jMMAz/s400/photo.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://archive.org/embed/OpyatMetel" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="640"></iframe> </div> <div> <br /></div>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mhW_sI8oLIY" width="640"></iframe> <br /> Lesson on bilabial stop consonants [p] [b] and dental consonants [n] [t] [d]<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Greeting by a subscriber (Thank you, Jeanette, and Happy Birthday!) - Спасибо! С днём рождения!<br /> <br /> 2. Recommendation of recording apps<br /> <br /> - Voice Record Pro (for iOS)<br /> - Hi-Q mp3 Voice Recorder (for Android)<br /> <br /> Another way - Google voice 209-980-RUSS (209-980-7877)<br /> <br /> BIG thanks to all who show their support by:<br /> <br /> - purchasing authentic Russian food at <a href="http://www.russiantable.com/store/affiliate/b.asp?id=512" target="_blank">Russiantable.com</a> also via a banner<br /> <br /> 3. Lesson - bilabial stop consonants [p] [b] and dental consonants [n] [t] [d]<br /> <br /> <br /> Twitter @russianspoonful<br /> Email:  [email protected]<br /> Website: speakrussian.blogspot.com<br /> <br /> You can also leave a voicemail by dialing 209-980-RUSS (209-980-7877) and I will play your recording on the air and will try my best to answer<br /> <br /> p.s. my apologies again for the sub-par sound. IPad's mic produces uneven sound even with a slight deviation from it. Can't wait till I get a Mac!<br /> <br /> p.p.s. I also appreciate your rating of the podcast in iTunes:)<br /> <br /> To all my Russian friends: "С Днём Победы!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMgHbG8fK7DxE-L4Cy5izFFbjRn2Lt5IB4yNPD5pgiOlW7_dZGWZQuFhXYkCBwAXfsaXL3gZ_EJGvBT_UL8NUofaN0c85PLhMPV16aJR8aTYFs-VwTf0J9Z2yCm2fLuqsbOXx/" /><br /> <div> <br /></div>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9zotvgb-3rE" width="640"></iframe> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Russian accented vowels sound much richer and fuller than their English equivalents. That is because Russian is spoken much more vigorously than is English - there is greater muscular tension throughout the organs used in speech production.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>

<br /> <div style="font: 22.0px Gill Sans; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jKCqBt6vZP5C9ZHh2tshCHjRORSSnwXZboUKVwJh8xvR0fVKsAfGd4hEuR5uw526wvjGWBLBHqB-mdYoSPmd9pT-fHFJjyT-hS8v4KnkrAwW1cPgNwAnQ7wgpMm7F7Vp9OdV/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jKCqBt6vZP5C9ZHh2tshCHjRORSSnwXZboUKVwJh8xvR0fVKsAfGd4hEuR5uw526wvjGWBLBHqB-mdYoSPmd9pT-fHFJjyT-hS8v4KnkrAwW1cPgNwAnQ7wgpMm7F7Vp9OdV/s400/photo.PNG" width="300" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Ученье свет, а неученье тьма</span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(<i>Knowledge is light, ignorance is darkness</i>)</span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 25px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Век живи - век учись</span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(<i>Live and learn</i>)</span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 25px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the last one is quoted around our house quite often:)</span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 25px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Повторенье - мать ученья</span></div> <div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Gill Sans'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(<i>Repetition is the Mother of learning</i>)</span></div> <br /> <div style="font: 22.0px Gill Sans; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"> I thought I would start talking about the Russian sound system. Since I want to be true to the podcast's format and keep it short'n'sweet and to the point ... It will take us several lessons. </div> <div style="font: 22.0px Gill Sans; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"> <br /></div> <div style="font: 22.0px Gill Sans; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"> Some of the items used for pronunciation practice will be isolated syllables or words whose meaning is of no immediate relevance, while others will be complete sentences that you will be able to add to your Russian phrase book and practice it as often as you'd like. You should not concern yourself with the grammatical forms of the sentences used at this point. You should simply learn them in the form given to you, striving to imitate your teacher as closely as possible. You must always keep in mind the importance of the spoken models presented.  While descriptions, transcriptions, and diagrams maybe of some help, you should rely mainly on the spoken model in your attempts to approximate the sound patterns in Russian. Remember always that at the early stage of instruction it is the sounds of the language that are our primary concern, not the written forms, which are a secondary and imperfect sy

Today we'll talk about nouns and genders. Keep in mind that we are going to look only at singular nouns in nominative case (more on the 6 noun cases later).<br /> <br /> As you know, a noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, event or idea. All Russian nouns are divided into 3 genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. It's important to know the gender of a noun, since it needs to agree with other parts of speech. Let me give you an example: красив<span style="color: red;">ая</span> девушк<span style="color: red;">а</span> (a pretty girl) is correct, while красив<span style="color: #000099;">ый</span> девушк<span style="color: red;">а</span> is not. Ending <span style="color: #000099;">-ый</span> of the adjective красив<span style="color: #000099;">ый</span> denotes masculine gender.<br /> <br /> Learning gender rules is not an easy process. Many times you will be able to determine the gender of a noun simply by using your biology knowledge. Ex.: мальчик (masculine), девочка (feminine), etc. But most of the time noun gender is random and unchangeable. Gender rules MUST be memorized. However, the secret is simple: the ending of a noun determines its gender. After learning a few rules you'll be able to instantly recognize whether nouns are masculine, feminine or neuter.<br /> <br /> Here's a Russian Noun Genders table for your convenience.(Click the table for an enlarged view)<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKImDHqOAM7z7tJdANfByMscm9mdMpFtZ5Jl5mc826bq6fUK8gNMzyMaBmdX0lmE6K3JaLCB2UvcOQazLuvR1sMbAo7mwQrZ0lWUr5E9_yL2HDrLjxQib0sm_UBHngNSZQw_-/s1600-h/screenshot3.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062206257792332706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKImDHqOAM7z7tJdANfByMscm9mdMpFtZ5Jl5mc826bq6fUK8gNMzyMaBmdX0lmE6K3JaLCB2UvcOQazLuvR1sMbAo7mwQrZ0lWUr5E9_yL2HDrLjxQib0sm_UBHngNSZQw_-/s400/screenshot3.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Highlights:</span><br /> <br /> *Every Russian noun has a gender (masculine, feminine or neuter)<br /> *Every adjective or verb must agree with the gender of a Russian noun (and pronoun)<br /> *Most masculine nouns end in a consonant, as well as -ь or -й<br /> *Feminine nouns usually end in -а, as well as -я, -ия, and -ь<br /> *Most neuter nouns end in -о or -е, but can also take endings like -ие, and -[м]я<br /> *A handful of Russian nouns appear to be feminine by their endings, are in fact masculine. Commit them to memory!<br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW04mFJaWlsbARgznQYgbMmWcPE6muP1GwLgirAul9DarsR2KzXzv1qQEueCJEfMm_mP5vrpBt1OodVRpatLEyfbSZEc8Z0NME38D9BMM2zaCjN8uJ6Ras2hsUE_Y2rUaF_Gi1/s1600-h/image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062242043459842994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW04mFJaWlsbARgznQYgbMmWcPE6muP1GwLgirAul9DarsR2KzXzv1qQEueCJEfMm_mP5vrpBt1OodVRpatLEyfbSZEc8Z0NME38D9BMM2zaCjN8uJ6Ras2hsUE_Y2rUaF_Gi1/s400/image.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> It's been a while since I added a Russian song to my podcast. So many of you requested this feature back! I promise to add one when I get a chance to obtain license-free Russian music. May 9th is the Victory Day in Russia. (День Победы). To mark this day I am including a well-known song from the Soviet era called «В землянке» - "In the Dugout" performed by Михаил Гулько.<br /> <br /> Here are the lyrics of the song and its translation.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">В землянке</span><br /> Музыка: К.Листов Слова: А.Сурков<br /> <br /> Бьется в тесной печурке огонь, <br /> На поленьях смола, как слеза. <br /> И поет мне в землянке гармонь <br /> Про улыбку твою и глаза. <br /> <br /> Про тебя мне шептали кусты <br /> В белоснежных полях под Москвой. <br /> Я хочу, чтобы слышала ты, <br /> Как тоскует мой голос живой. <br /> <br /> Ты сейчас далеко, далеко, <br /> Между нами снега и снега. <br /> До тебя мне дойти не легко, <br /> А до смерти - четыре шага. <br /> <br /> Пой, гармоника, вьюге назло, <br /> Заплутавшее счастье зови. <br /> Мне в холодной землянке тепло <br /> От моей негасимой любви. <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">В землянке&

