Hello, Raine here. Welcome to my page dedicated to the Russian Language. I hope this helps all of my readers understand my Russian Character Christian better, and maybe learn the precise meaning of some of the Russian I use in my books. All that being said; I am not a native Russian speaker and I have not had the privilege of learning Russian from native speakers. All you read here is based completely on what I have learned in my online research in my private attempt to write a character with a Russian accent. I have entrusted all my faith that my sources are therefore accurate, but, if anyone should see any mistakes please feel free to email me with the corrections so that I may fix them.
Fisrt in this article is some marterial I learned about a Russian's accent while speaking English. Second is a list of English to Russian words and phrases that may or may not appear occasionally in my writing.
Russian Accent
Consonants
There are a few consonants that are pronounced differently in Russian. The Russian "r" is rolled slightly, a bit like an Irish accent, the "x" is pronounced like a hard/harsh "h", and the "g" is always the hard "g" as in "guitar".
And there are several English consonants that simply do not exist in Russian:
"j" or the soft "g"
"w"
"th"
To pronounce the English "j" sound, Russians will combine "d" with their letter "zh". It's a little like making sure you pronounce the "d" in "bridge".
The "w" sound is apparently impossible for Russian speakers. They have to substitute the "v" sound, or sometimes, the "oo" sound. Thus our "William" becomes "Vilyem," or "Uilyem."
The "th" sound is also nearly impossible. The voiced "th" in "that" will be pronounced as a "z" (like in bad French accents.)
In addition, Russians may have trouble keeping track of all of the silent consonants in English. So they may accidentally pronounce the "k" in "knife" or try to pronounce the "w" in "write" (remember, "w" comes out as "v" or "oo" for Russians).
Vowels
English vowels are not too hard for Russians, although the Russian vowel sounds are much more limited than in English, and given the opportunity, Russians will pronounce vowels in a Russian way, rather than an English way. Some English vowel sounds, like the "i" in "bite" are actually blends of vowel sounds that Russians know, so they aren't too difficult. But there are a couple of vowel sounds that Russians can't get.
Vowel Examples:
"a" as in "cat" becomes "ah" as the "a" in "bratwurst"
"a" in "fate" tends to become "eh" like the "e" in "set"
"i" as in "bite" is made from "ah" plus "ee"
"o" as in "cot" - probably pronounced with more of an "oh" sound
Grammar
Particles
Our use of "a," "an," and "the" is pretty illogical for Russian speakers. So they will often use these little words wrong. They frequently put "the" where it doesn't belong, or drop the particle completely. "That is a nice car" becomes "That is THE nice car" or "That is nice car."
Double Negatives
Russian grammar requires the use of double negatives in most situations, so Russians will occasionally use double negatives in English. This does NOT include the use of "ain't" which is a slang term that Russians probably wouldn't be comfortable with.
Progressive Verbs
The Russian language makes much more frequent use of progressive verbs than English does. Such verbs end in "ing" in English. "I am talking". "He was swimming". So Russians will tend to use them with great frequency when speaking English.
Simple/Long Sentences
On the one hand, Russians learn to use long, convoluted sentences in Russian, and so would like to do the same in English. On the other hand, they may not know enough English to feel comfortable in the attempt. So their English sentences may tend to be quite short. Or they may be long and awkwardly constructed.
Slang
Slang is one of the hardest things to learn in a new language. It comes with practice and time, but a Russian speaker will probably never be completely comfortable with English slang.
Adding Russian words
Russians will use Russian words when speaking English in various situations. First, when they don't know the English word and hope the Russian is close enough to the English equivalent, or that one of their listeners will be able to translate it for them. Second, if they're distracted or in a hurry, they may say the Russian unconsciously, not even realizing that they've slipped into a "foreign" language. Third, when the Russian is more or less talking to themselves, i.e. expressions of surprise, curses, muttering under their breath.
English to Russian Dictionary
Greetings and Introductions:
“Hi” – Pree-vyet
“Hello” – Zdrast-voo-tyah
“Good morning” – Do-brey oo-trah
“Good afternoon” (good day) – Doe-briy dyehn
“How do you do?” – ZdrAvstvuyte?
“How are things?” – Kak dela?
“Welcome” - DabrO pozhAlovat'
“Nice to meet you!” – Oh-chen pree-yat-nah!
“How are you?” – Kahk dee-lah?
“Fine thanks, and you?” – Khah-rah-show spah-see-bah, ah tih?
“What is your name?” – Used when addressing a child/someone younger – Kahk tih-byeh zah-voot?
“What is your name?” – Used when addressing an adult/someone older – Kahk vaz zah-voot?
