How to say Happy New Year in Russian

How to say Happy New Year in Russian

New Year is coming! And you may be surprised to know that New Year is much more popular in Russia than Christmas! Actually, it is the most celebrated holiday in Russia. We have 10 days of vacation – from the 31st of December to January 10th!

In Russia we have several phrases for this particular holiday. Let’s learn the most common of them.

С наступающим! – [s na-stoo-pà-yu-schim] – we use this phrase for several days before New Year, it means “Happy New Year that is coming soon”. It’s very polite to say this phrase everywhere: at work, in the store, in the bank, etc.

С Новым Годом! – [s nò-vym gò-dam] – the main phrase we use during this holiday. In English it’s usually translated as “Happy New Year”.

Счастливого Нового Года! – [scha-sleè-va-va nò-va-va gò-da] – literally means “Happy new year!” (the full form: I wish you a happy new year). It’s a good phrase for toasts.

С праздником! – [s prà-znee-kam] – happy holiday! This phrase may be used for any holiday, including the New Year.

С прошедшим! – [s pra-shèh-tshim] – we use this one for several days after the New Year. Literally it means “Happy New Year that has passed”. Just like the first phrase, it can be used with everyone and everywhere.

I hope this year you’ll surprise your Russian friends with saying Happy New Year in Russian!

5 comparisons in Russian

5 comparisons in Russian

As you know, there are common comparative idioms in every language. In Russia we like to compare some qualities of people with the ones that animals or objects have (according to our cultural views of course:)). Let’s talk about the most common ones:

Злой как соба́ка – [zloy kak sabàka] – As angry as a dog.

You may ask: «Why dog?! Dogs are nice!». In Russian villages dogs have always been the main guardians of the house, protecting it from thieves and predators. Even today it’s very common for Russians living out of big cities, to put a «Beware! Angry dog!» sign on a fence.

Упря́мый как осёл – [oo-pryà-myi kak a-syòl] – As stubborn as a donkey.

A donkey in Russia is persisted as a super stubborn animal! If it decides to stop and relax for some time, no matter how hard you try to make it move – the donkey won’t budge an inch. That’s why if you deal with someone not cooperative, you may say: «Uggh, you’re as stubborn as a donkey!»

Ти́хий как мышь – [teè-heei kak mysh] – As quiet as a mouse.

Mice in the Russian culture have always been associated with being smart and sneaky. Hiding from a cat, they always try to stay noiseless. And when someone is being quiet or silent, you may compare him or her with a mouse.

Хи́трый как лиса́ – [heè-try oak lee-sàh] – As sly as a fox.

I guess all folklore cultures have their «almost-a-villain» type of character. In Russia it’s a fox! Beautiful animal with lovely red fur and smear eyes, in Russian fairytales a fox is always female and always as sly and cunning as possible. She constantly tricks and fools everyone around her (hares,  roosters, wolves and others). Next time when you deal with someone sly (or with a beautiful red-haired woman:)), compare that person with a fox. It will certainly be impressive:)

Трусли́вый как за́яц – [troo-sleè-vyi oak zàh-yats] – As cowardly as a hare.

A hare in Russian folklore is the best known coward of all! It’s afraid of everyone and everything. Be careful and don’t confuse it with a rabbit (like most Americans do:)); a hare is a completely different animal. When someone is acting cowardly (especially for no reason), Russians may say «as cowardly as a hare». But remember that it’s rather offensive, too.

That’s it for today! Now you know the most common comparative idioms of the Russian language.

Watch the video:

How animals sound in Russian

How animals sound in Russian

Watch the video:

 

Have you ever wondered how animals sound in the Russian language? Some of them might surprise you 😀

Cats say МЯУ-МЯУ [myá-oo] and МРРР [mrrrrr]

Dogs say ГАВ-ГАВ [gaf-gaf]

Pigs say ХРЮ-ХРЮ [khryu]

Cows say МУ-МУ [moo]

Roosters say КУ-КА-РЕ-КУ [coo-ka-reh-cóo]

Ducks say КРЯ-КРЯ [krya]

Frogs say КВА-КВА [kvah]

Horses say И-ГО-ГО [eé-goh-goh]

Mice say ПИ-ПИ-ПИ [pee]

Donkeys say ИА-ИА [ee-áh]

And how do animals sound in your language?:)

Real Russian phrases for everyday life

Real Russian phrases for everyday life

The most common Russian phrases

There are so many different ways of saying the same thing in our language! Unfortunately, most textbooks concentrate on “textbook Russian” and just skip the informal phrases. But in everyday life, people don’t speak that dry and boring language! That’s why it happens so often that a student who feels confident and ready, becomes so frustrated and disappointed when he or she meets the REAL Russian language with all its slang and idioms. That’s why I suggest to you to start learning real Russian phrases and words for everyday life right now. Let’s start with “How to say THANK YOU in Russian.”

  1. Большое спасибо – Thank you very much. Literally it means ‘big thanks.’ It emphasizes the level of your gratitude. Also it’s politer than just ‘спасибо’.
  2. Спасибо – Thanks. Just ‘thank you. It can be used everywhere with anyone.
  3. Благодарю – Thank you. It’s from the verb ‘благодарить’. You can use it both in formal and informal situations, but remember that among friends it would sound funny.
  4. С меня причитается – I owe you. The verb ‘причитаться’ means ‘to owe’. You use it when you want to do something in return.
  5. Спс/пасибки/спасибочки – informal ways of saying ‘thank you’ in messages. Some people use these forms of ‘спасибо’ in their speech and especially in text messages.

How to respond to ‘thank you’ in Russian.

  1. Пожалуйста – You are welcome. You can respond with ‘пожалуйста’ if you really did something for that person. Also don’t forget that the word ‘пожалуйста’ means ‘please,’ so don’t confuse them.
  2. Не за что – Don’t mention it. Literally means ‘nothing to thank for.’ You can use it if what you did for that person was not too difficult.
  3. Не стоит благодарности – Don’t mention it, nothing to thank for. Literally means “it’s not worth to be thanked for.” This phrase is a more formal version of ‘Не за что’.
  4. Рад (рада) помочь – I’m happy to help. Don’t forget that you can’t say ‘рад помогать’, only ‘рад помочь’. Very often it comes together with ‘не за что’. For example: – Спасибо! – Да не за что, я рад помочь.
  5. Вам (тебе) спасибо – And thank you. You can use this phrase when that person helped you too. Maybe you were doing some projects together. Or maybe it can be a dialogue with your guests:
  • Спасибо за прекрасный вечер!
  • Вам спасибо, что пришли.
  • Thank you for a wonderful evening!
  • And thank you for coming.

If you want to learn more phrases, check out my YouTube videos “5 ways of saying … in Russian:”

Check out my book ‘600 Real Russian phrases for everyday life’ HERE