<a href="http://youtu.be/rTRs7j5u3Fc" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057210064070816658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT4ia0xLLaLctbQi4tgLt1w-epEMI6XHTNm1qjLtmcwD677ASGGtftemw0DIkTsMzfm4caExAg8M6xz-M5SNDISL_TMbwBJkHEPHPCFCC3nJdbKkAFGN4FVgR8fV8F4Q1ZSTb/s400/Screenshot_1.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /> 'Привет', my old friends, and 'Здравствуйте', my new listeners! Welcome to Lesson 22 of 'A Spoonful of Russian with Natalia'. I am Natalia, your host and instructor. And today we are going to finish the Russian Cursive Letters series.<br /> <br /> But before we start, I want to thank again all those of you who support this podcast by first of all, keeping subscribed, also by purchasing <span style="font-style: italic;">Rosetta Stone's software</span> through the link on my site (that really helps), and via PayPal donations. There's another and rather fun way of supporting the show - by getting a little souvenir from my <span style="font-style: italic;">Cafepress. com store</span>. Did you know that they have "A Spoonful of Russian" stamp now? And "A Spoonful of Russian" license plate? Since I enjoy cooking, my favorite is the apron. And what pet can live without "A Spoonful of Russian" T-shirt? The store's ID is <span style="font-style: italic;">speakrussian</span>. <br /> <br /> Oh, and a special <span style="font-weight: bold;">THANK YOU</span> goes to Norman, who surprised me with a new RODE PodCaster microphone. The sound quality has gone up since I started using it. Thanks, Norman, if you are listening:)<br /> <br /> Now , for the lesson! Давайте начнём!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyKMNhP6c88_yp2dsCk97C0PB3mxX-K4695ILoGKC7Csfo3tgS24feNvmjchGkyS5XU_b2HXCbtyOeFC1xxVh0xlQhVcp2EV4QhFjX53Hai3h3VrG4i8r1LLHY9z9jMT7vhCW/s1600-h/clock.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057203625914839922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyKMNhP6c88_yp2dsCk97C0PB3mxX-K4695ILoGKC7Csfo3tgS24feNvmjchGkyS5XU_b2HXCbtyOeFC1xxVh0xlQhVcp2EV4QhFjX53Hai3h3VrG4i8r1LLHY9z9jMT7vhCW/s400/clock.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a>

<a href="http://youtu.be/49UYaax0fls" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044500807686268850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6XLgHCyrnWlrHHV-x4WosBpL9jeCxAELIX50ZVjAyj4nky8o7EnOA6pjKVO0w-XcAOwGaFZWFgcD7JWVDM0jcjHldua2ayQ9vYLUO5cRAudIpcpaqzxWqRhrbz0A0mXyoOwM/s400/Screenshot_1.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /> Today you will learn how to write Russian Cursive letters "У,Ф,Х,Ц,Ч" .<br /> <br /> <br /> (updated on November 25, 2009)<br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">To answer Chris' question about forming a cursive 'ф' in the middle of a word I made a little demonstration vid.</span><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyW9Hy_5Wv4KQk6Os4xtMzzIPu2BwAQ55O2fwB6l6CfcxH6q2hhWyOvKGznWZu4NGC--X5nFqBTCZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>

<a href="http://youtu.be/s0aqlqTfpG0" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039657855654091170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI7v8aIKPFp1L-bj5MvpFqISIf6VZnM3p3g0aNVRxxcUS-V1oEBKwucqEsMVM6i2UYfPlP7HviyLC3EZX1qi28gT8iCt10fqLUBFliH204qCw8ssSgEzo-VaP0bynu_cB9d0M/s400/screenshot.jpeg" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8th of March - Women's Day</span> .</span><br /> <br /> It's Women's Day in Russia today, a holiday of spring and attention to women. It's one of most important holidays in Russia. The celebration is similar to a combination of Valentine's Day and Mother's Day in the West, but better. This is a national holiday and a day off. Several nations celebrate this, but only a few acknowledge it as an official, non-working holiday .<br /> <br /> If you forgot to send a rose on Valentine's Day, it's only half the trouble. But if you forgot to send flowers to the special women in your life you are in a really big trouble!<br /> <br /> On this day Russian men congratulate all women in their lives (mothers, wives, daughters, grandmothers, girl-friends, teachers) by presenting them with first spring flowers, candy and cards, and self-made short poems. My Dad always presented my Mom with red carnations early in the morning, while reading a poem specially-written for this occasion.<br /> <br /> Every woman of any age is honoured on this day. Russian women are surrounded with flowers, poems, love and care. They are not allowed to do any work in house that day: men do all cooking, cleaning and take care of the children. The Women Day - 8th of March is the best holiday for Russian women of any age.<br /> <br /> In other countries where the 8th of March is celebrated, it's usually a celebration of feminist and women's rights groups. But in Russia, where the life is different in many ways, the 8th of March is one of most favorite holidays for all Russian women, along with New Year and Christmas. For Russian Women the 8th of March "Women day" is a holiday of Love and Spring. One of my most favourable memories are of this Day:)<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV-MO1yTxmKUEpzmTfuBl7jQIhAoK65ONWPdvmll2dyL6rwm-q6B71-dj94cx8HxGkSdYS1kMf3fEZA9q1SxB043u5Lp2C8gVDYZ-8EAHGVs5CZGA1H19oeRglRQUTQTjiCGj/s1600-h/flowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039621670554622354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV-MO1yTxmKUEpzmTfuBl7jQIhAoK65ONWPdvmll2dyL6rwm-q6B71-dj94cx8HxGkSdYS1kMf3fEZA9q1SxB043u5Lp2C8gVDYZ-8EAHGVs5CZGA1H19oeRglRQUTQTjiCGj/s400/flowers.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> Letter 'О' is represented by word 'очки' (glasses)<br /> Letter 'П' is represented by word 'паровоз' (steam engine)<br /> Letter 'Р' is represented by word 'рыба' (fish)<br /> Letter 'С' is represented by word 'сыр' (cheese)<br /> Letter 'Т' is represented by word 'телефон' (telephone)

