The Word's Worth

How to shell a nut without a nutcracker and other acts of national ingenuity.

Do Russians have a word for when you mess up, misstep, blunder or put your foot in it? Of course!

How to flop, bomb, fail, go down the tubes, go belly up and fall flat on your face. In Russian, of course.

Happy 20th anniversary to The Word's Worth, now in exile. Seems fitting.

There is nothing more tragic than the language of war.

When the Russian media goes a bit wild after a presidential press conference, I begin investigating.

Talking about future possibilities and inevitabilities in Russian is a mouthful.

Welcome to another chapter of "Weird Russian Words." This one will inspire you!

A short, expression-filled column about a little word that packs a big punch.

It turns out you can say you don't care in dozens of ways in Russian - some even in polite company.

The Words of the Year and Decade are not cheerful in 2021. Такой год - такие слова...

There is a newish filler word going around that driving the older generation crazy.

Some of the less-than-magical qualities of winter in Moscow.

How to say "yes" that really means "no" in Russian. Like no way. Forget it. In your dreams, man.

Would you rather be called a turkey in Russian or English? Not an easy decision...

This week I look at two pairs of verbs of motion and get a bit distraught.

What stocking, throwing a fit, and rolling up your sleeves have in common.

Apologizing seems easy in Russian, but there are some tricky bits.

When do you use ни and when do you use не? I made up some (silly sounding) rules to help you out.

Today I focus on one of my favorite things about Russian - the double negative.

Why you really must learn a new vocabulary of similes in Russian.

Here are some serious and hilarious ways to take care and be on the very safe side in Russian.

What's up with verbs like подсказать, подбросить, подслушать and подскочить?

As Covid rages on but treatment improves, it's time to hone our vocabulary of getting better.

Curiosity about the origins of the word "snob" sent me down a rabbit hole - or make that rat hole.

I'm stuck on being stuck-up. So many ways to be very annoying.

What do you do with untranslatable words? Well, you translate them as best you can.

Is моветон having a moment? Why yes, it is. It's on everyone's lips. So what the heck is it?

Marriage can be confusing, but wait until you hear about Russian marital confusion!

How to wash that bum right out of your hair and other tricks of the Russian launderer's trade.

Don't drink hot coffee. Don't work (brain fog). Wear nighties to the store. And moan about the heat.

Everyone's an interpreter! Or at least, everyone loves to criticize interpreters...

A magical word that seems to acquire new meanings wherever it goes.

Another in my series of Mastering Russian Prepositions, this one is all about being near.

Maybe seems like such an easy concept. Может быть I'm wrong? Or is that быть может?

What do courts and approaches and truth have to do with no one, nothing and no?

How many ways can you say "no" in Russian? You have no idea...

All you need are four verbs to satisfy all your cleaning, washing, polishing and murderous needs.

In her column The Word's Worth, Moscow Times Arts Editor Michele Berdy covers the intricacies of the Russian language — from the fascinating to the frustrating and everything in between.The Moscow Times is Russia’s leading independent English-language media outlet. From our Moscow newsroom, we provide readers across the world with breaking news, engaging stories and balanced journalism about the largest country on Earth. Find us at: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/​ https://www.facebook.com/MoscowTimes/​ https://twitter.com/moscowtimes​ https://www.instagram.com/themoscowtimes

How to talk about human monsters in Russian - or how to avoid hearing about them.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.

In The Russian Word’s Worth, Michele Berdy allows herself the pleasure of a good, long rant.