“Where are you thinking of going to? What did you get ready for?” – Kuda namylilsya?
“My name is…” – Meen-yah zah-voot…
“Chitchat” – to talk or conversation – Bazaar
“Chew the fat” – to have a long conversation about many subjects – Lyasy tochit'
Farewells:
“Goodbye” – Das-vih-dah-nyah
“Goodnight” – Spah-koy-nih no-che
“I must be going” - Mne nAdo idtI
“Bye for now” – Pok-A (short O)
“See you soon” - Do vstr-ee-chi
“So long” - Do sk-oh-rova svid-ah-ni-yah
“All the best” – Vseg-oh nail-U-chshego
“Good luck!” – Ud-ah-chi!
“Till we meet again” - Do noh-vyh vstr-ee-ch!
“Sweet dreams” – Priy-ah-tnyh sn-oh-v
“See you!” - UvIdimsya!
Pleasantries:
“Yes” – Dah
“No” – Nyet
“Please” (or You’re Welcome) – Pah-zhalu-stah
“Thank you” – Spah-see-bah
“Thank you very much” - Spaseebo balsho-ye
“Excuse me” (or “Sorry”) – Eez-vih-nee-tyah
“Pardon?” – Prast-I-te?
“I’m Sorry” – Press-tee min-yah
“I (don’t) understand” – Yah (nih) pah-nee-mah-yu
“I do not understand” – Ya ne v'ezzhayu.
Love and Friendship:
To fall in love – Vtyurit'sya
Make eyes at someone – To show that one finds (someone) sexually attractive by looking at them in an inviting way. – Stroit' glazki
“I love you” – Yah lyu-blue
“I love you with all my heart, with all my soul” – Lyu-blue tih-byah vsem see-rtsem, vseey dush-oh-yu
“You are mine forever” – Tee my-oh nahf-seeg-dah
“You’re my little Angel” – Moy mi-liy Angle (hard G)
“My Angel” – Angle moy (hard G)
“My Sweet” – Lah-skovaya moy-A
“My Sweetheart” – Lyu-bImaya moy-A
“Come to me, my love” – Lyu-boh-v' moy-A, prid-I ka mnee
“I will always love you” – Ya bU-du vsegd-ah lyu-bIt' teby-A
“You are so beautiful” – Ti tak-ah-ya kras-I-vayah
“You are so magnificent” – Ti tak velikol-ee-pnah
“You are so cute” – Ti tak-ah-ya prel-ee-snayah
“You are so glamorous” – Ti tak-A-ya ocharov-A-tel'nayah
“My joy” – Radost' moy-ah
“Will you marry me?” – Ti viy-desh za me-ny-A?
“I love you so much.” – Ya tak lyub-ly-U te-by-A.
“You are all that I need.” – Tee vsy-oh, chto mne n-U-zsh-no.
“Baby” – as in a tender name for a girl – Kroshka
“God loves you” – Bohg lyu-beet vas
“Buddy”, “kiddo” – Chuvak
“Buddy”, “dude” – man, guy – Priyatel'
Exclamations:
“Wait!” – Pah-stoy!
“Gosh!” – used to express surprise, amazement, and/or annoyance. – blyaha-muha!
“Crickey!”, “Golly!” – expression of surprise. – Obaldet'!
“No Way!” – used to express surprise, amazement, and/or disbelief – Ni Khu-ya!
“Ouch!” – An exclamation of pain. – Oj!
“Excellent!” – Ostokhuitel’no!
“Good!” – Khah-rah-show!
“Oh shit!” – expressing surprise. – Chyort voz'mi!
Commands and shouts:
“Come here!” – Ee-deesh-hoo-dah!
“Listen!” – Slew-shit!
“Hush!” – Tee-haa! (long E)
“Stop” – Stope (Long O)
“Do not tell lies”. – Ne goni purgu.(or) Ne svisti.
“Watch your tongue!” Sledi za bazarom!
“Shut up!” – be or make quiet. Zatknis'!
“I' m sick and tired of you!” – Ty menya dostal!
“I don’t give a damn.” – Kher s nim
“I don’t give a fuck about it.” – Men-ya eto ne eb’et
“I don't give a shit what you think.” – Mne nasrat', chto ty dumaesh'.
“Get Down” – lay down – Lah-zheesh
“Shake a leg!” – Hurry up! – Shevelis'!
“Go to your room” – Ee-deet svie-ya kom-net-ta
“Go to sleep” – Eedee spat
“Piss off” – go away, live me alone. – Otvali.
“Get lost or I’ll kick your ass!” – Oto’idi, a to jeb-nut!