<a href="http://archive.org/download/Lesson19-RussianCursiveletters/05RussianCursive.mp4" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033744389036182466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT8M-VTfS6fmKpINv8gHGeTmLnhLeVLHGnIfnY-2ERArSQtunqsqnYFFJ-BIrhX8ZxWj_Y-KFrF-XvzIZCzLayzgTUEyZb9SlPFhwsRtXXBIw18i8GwBIHaxhEdjC1GbTiv93/s320/screenshot1.jpeg" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Russian Cursive (Letters "Й,К,Л,М,Н")<br /> <br /> Letter 'Й' is represented by word 'Йогурт' (Yogurt)<br /> Letter 'К' is represented by word 'Кошка' (Cat)<br /> Letter 'Л' is represented by word 'Лодка' (Boat)<br /> Letter 'М' is represented by word 'Машина' (Car)<br /> Letter 'Н' is represented by word 'Носки' (Socks)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPxk9TUzI6ta3GDf9ynl-0Dv5a3KTDtYVy-tKxzOAeZMnU0td4Zi1UojQyw-Oj1QnqxXIxw7KfJMT4sTaWMpsNZ5FlXtrgChXE9gPc4l171KrwfsXFZsoc46qh4Y7GaK79yG2/s1600-h/screenshot1.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033722562012384178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPxk9TUzI6ta3GDf9ynl-0Dv5a3KTDtYVy-tKxzOAeZMnU0td4Zi1UojQyw-Oj1QnqxXIxw7KfJMT4sTaWMpsNZ5FlXtrgChXE9gPc4l171KrwfsXFZsoc46qh4Y7GaK79yG2/s320/screenshot1.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> Video Vocabulary #1 - Common Greetings and Phrases. You can find a PDF file of the vocabulary in the DOWNLOADS section of the site.<br /> <br /> p.s. Isn't the sound of that BALALAIKA great in the video?

<a href="http://archive.org/download/Lesson18-RussianCursiveletters/04RussianCursive.mp4" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031853189032996322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxqkmz-lSAFJjfcAOmxmeGOIraGSfr9oCGBBBGtmHKDH3uQkTXhKeAfFrsrcGDrrmL6TCMLlrUzkiYBOvplu67pB4Hx9RBiPrDbXNe_ICUmlP42JNBDtrp22TgdYjRr1kaVDk/s320/screenshot.jpeg" /></a><br /> <br /> Добрый день, мои дорогие слушатели ( Hello, my dear listeners)! Welcome to 'A Spoonful of Russian' , where we learn Russian one bite at a time. Добро пожаловать ( Welcome)!<br /> <br /> (Samir's audio message)<br /> <br /> I thank all the listeners who stuck with the show since the beginning and welcome the newcomers. I appreciate all the mail that you send my way. Questions, comments, suggestion and even criticism....I read them all and try to reply as time allows. We've covered a lot of ground already, and there's more to come!<br /> <br /> And now, for the lesson.<br /> <br /> (Please follow the video for this lesson. Just click on the title of the blog entry.)<br /> <br /> Letter 'З' is represented by word 'Зонтик' (Umbrella)<br /> Letter 'И' is represented by word 'Иголки' (Pins)<br /> Letter 'Й' is represented by word 'Йод' (Iodine)

<a href="http://ia600402.us.archive.org/0/items/Lesson17-RussianCursiveletters/03RussianCursive.mp4" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028830488717625522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm76LD7aOqEUaghkrfTGnjDOOJllGgTdgTrKD_sN7bu2dYh48tiljNpRJdNAPg_9rFFbNTPtt-1RRzF624WH-5zSc4wQ0YYw26JnNU1LZ4ulxnSRIIda1gBvVFIho_YlaU1xT/s320/screenshot1.jpeg" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> (Please follow the video for this lesson. Just click on the title of the blog entry.)<br /> <br /> Добрый день, дорогие друзья! You are listening to and viewing 'A Spoonful of Russian' podcast, where we learn Russian 'one bite at a time'! I am your host, Natalia. Давайте начнём (Let us begin)!<br /> <br /> First, I want to take just a few seconds to thank all those who contributed to this show either by donating through PayPal, purchasing products with 'Spoonful of Russian' logo at my cafepress.com store of going to <a href="http://www.russiantable.com/store/affiliate/b.asp?id=512" target="_blank">russiantable.com</a> online grocery store via the link on the right. Thanks to you I was able to purchase Snapz Pro X software that enabled me to record visual lessons for you, just like this one.<br /> <br /> And now for our next Russian letters in cursive......<br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> I'd like to ask my listeners to e-mail me short accounts of the reasons behind your interest in Russian language and culture. You can either shoot me an e-mail telling me why you love Russian or send me a short audio. If you want me to play it on the show, let me know.<br /> <br /> Всего хорошего и до скорой встречи (All the best, and see you soon) !<br /> -------------------------------------------------

<a href="http://ia600402.us.archive.org/30/items/Lesson16-RussianCursiveletters/02RussianCursive.mp4" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024755861138355586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvQLfTFdZJeVXqhBJyj5_OCI7nJe58ai6gNsfDxKI4k5K83I1jkJ6ND7YyzU3mJmvonDBJ0p41UMkEjuZTI4zrexTlUn-WbqKA1bzf03AclFY-O1uN0aSLY_-foWRXxByjb6L/s320/screenshot1.jpeg" /></a><br /> <br /> Today I'll show you how to write Б,В,Г in cursive.<br /> <br /> (Please follow the video for this lesson. Just click on the title of the blog entry.)

