Russian Language Help

The Russian Language can be challenging for an English speaker

There are some similarities between the Russian language and the English language although someone unfamiliar with basic Russian will find they are lost and lonely in a Russian speaking country where there are few people who speak English. Thankfully, there are many people in Russian speaking countries who do speak English especially in likely tourist destinations and in hotels and restaurants that serve tourist. The most difficult part of speaking the Russian language from an English speaking point of view is how they blend many consonants together mixed with a few vowels. Overcoming that obstacle will surely help you speak more clearly so that you can be understood by more people in Russian speaking countries. I personally had a frustrating experience in a small city in southern Ukraine where the prevalent language is Russian. I asked in Russian, "Gadea Toilit?" or "Where is the bathroom". I had used this phrase quite often and always had someone point the way to the restroom. This lady responded, "Goverite Pa Rusky" saying to me, "Please speak Russian". I thought I was speaking Russian but I have an obvious accent that she clearly did not understand and was foreign to her. The second lady I asked clearly understood me and I was relieved in more ways than one when she pointed to where the restroom was.

Russian Language Obstacle and English

The next obstacle to overcome is to learn Cyrillic characters if you want to be able to read. Reading is one thing but to understand what you are reading is another thing. For example, say you needed to find a pharmacy to buy aspirin for a headache. The Russian language does not use pharmacy. Pharmacy converted from Cyrillic to English is Apteka Once you did find the pharmacy you could then hope to find an English speaking clerk, have an English to Russian dictionary, or mime your way to an understanding that you have a headache. A little study can go a long ways in helping you find your way around and having a successful trip without any hassle or frustration.

Russian Language Help: Russian to English

Hello - Priviet

Nice to meet you - Ochen Priatna

Good Morning - Dabroye Utra

Good Day - Dabry Dien

Good Night - Spakoynoy Nochi

When - Kogda

Where - Gadea

How - Kak

How much? - Sku(o)lka

Where is the restroom? - Gadea Tualyet?

How are you - Kak Dela

Thank You - Spasiba

You're Welcome - Pajausta

I - Ya

Me - Mnye

My - Moi

You - Te(i)

I want - Ya Chachu

Where can I buy - Gadea Mozhna Koopeet

Ticket - Billyet

May I - Mozhna

There - Tooda

Left - Naleva

Right - Naprava

Straight - Priama

Store - Magazine

Hungry - Galodny

Milk - Moloko

Butter - Slevichnee Mazlo

Meat - Myasa

Beef - Teleetniya

Pork - Svinina

Chicken - Kuritsa

Potatoes - Kartoshka

Salt - Sol (soft L)

Pepper - Pyerits

Water - Voda

Water (non-carbonated) - Voda biez gaza

Check Please - Shot Pajalusta

Goodbye - Paca

Goodbye - Dasvedanya

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