Reassurances and confessions:
“I forgive you” – Yah prah-shoy tih-byah
“This is a gift” – Et-ah pah-dah-rok
“Everything is okay” – Vseo ho-ro-sho
“It’s okay, don’t worry” – Neecheevoo
“Do not worry!” – Ne gruzis'!
“(It’s) a piece of cake.” – Kak dav pal’tsa obo-ssat’
“Stay by me” – Stoy reeadom
“Calm down” –Oo spa-koy-sa
“Be careful” – Ahs-tah-roe-zhna
“It’s not safe” – Eta ah-pahs-nah
“That’s not allowed” – Eta nee lzyah
“I’m scared” – Yah buyyuz
“I don’t care” – Mne do lampochki. (or) Mne po barabanu.
“I am too lazy” – Mne v lom.
“It doesn’t matter” – Ne eb’et
Common Words and Phrases:
Chill out – Ostyn'
Antsy, jumpy – nervous (about a person.) – Dyorganyj
“Devour”, “gorge” – 1) eat quickly and greedily 2) drink alcohol – Zhrat'
“Booze” – alcoholic drinks. – Pojlo
To have meals, to eat. – Havat'
“Chow” – food – Havchik
“Green back” – money – Kapusta
“Car” – four wheels – Tachka
“Gun” – literally means cannon – Pushka
“Dolled up” – festively dressed. – Rasfufyrennyj
“Corpse” – dead person – Zhmurik
“Kick the bucket” – to die. – Sygrat' v yashchik
“Witch” – Wed'ma
“You are so wise” – Ti tak-A-ya m-U-drayah
“You are so talented” – Ti tak-A-ya tal-A-ntlivayah
“So-so.” – used in response to how one is doing. – TAk sebe.
“I haven't the faintest idea.” – Ne im-ee-yu ni mal-ee-isheva predstavl-ee-niya
“I wouldn't know.” – Atk-U-da mne zn-A-t'
“I don't get it.” – Ne p-oh-nyal
“Okay” – Narm-A-l'no
“Trust me” – Dov-ee-r`sya mne
“I'm here” – Ya zdes`
“Congratulations!” - Pozdravlyayu!
“Marvellous!” – Yzumitelno!
Insults and Curse-words:
“Ass”, “asshole” – 1) buttocks 2) fiasco, deplorable mess or mix-up 3) bad person. – Zho-pah
“Ass” – abusive word meaning a bad man. – Kozyol
“Bastard” – an abusive word denoting a person who is bad, unfair, unkind, etc. – Svoloch’
“Bitch” – used the same as in English – Suka
“Bull shit.” – used he same as in English – Chush' sobach'ya
“Damn it!” – used in frustration, annoyance, and anger – Chyort poberi!
“Dick” – penis – Khuy
“Dickhead” – used he same as in English – Dol-boy’eb
“Dummy” - a “blockhead” – Bol-ván
“Dumbass” – used he same as in English – Mu-dil-o
“Freak” – Monster – U’eb-its-che
“Fool” – silly male person. – durak
“Fool” – silly female person. – dura
“Fuck” – a vulgar slang meaning to have sex – Trahat'sya
“Fuck off!” – Very rude phrase meaning :"Get out of here!" – Vali otsyuda!
“Fuck off”– Yeb vas
“Fucking liar” – Pizdobol
“Fucking shit!” – expressing anger/annoyance or surprise. (A bit milder than its English equivalent.) – Tvoyu mat'!
“Fuck you” – Poshyol ty'
“Jock-strap” – referring to in an insulting way a body-builder or athlete. – Kachok
“Loser” – Loh
“You are a loser” – Ja Pycckij pidaras
“Rotten faggot” – Pi-dar gro-inyj
“Shit” – used like the English counterpart in frustration or anger – Der’mo
“Shoot!”, “Darn!”, “Fudge!” – used to express a wide range of emotions from admiration to despair depending on situation and intonation. – Blin!
“Slut” – Shliuha
“Son-of-a-bitch” – Used like the English variant – Sukin syn
“Star” – 1) celebrity 2) usually negative: a person who behaves as if he/she is outstanding. – Zvezda
“Swine”, “crook”, “scoundrel” – used as an old-fashioned insult – Styer-vo
(An) Unpleasant woman – not used as an insult as much as a description – Mymra
“Whore” – Bliad'
“Whore's son” – Veeblyadok
Why? or, What the fuck? – Na Khu-ya?
“Womanizer” – sometimes used as an insult, a man who habitually pays attention to many women for sexual purposes. – Babnik
I hope you all enjoyed this and learned something.