<a href="http://ia700408.us.archive.org/20/items/Lesson15-RussianCursiveletter/Lesson15-RussianCursiveletter.m4v" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024432759338612066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTshN6LHauZy60-klEhcjWz8YZPKPMF8evU0TLB1kWgBG8nd5UKWZ6gy9Ldj7XfMpYG5Un_E08E4qAB4GXqoM27E-GtNfG2zJBjoES42N69eGEwJXGgnCtE7A-GWIIqZMQrO8/s320/screenshot.jpeg" /></a><br /> <br /> Today you will learn to write Russian cursive "А". I will include more than one letter in my future lessons.<br /> Thanks to one of my listeners I was able to upload a "Russian Cursive Workbook" in the DOWNLOADS section on the right.<br /> <br /> The Cyrillic alphabet was adopted by the Slavs in about the 9th century. Although it is named after St. Cyril (Constantine), it was not invented by St. Cyril. It is based on the system of Greek capital letters. If you know the Greek alphabet, many of the letters will be familiar to you.<br /> The Cyrillic alphabet, with some modifications, is used by many nations in Europe and Asia, including Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, and Mongolia, to name only a few.<br /> <br /> Few Americans write in cursive script anymore. All Russians write in cursive. You won't need to learn cursive to "get by" such as reading street signs or newspapers, and Russians will be able to read your notes if you print your letters. But you'll need to learn cursive to read Russians' handwriting. If you want to learn "good Russian" then learn to write in cursive. If you just want to "get by" on vacation you can skip this.<br /> <br /> Russian cursive letters looks quite different from Russian printed letters. Some letters look like English cursive letters, but represent different letters. The bane of Russian cursive is the letters м т л и ш щ ц, which look almost identical.<br /> <br /> Upper- and lower-case cursive letters look quite different. Thus Russians use three distinct alphabets: printed, upper-case cursive, and lower-case cursive.<br /> <br /> <br /> In this example, each letter--upper and lower case--is followed by the same letter in Russian cursive. You will notice that in the block style, the only difference between the upper and lower case letters is the size. In the cursive style, certain letters distinguish between upper and lower case.<br /> <br /> (Please follow the video for this lesson. Just click on the title of the blog entry.)<br /> -----------------------------------------------------

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/b/3/13/154/13154036_otkritky6b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/b/3/13/154/13154036_otkritky6b.jpg" width="223" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> Emily made a little сюрприз for you:<br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Mw_BcpzGz0I" width="560"></iframe>

• ❑ Opening Word<br /> <br /> Ну, здравствуйте, мои дорогие слушатели = Well, hello, my dear listeners! <br /> Как вы поживаете? = 'How are you?'<br /> <br /> 'Как вы поживаете' is basically the same as 'Как дела'. The difference is in the use. I'd never say 'Как дела' to a person I just met, or to someone who's a lot older than I am. 'Как дела' is reserved for close friends, family and children. The use of 'Как поживаете' in turn is more appropriate when addressing people much older than you, groups of people, someone you don't know very well, or simply to show respect. <br /> <br /> So, как вы поживаете? У меня всё хорошо. (I am doing fine). Are you ready for another spoonful of Russian today?<br /> <br /> • ❑ Lesson#14 - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br /> <br /> It would be more than appropriate to teach you a few Christmas and New Year-related phrases. <br /> <br /> Many of you probably know that Russians have always been big on celebrating the New Year's rather than Christmas. After the 1917 Revolution, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, along with other religious celebrations. In 1992 the Christmas celebration was revived and announced to be an official state holiday. Note that the Orthodox Christmas falls after the Western Christmas on the 7th of January! Together with the Russians the Orthodox Christmas is celebrated by Romanians and Serbs, while the Greeks adopted the Western Christmas.<br /> <br /> Did you know that the New Year holiday has been celebrated in Russia for more than 300 years? It's Peter the Great who established the New Year celebration on the 1st of January. In his documents the evergreen trees were considered the main decoration for the holiday. That will explain my choice for today's song later. <br /> <br /> But let us turn to Russian Christmas and New Year vocabulary. <br /> <br /> Now, during the time right before the New Year holiday people say 'С Наступающим Новым Годом' literally 'With forthcoming New Year'. But I'd translate is as 'Happy Holidays'!<br /> <br /> Natalia: Джулия, с Наступающим Новым Годом! (S Nas-too-pah-you-schim Novym Godum)<br /> Julia: И тебя тоже, мам.(Ee te-byah toh-zhah, mum) = ('You, too, Mom.')<br /> <br /> When the clock strikes 12 on January 1st, it's safe to yell out: 'С Новым Годом!' You can hear people saying 'С Новым Годом' well into February. Especially to the ones they haven't seen since the previous year:)<br /> <br /> 'Merry Christmas' will be 'С Рождеством Христовым' (S Rozh-deh-stvom Khris-to-vym). I do not remember the particulars of the Russian Christmas celebration, since I left Russia in 1995. But I did some research on the subject and compiled some facts that I hope you'll find interesting. You can find the text file 'Russian Christmas' in my '<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/spoonfulofrussiandl/" target="_blank">downloads</a>' section.<br /> <br /> Once again, if you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas, say 'С Рождеством Христовым!' And if you want to wish a Happy New Year, say 'С Новым Годом!' But all through the holiday season 'С праздником' (S prahz-knee-kom) will be always appropriate and timely.<br /> <br /> 'С праздником, дорогие товарищи! :))))))) Well, maybe not that official... 'товарищи' means 'comrades'.<br /> 'С праздником, друзья!' ---- 'Happy holidays, friends!' Now, that's more like it.<br /> <br /> <br /> • ❑ Song<br /> <br /> "В лесу родилась ёлочка" <br /> <br /> ("A Little Fir Tree's Born") performed by a children's choir.<br /> This is the most popular Russian New Year's song. Every Russian knows it. It's something that no winter holiday can do without. The author of the lyrics is a school teacher, who was also a librarian: Raisa Adamovna Kudashova. The song was born in 1903 and since then it brings joy and excitement to Russian kids just like that little fir tree from the song......<br /> <br /> <b><u>"В лесу родилась елочка"</u></b><br /> <br /> В лесу родилась елочка, <br /> В лесу она росла, <br /> Зимой и летом стройная, <br /> Зеленая была. <br /> Зимой и летом стройная, <br /> Зеленая была.<br /> <br /> Метель ей пела песенку: <br /> "Спи, елочка, бай-бай!"<br /> Мороз снежком укутывал: <br /> "Смотри, не замерзай!"<br /> Мороз снежком укутывал: <br /> "Смотри, не замерзай!"<br /> <br /> Трусишка - зайка серенький <br /> Под елочкой скакал. <br /> Порою волк, сердитый волк, <br /> Рысцою пробегал. <br /> Порою волк, сердитый волк, <br /> Рысцою пробегал.<br /> <br /> Чу! Снег по лесу частому <br /> Под полозом скрипит; <br /> Лошадка мохноногая <br /> Т

Добрый день, друзья! Как дела? Хорошо? Отлично. <br /> (Hello, friends! How are you? Doing well? Great!)<br /> <br /> It's December now, and I am a bit late with my coming back to the 'Spoonful of Russian'. I was hoping to get it started again in November, but....like they say in Russia: "Люди предполагают, а Бог располагает!" Which literally means "People make plans, but everything is in God's hands'. <br /> <br /> To quickly bring you up to date we are in our new house in Charlotte, NC and lovin' it! Still lots of things to do around the house to make our home --> thus lack of time for making podcasts:( <br /> <br /> For all the listeners who were asking about our trip to my hometown in Russia - the trip did not materialize for a couple of reasons. The Russian embassy told me I had some problems with my Russian passport at the last minute when I had the tickets in my hands! Then the airline company refused to refund us after we told them we were not going to Russia. But enough of that. Let's get to our lesson.<br /> <br /> -------<br /> <br /> А теперь давайте окунемся в сегодняшний урок = Let us dive into today's lesson. We are in the middle of great family holidays now. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving (День Благодарения) and now you are looking forward to Christmas (Рождество)! One thing these 2 holidays have in common is family gatherings. Dads, Moms, Grandmas, Grandpas, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, cousins, daughter, sons, grandchildren....get together for a very special time. Would you know how to label a specific branch of your Family tree in Russian? To help you out I made a chart of the family members and relations. All family members have gender-specific names. Please, listen carefully as I pronounce the words. You are welcome to pause this podcast recording, rewind and repeat.<br /> <br /> <br /> (click on the chart for a larger view) ...<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwVpT6LG1gw38hRxsf8zCrf8w-IzcdS417zYohbiBZqYJH9BQuKeCFOpyiJeMuZsGAJ_ewCZwWMrgR65snQXxV1ukUqmRLXLuwbO2AwJYseZoyr0MX644-6tywaZ5niYqLoPk/s1600-h/family_relations.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250289428559460066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwVpT6LG1gw38hRxsf8zCrf8w-IzcdS417zYohbiBZqYJH9BQuKeCFOpyiJeMuZsGAJ_ewCZwWMrgR65snQXxV1ukUqmRLXLuwbO2AwJYseZoyr0MX644-6tywaZ5niYqLoPk/s400/family_relations.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> -----<br /> <br /> For the musical part of the podcast I chose a timeless song performed by a singer from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia - Nani Bregvadze. The song is called "Снегопад" or "The Snowfall" where the snowfall stands for the end of one's youth. The singer is pleading with the Snowfall to wait and not to knock on her door. She still has love and tenderness to give, and hopes to share. The text is full of beautiful metaphors and similies. Almost 40 years have passed since Nani sang the song for the first time, but it still resonates in people's hearts, because the theme is eternal. <br /> <br /> "СНЕГОПАД"<br /> <br /> Я еще не успела испить свою осень<br /> А уже снегопад сторожит у ворот<br /> Он надежды мои как дороги заносит<br /> И грозит застелить надо мной небосвод<br /> <br /> Снегопад, снегопад, не мети мне на косы<br /> Не стучи в мою дверь, у ворот не кружи<br /> Снегопад, снегопад, если женщина просит<br /> Бабье лето ее торопить не спеши<br /> <br /> Не спеши, снегопад, я еще не готова<br /> Ты еще не успел мою душу смутить<br /> Неизлитую боль лебединого слова<br /> Не тебе, а ему я хочу посвятить<br /> <br /> Снегопад, снегопад, не мети мне на косы<br /> Не стучи в мою дверь, у ворот не кружи<br /> Снегопад, снегопад, если женщина просит<br /> Бабье лето ее торопить не спеши<br /> <br /> Я еще разобьюсь о твою неизбежность<br /> Голубая метель запорошит мой дом<br /> Я прошу, снегопад, не заснежь мою нежность<br /> Не касайся любви ледянящим крылом<br /> <br /> Снегопад, снегопад, не мети мне на косы<br /> Не стучи в мою дверь, у ворот не кружи<br /> Снегопад, снегопад, если женщина просит<br /> Бабье лето ее торопить не спеши<br /> Торопить не спеши, торопить не спеши <br /> <br /> <br /> --------<br /> <br /> That's it. Now you can call your family members using the words you've learned today. But be advised, when addressing your brother, he might have a negative reaction to the word. It's somewhat close to the English word 'brat' :)<br /> <br /> I want to apologize for not answering all of your e-mails. After the move I have taken up so

Topic - Birthday Greetings<br /> <br /> • ❑1 intro<br /> <br /> <br /> Добрый день, друзья! (Hello, friends!)<br /> Как дела? (How are you?)<br /> Надеюсь, что у вас все хорошо. (Hope you are doing well.)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/Screenshot_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/Screenshot_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> Thank you for keeping up with this podcast even though I do not produce them as often as I'd like to. I am excited to get e-mails and comments on the spoonfulofrussian.com site. Your enthusiasm is contageous! For those who asked about the condition of our house, we just sold our restored home and are planning on moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, right after our trip to Russia in August. I can hardly wait!<br /> <br /> <br /> • ❑2 Happy Birthday!<br /> <br /> It's lesson 12 (<span style="color: red;">двенадцатый урок</span>). Tomorrow we'll be celebrating my youngest daughter's 6th birthday. I taught my daughters to say a few birthday greetings in Russian. Let me share them with you.<br /> <br /> So, How do you say 'Happy Birthday' in Russian? <br /> <span style="color: red;">Эмили</span>: "I know." It's "<span style="color: red;">С Днем Рождения</span>".<br /> That's right, Emily. "<span style="color: red;">С Днем Рождения</span>" means 'Happy Birthday' . So, what are you going to say to your sister tomorrow?<br /> Эмили: '<span style="color: red;">С Днем Рождения, Джулия</span>". To which Julia will probably reply "<span style="color: red;">Спасибо, Емили</span>".<br /> <br /> Then Russians usually wish health, happiness and longevity to the birthday person among other things. The phraze 'I wish you' will be '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе...</span>' (informal, to be used addressing friends, family, children) or ' <span style="color: red;">Я желаю Вам</span>'... (formal, to be used addressing older people, people you are not very close to, or just to show respect). Can you say '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе...</span>' '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю Вам..</span>.'?<br /> <br /> Good. Let us wish Julia health. '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе здоровья</span>'. Emily: '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе здоровья</span>'.<br /> Now, let's wish her happiness. '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе счастья</span>'. Emily: '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе счастья</span>'.<br /> Let's also wish her long life - <span style="color: red;">долгих лет жизни</span>. '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе долгих лет жизни</span>.' Emily: '<span style="color: red;">Я желаю тебе долгих лет жизни</span>.'<br /> <span style="color: red;">Молодец, Эми</span>. What would I do without you? ('<span style="color: red;">Что бы я без тебя делала</span>?')<br /> Emily: '<span style="color: red;">Пожалуйста, мама</span>.'<br /> <br /> Alright! Now you know what to say next time you are invited to a Russian birthday party. And if any of my listeners happen to celebrate their birthday today, we are saying '<span style="color: red;">С Днем Рождения</span>' to you! <br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are the phrases again:</span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/Screenshot_2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/Screenshot_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/Screenshot_3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/Screenshot_3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/Screenshot_4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/Screenshot_4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/Screenshot_5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/Screenshot_5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • ❑3 song<br /> <br /> For the musical part of today's podcast I chose a song from a Russian cartoon "Cheboorashka". The character that sings this song is happy on a very dreary day. It's his birthday! The people passing by c

(Due to lack of interest in the enhanced version of the podcast I am going to stick with the audio only version. Below is the Valentine's Day enhanced show converted into .mp3 file)<br /> <br /> Привет! Hey there, all you Russian language addicts and all those who have just subscribed. Welcome! (Добро пожаловать!)<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/flashcard01.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/flashcard01.0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> It’s Lesson#11 - Love is in the Air. It's been a while since I cranked up my Microphone and my Mac to produce a podcast. My house renovations are still going on, and we are still living with my in-laws. Even though my current environment is not ideal for writing and producing podcasts, I felt that I needed to get back out there for several reasons. I'm still getting lots of e-mails on a daily basis from listeners who express their desire for more of 'A Spoonful of Russian'. Another reason is we are working on getting things ready for our trip to my hometown in Russia this summer, and my daughters are in serious need of freshenning up their Russian:) There are other reasons as well. But personally, I just miss it myself. I miss plotting the idea of the lesson, typing it on my PowerBook (while listening to some nice classical music. Russian, of course), recording it, choosing different audio transitions, piecing it all together in GarageBand, uploading it, and getting your responses later.<br /> <br /> As much as I'd like to produce lengthy and in-depth lessons on a weekly basis, that would not be possible for the time being. The next few lessons will probably be shorter and carry less info. Hey, it's 'A Spoonful of Russian' after-all:)<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> LESSON - "Love is in the Air"<br /> <br /> You all know that Valentine's Day ( 'День Святого Валентина' in Russian) is just around the corner. I am not going to go into the history of the holiday. You can do a little research on the subject at wikipedia.org if you want. But wouldn't it be cool to send your sweetheart a valentine written in Russian? I'm gonna show you how to do it. Here are some simple phrases you can use:<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/I%20love%20you%20flashcard.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/I%20love%20you%20flashcard.0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> - "I love You" , of course. "Я Тебя Люблю." For your convenience I created some flash-cards to go with the lesson. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/be%20mine%20flashcard.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/be%20mine%20flashcard.0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> - Another phrase you can put down in your valentine is: "Be Mine". And depending on the gender the Russian translation is either "Будь Моим" or "Будь Моей".<br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/image_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/image_1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> - "We're Made for each Other" - "Мы Созданы Друг для Друга".<br /> <br /> - If you are an older couple I have a perfect card for you on Apple site. It's one of the iCards Apple offers. It uses one of my photos that depicts a pair of old boots. It says: "We May be Old, but we Match!" In Russian, "Хоть Мы и Стары, Мы - Идеальная Пара!" You can locate my card on mac.com --> iCards --> under "new in iCards".<br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/boots%20flashcard1.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/boots%20flashcard1.0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/boots%20flashcard2.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/boots%20flashcard2.0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />ENDING WORD and a SONG<br /> <br />Now that you have a few phrases in Russian to dazzle your sweetheart, you might want to play this next song for her/ or him. It's called БЕЛОЙ АКАЦИИ ГРОЗДЬЯ ДУШИСТЫЕ. Literally "Sweet-smelling clusters of acacia". It's a romantic song about 2 lovers reminiscing about their time together one s

Hi, everyone. Добрый день. This is just a short note to let you know I haven't forgotten about my listeners and "A Spoonful of Russian' podcast will be coming back! I also wanted to share with you an interview I recently gave to a BBC reporter and producer April Peavey. It aired today, January 4th, 2006. It was a pleasure and honor to work with April.<br /> <br /> The interview is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston.

<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/beback.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/beback.0.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> Bought a new mic, new headphones, iMac G5 - all set up to produce 'killer shows', yet this show will be the last one before I can get settled in our house.<br /> <br /> This is show#10 and the last one as far as my introductory lessons go. After almost 7,000 visitors to my site and close to 3,000 subscribers (at one point) I decided to take a sabbatical to re-evaluate the show and make some changes. Renovating of the house damaged by hurricane Katrina is another reason for the break.<br /> <br /> I would like to thank all my loyal long-time listeners as well as new ones for downloading the show. I really enjoyed getting the lessons ready as well as doing the production itself. I wouldn't be able to do it without you inspiring me.<br /> <br /> There will be no lesson today. If you sent me a comment or a question - don't worry. I will be answering all the questions via e-mail personally in the days to come. Stay subscribed to 'A Spoonful of Russian' - that way you'll be informed of all the changes.<br /> <br /> I did include a song in this last show.<br /> <br /> <span style="color: red;">"Сердце"</span> ('Heart')<br /> also known as "Как много девушек хороших" ('There are so many nice girls")<br /> <br /> <br /> Как много девушек хороших,<br /> Как много ласковых имен,<br /> Но лишь одно из них тревожит,<br /> Унося покой и сон, когда влюблен.<br /> <br /> Любовь нечаянно нагрянет,<br /> Когда ее совсем не ждешь,<br /> И каждый вечер сразу станет<br /> Удивительно хорош, и ты поешь:<br /> <br /> Припев:<br /> Сердце, тебе не хочется покоя.<br /> Сердце, как хорошо на свете жить!<br /> Сердце, как хорошо, что ты такое,<br /> Спасибо, сердце, что ты умеешь так любить!

<br /> How do you feel about food? <span style="color: red;">Я люблю поесть!</span> (I love to eat!) most people will say.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/nat%40restaurant.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/nat%40restaurant.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/fruit%20banner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/fruit%20banner.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br />  Whether you love it or hate it, we deal with food and talk about food every single day. That reminds me, I have to throw together PLOV (rice-based national dish of Uzbekistan) for tonight (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plov">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plov</a>) ....be right back.<br /> <br /> (Natalia making noise in her kitchen)<br /> <br /> First, let me give you a list of some popular food items in Russian:<br /> <br /> <span style="color: red;">Хлеб</span> - bread<br /> <span style="color: red;">Соль</span> - salt<br /> <span style="color: red;">Сахар</span> - sugar<br /> <span style="color: red;">Яйца</span> - eggs<br /> <span style="color: red;"><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/caviar_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/caviar_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><span style="color: red;"><br />Икра</span> - caviar<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: red;">Масло</span> - butter<br /> <span style="color: red;">Молоко</span> - milk<br /> <span style="color: red;">Кефир</span> - kefir (a sour-tasting drink made from cow's milk fermented with certain bacteria.)<br /> <span style="color: red;">Сок</span> - juice<br /> <span style="color: red;">Овощи</span> - vegetables<br /> <span style="color: red;">Фрукты</span> - fruit<br /> <span style="color: red;">Сыр</span> - cheese<br /> <span style="color: red;">Мясо</span> - meat<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/fish_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/fish_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <span style="color: red;">Рыба</span> - fish<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: red;">Колбаса</span> - sausage<br /> <span style="color: red;">Шоколад</span> - chocolate<br /> <span style="color: red;">Торт</span> - cake<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/water_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/water_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <span style="color: red;">Вода</span> - water<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: red;">Пиво</span> - beer<br /> <span style="color: red;">Шампанское</span> - champaign<br /> <span style="color: red;">Водка</span> - vodka<br /> <span style="color: red;">Чай</span> - tea<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/coffee_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/coffee_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <span style="color: red;">Кофе</span> - coffee<br /> <br /> <br /> Just to name a few. Now, some dishes in Russian:<br /> <br /> <span style="color: red;"><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/cucumbers_%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" bo

Привет, дорогие слушатели. (Hi, dear listeners). Сегодня суббота, 22 октября. (Today's Saturday, Oct. 22nd.)<br /><br />Let's check your homework from the previous lesson#7:<br /><br /><br />Exercise 7.1<br /><br />1. Туристы летают в Мексико-Сити из Нью-Йорка ___на самолете___ .<br />Tourists travel from New York to Mexico City (by plane).<br /><br />2. Люди ездят на работу ___на автобусе___ в Атланте.<br />People go to work in Atlanta (by bus).<br /><br />3. Поездка в Европу ___на теплоходе___ 3 месяца.<br />The journey to Europe (by boat) is 3 months long.<br /><br />4. Мы ходим ___пешком___ к бабушке.<br />We walk (by foot) to Grandma's house.<br /><br />5. Я поеду к врачу ___на машине___ завтра.<br />I will drive (by car) to the doctor's office tomorrow.<br /><br />6. Они катались со спуска горы ___на лыжах___ .<br />They went down the side of the mountain by (on skis).<br /><br /><br />Exercise 7.2<br /><br />1. Дорога идет ___вдоль___ берега.<br />The road goes (alongside) the shoreline.<br /><br />2. Где находится магазин? Он ___за углом___ .<br />Where is the store located? It's (around the corner).<br /><br />3. Кафе ___рядом___ с метро.<br />The cafe is (next to) the subway.<br /><br />4. Я вас видел вчера. ___Куда___ вы шли?<br />I saw you yesterday. (Where) were you going?<br /><br />5. Никак не мог найти мою ручку. ___Где___ она?<br />I can't find my pen. (Where) is it?<br /><br /><br />Exercise 7.3 (fill in the blanks by translating the words in brackets)<br /><br />1. Your roommate leaves for a weekend retreat in the mountains, and you say (see you soon):___Увидимся!___<br /><br />2. After you have dropped your kids off at the grandparents' house, you tell them (see you later):___Пока!___<br /><br />3. Your late afternoon meeting began at 3:30, but you arrive (late) at 3:45: ___поздно___<br /><br />4. You hope that you find those keys (soon): ___скоро___<br /><br />5. The concert started at 8 p.m. and you arrived exactly at 8 p.m. You were (on time): ___вовремя___<br /><br />6. You check your e-mail (every day):___каждый день___<br /><br />------------Phone Conversations------------<br /> (the audio files of the conversations are on the 'Downloads' page)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/screenshot12.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/screenshot12.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Two friends</span><br /><br />(ring)<br /><br />-Алло?<br />(Hello?)<br /><br />-Алло, Маш. Привет. Это Наташа.<br />(Hello, Masha. Hi. It's Natasha)<br /><br />-А, Наташ, привет. <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Как дела</span>? -- should be '<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Как жизнь</span>'<br />(Oh, it's you Natasha. <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">How are you</span>?) -- should be '<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">How's life/What's up</span>'<br /><br />-Да так, ничего нового. Вот подкаст делаю. А ты чем занимаешься?<br />(Nothing much. Just working on my podcast. What about you?)<br /><br />-А у меня времени ни на что не хватает. Мои дети сейчас занимаются каратэ, балетом, да еще и футболом! Нужно везде успеть.<br />(And I have no idea where my time goes. My kids are going to karate, ballet and even soccer practices now! Gotta make it everywhere on time)<br /><br />-Может найдете часик поиграть с нами в парке?<br />(How about finding an hour for a play date with us at the park?)<br /><br />-С удовольствием, Наташ. Давай встретимся во вторник в 5 вечера?<br />(I'd love to, Natasha. Let us meet on Tuesday at 5pm)<br /><br />-Давай. Ну, до встречи.<br />(OK, See you then)<br /><br />-Пока.<br />(Bye)<br /><br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">School Principal calls a Parent</span><br /><br />(ring)<br /><br />-Алло?<br />(Hello)<br /><br />-Добрый день. Могу ли я поговорить с Марией Витальевной?<br />(Good afternoon. May I speak with Maria Vitalyevna?)<br /><br />-Да пожалуйста, это я.<br />(Yes, of course. This is she)<br /

Let's say you want to fly out of JFK to Scheremetyevo airport in Moscow, then take the train to Vladivostok, stopping to drive through the countryside both by car and by horseback. Or maybe you enjoy boat cruises and would love to go down the Volga river! In trying to put all of this into words, you realize that you need to use some new expressions. Here are some examples:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/screenshot.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/screenshot.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> Exercise 7.1<br /> <br /> 1. Туристы летают в Мексико-Сити из Нью-Йорка _________________________ .<br /> Tourists travel from New York to Mexico City (by plane).<br /> <br /> 2. Люди ездят на работу _______________________ в Атланте.<br /> People go to work in Atlanta (by bus).<br /> <br /> 3. Поездка в Европу _____________________ 3 месяца.<br /> The journey to Europe (by boat) is 3 months long.<br /> <br /> 4. Мы ходим _____________________ к бабушке.<br /> We walk (by foot) to Grandma's house.<br /> <br /> 5. Я поеду к врачу ____________________ завтра.<br /> I will drive (by car) to the doctor's office tomorrow.<br /> <br /> 6. Они катались со спуска горы ____________________ .<br /> They went down the side of the mountain by (on skis).<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/screenshot2.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/screenshot2.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Exercise 7.2<br /> <br /> 1. Дорога идет ________________ берега.<br /> The road goes (alongside) the shoreline.<br /> <br /> 2. Где находится магазин? Он ___________________ .<br /> Where is the store located? It's (around the corner).<br /> <br /> 3. Кафе _______________ с метро.<br /> The cafe is (next to) the subway.<br /> <br /> 4. Я вас видел вчера. ______________ вы шли?<br /> I saw you yesterday. (Where) were you going?<br /> <br /> 5. Никак не мог найти мою ручку. ________ она?<br /> I can't find my pen. (Where) is it?<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/screenshot11.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/screenshot11.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Exercise 7.3 (fill in the blanks by translating the words in brackets)<br /> <br /> 1. Your roommate leaves for a weekend retreat in the mountains, and you say (see you soon):___________________________<br /> <br /> 2. After you have dropped your kids off at the grandparents' house, you tell them (see you later):___________________________________<br /> <br /> 3. Your late afternoon meeting began at 3:30, but you arrive (late) at 3:45: ______________<br /> <br /> 4. You hope that you find those keys (soon): _____________________<br /> <br /> 5. The concert started at 8 p.m. and you arrived exactly at 8 p.m. You were (on time): ____________________<br /> <br /> 6. You check your e-mail (every day):________________________<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Numbers 11-20</span><br /> <br /> 11<br /> одиннадцать<br /> adeenatsat'<br /> <br /> 12<br /> двенадцать<br /> dvyenatsat'<br /> <br /> 13<br /> тринадцать<br /> treenatsat'<br /> <br /> 14<br /> четырнадцать<br /> cheytirnatsat'<br /> <br /> 15<br /> пятнадцать<br /> pyatnatsat'<br /> <br /> 16<br /> шестнадцать<br /> shyesnatsat'<br /> <br /> 17<br /> семнадцать<br /> syemnatsat'<br /> <br /> 18<br /> восемнадцать<br /> vasyemnatsat'<br /> <br /> 19<br /> девятнадцать<br /> dyevyatnatsat'<br /> <br /> 20<br /> двадцать<br /> dvatsat'<br /> <br /> (end consonants with an apostrophe (') after it is 'soft' )<br /> <br /> <br /> Final words: That concludes our lesson 7. I have all the material we've covered today on spoonfulofrussian.com Don't forget to do the excersizes - we'll check them next time we meet.<br /> <br /> Oh, and here are the lyrics of the song (you can always view them on your iPod...as you are listening to this lesson, click 3 times)<br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: i

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/me2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/me2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Добрый день, дорогие друзья! (Hello, dear friends).<br /><br />Сегодня суббота, 8-ое октября. The show is still recorded at my temp 'studio' away from my home in New Orleans.<br /><br />In this podcast you will learn how to say the days of the week in Russian, as well as count from 1-10. You will also find out why you shouldn't get stressed over stress in Russian words. We will take a look at some simple sentence structures and word order within sentences as well....This might be the largest 'Spoonful of Russian' ever, but it's all good!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Correction: In the beginning of the podcast I got the date wrong. The show was being recorded on Friday, Oct, 7th. You will hear me say: "Today is Saturday, 7th of October." Oops!</span><br /><br /><br />Just to add to our past lesson - there are noun, adjective and verb cognates in Russian, and they can help you speak smoothly and easily, making you sound very natural. But don't let false cognates trick you into saying something you don't intend!<br /><br />I'd like to answer a question of one of my listeners. He was asking about the role of the 'hard sign' and the 'soft sign' in the Russian alphabet. The soft sign 'мягкий знак' has no sound of its own. Rather it tells you that the consonant before it is soft. (учитель).....The hard sign 'твердый знак' has no sound of its own as well. It indicates that the preceeding consonant is hard. You make a slight break in the word, immediately after the consonant it follows. (объем - volume - объем).<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">- Что это? Это кофе?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">- Нет, это не кофе. Это чай.</span><br /><br />- What is this? Is this coffee?<br />- No, it's not coffee. It's tea.<br /><br />and now a slightly different dialogue:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">- Кто это? Это учитель?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">- Нет, это не учитель. Это студент.</span><br /><br />- Who is this? Is this a teacher?<br />- No, It is not a teacher. It is a student.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Forming a negative sentence:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Это хорошо</span> (It is good)<br />Это <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">не</span> хорошо (It's not good)<br />---------------------------------------------<br /><br />If you don't know how to count from 1 to 10 in Russian, today's the day! Most of these numbers have a soft sign at the end, so don't forget to soften the last consonant!<br /><br />0 (nol') - ноль<br />1 (adeen) - один<br />2 (dva) - два<br />3 (tree) - три<br />4 (chyetirye) - четыре<br />5 (pyat') - пять<br />6 (shyest') - шесть<br />7 (syem') - семь<br />8 (vosyem') - восемь<br />9 (devyat') - девять<br />10 (desyat') - десять<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Days of the week:</span><br /><br /><br />понедельник (pah-neh-DEHL-neek) Monday<br />вторник (FTOR-neek) Tuesday<br />среда (sreh-DAH) Wednesday<br />четверг (chet-VERK) Thursday<br />пятница (PYAHT-neet-sah) Friday<br />суббота (soo-BOH-tah) Saturday<br />воскресенье (vahs-kree-SEHN-yeh) Sunday<br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Lyrics of this week's Russian song:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Зачем вы, девушки, красивых любите?</span><br />(Е.Птичкин - И.Шаферан)<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">from the film "My Street"</span></span><br /><br />Ромашки спрятались, поникли лютики,<br />Когда застыла я от горьких слов:<br />Зачем вы, девочки, красивых любите,<br />Непостоянная у них любовь.<br /><br />Сняла решительно пиджак наброшенный,<br />Казаться гордою хватило сил,<br />Ему сказа

Sounds like cognates are the single greatest friend to folks learning Russian. However, as with most good things there are pitfalls. And these pitfalls are called 'false cognates'. A 'false cognate' is a word that shares a similar pronunciation between two languages, but means one thing in one language and something else in the other. You'd sound pretty silly if a Russian asked you what you were doing ('Что вы делаете?') and you'd answer 'Я читаю магазин' (which means 'I am reading a store')....<br /> <br /> <a href="http://masterrussian.com/blfalse.shtml" target="_blank">'False Cognates" examples.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The dialogue at the beginning of the show:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/1600/lesson05dialogue01.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3246/1456/400/lesson05dialogue01.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a>

You'll be surprised how many words you would be able to recognize without studying any Russian. The words I am talking about are cognates - words borrowed from a foreign language that share a common pronunciation and meaning.The Russian version of an English word may look intimidating to you at first, but as you become familiar with the Russian characters you'll learn to recognize a cognate when you see it.<br /> <br /> <br /> 1. теннис<br /> 2. доллар<br /> 3. баскетбол<br /> 4. доктор<br /> 5. Нью-Йорк<br /> 6. Калифорния<br /> 7. бейсбол<br /> 8. университет<br /> 9. адрес<br /> 10. офис<br /> 11. футбол<br /> 12. телефон<br /> 13. бар<br /> 14. ресторан<br /> 15. такси<br /> 16. мафия<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFpRNUOmyyJ23GKOtiRCc3Z-pzVFtTGuRqJXhyaYa5-cMMpL6BZ_eBY8DXA4IO3MJMeQINzH-NeDWFHQ73nM_oR4MXUqA3C3VFEfFjMWhND4HgNl68kY_BvcU9y13F9BRwvcX/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFpRNUOmyyJ23GKOtiRCc3Z-pzVFtTGuRqJXhyaYa5-cMMpL6BZ_eBY8DXA4IO3MJMeQINzH-NeDWFHQ73nM_oR4MXUqA3C3VFEfFjMWhND4HgNl68kY_BvcU9y13F9BRwvcX/s640/photo.PNG" width="457" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> The song from the show is "Katyusha" recorded in 1938.<br /> <br /> <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">"Катюша"</span><br /> <pre>Расцветали яблони и груши Поплыли туманы над рекой Выходила на берег Катюша На высокий берег на крутой Выходила песню заводила Про степного сизого орла Про того которого любила Про того чьи письма берегла Ой ты песня песенка девичья Ты лети за ясным солнцем вслед И бойцу на дальнем пограничье От Катюши передай привет Пусть он вспомнит девушку простую Пусть услышит как она поет Пусть он землю сбережет родную А любовь Катюша сбережет Пусть он землю сбережет родную А любовь Катюша сбережет Расцветали яблони и груши Поплыли туманы над рекой Выходила на берег Катюша На высокий берег на крутой Выходила на берег Катюша На высокий берег на крутой</pre> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Here's the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyusha_%28song%29#Lyrics" target="_blank">translation for "КАТЮША"</a> song. To find out more about the story behind the song, see this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyusha_%28song%29">Wikipedia article</a> I found to be very helpful.<br /> <br /> <br /> This lesson is a day premature, but with the hurricane in the area I'd rather be safe than sorry:)