by Erin Coyne
Usual y abbreviated as
( ChM).
The 4 B’s
che-TI-re be
This stands for the four B’s of Russian soccer:
(“I’ve scored, I score, I wil score”). This was the motto of the famous Russian
footbal er Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
Who do you think will win the UEFA Cup this year?
kak ti DU-ma-yesh, kto vi-i-GRA-yet KU-bok u-ef-a v
E-tom go-DU?
Hockey
kho-KKYEI
Stanley Cup
KU-bok STYE-nli
Did you see how he slammed that puck in the net?
ti VI-dyel, kak on za-BRO-sil SHAI-bu v SYET-ku?
Hey, he should get a penalty shot for that!
ei, on DOL-zhen za E-to po-lu-CHIT BU-llit!
What’s the penalty for boarding?
ka-KOI shtraf na tol-CHOK na bort?
MARTIAL ARTS〉〉〉
BO-YE-VI-YE IS-KU-SSTVA
Judo
jyu-DO
Karate
ka-ra-TE
Aikido
ai-ki-DO
Jujitsu
ji-u-JIT-su
Tai kwon do
tae--kvon-DO
Tennis
TYE-nnis
Wimbledon Championships
u-im-bl-DON-skii tur-NIR
Nice backhand!
KLASS-nii u-DAR SLYE-va!
Anna Kournikova looks smokin’ in her tennis whites.
A-nna KUR-ni-ko-va o-fi-GYE-nno VI-glya-dit v svo-YOM TYE-nnis-nom ko-STYU-mye.
.
Figure skating
fi-GUR-no-ye ka-TA-ni-ye
That was an amazing double axel!
E-to bil o-bal-DYE-nii dvoi-NOI AK-syel!
The Russian judges always cheat.
RU-sski-ye SU-dyi vsyeg-DA much-LYU-yut.
.
Are all male figure skaters gay?
RAZ-vye vsye muzh-SKI-ye fi-gu-RIS-ti go-lu-BI-ye?
Gymnastics
gim-NAS-ti-ka
I bet that gymnast would be wild in bed!
na-vyer-nya-KA E-ta gim-NAST-ka bye-ZUM-na v
po-STYE-li!
The chicks always blow
it on the balance beam.
DYEV-ki vsyeg-DA ob-LA-mi-va-yu-tsya na
bryev-NYE.
.
The uneven bars are
the shit!
raz-no-vi-SO-ki-ye
BRU-sya—SA-ma-ya kru-tiz-NA!
—
Boxing
boks
What a knockout! That hadda hurt!
ka-KOI nok-A-ut! E-to na-VYER-no-ye BOL-no!
Weightlifting
tya-ZHO-la-ya at-LYE-ti-ka
Weightlifter
shtan-GIST
Sure, steroids make you strong, but they also make
you sterile.
ko-NYECH-no stye-RO-i-di DYE-la-yut te-BYA SIL-nim, no ye-SCHO DYE-la-yut te-BYA byes-PLOD-nim.
.
Skiing
ka-TA-ni-ye na LI-zhakh
I hate cross-country, but I love downhill skiing.
ya nye-na-VI-zhu LIZH-ni-ye GON-ki, no lyu-BLYU
GOR-ni-ye LI-zhi.
.
Free-style skiing
is pronounced like in the English ( fri-STAIL).
Other kinds of sports
dru-GI-ye VI-di SPOR-ta
Track and field
LYOG-ka-ya at-LYE-ti-ka
That runner is a doper.
E-tot bye-GUN—KHI-mik.
Water sports
VOD-ni-ye VI-di SPOR-ta
Swimming
PLA-va-ni-ye
Note that there are two basic verbs meaning “to swim”:
( PLA-vat) refers to something like swimming laps, whereas
( ku-PA-tsya) is
more like going for a dip/goofing around in the water.
Surfing
SYOR-fing
Man, the waves are really weak here.
blin, VOL-ni tut khye-RO-vi-ye.
Fishing
ri-BAL-ka
Do you know where I could do some fishing?
ti nye ZNA-yesh, gdye tut MOZH-no po-ri-BA-chit?
Extreme sports
ek-STRIM sport
Skateboarding
skeit-BOR-ding
Sometimes just cal ed
(skeit).
That was one awesome skate ramp!
E-tot drop bil SU-pyer-skii!
Snowboarding
sno-u-BOR-ding
Skydiving
prizh-kI s pa-ra-SHU-tom
Rock climbing
ska-lo-LA-za-ni-ye
Auto racing
av-to-GON-ki
Drag racing
drag REI-sing
Exercise
u-prazh-NYE-ni-ye
I do...
ya za-ni-MA-yus...
Remember, this verb takes the instrumental case.
yoga.
YO-goi.
DANCING〉〉〉
TAN-TSI
Ballroom dancing
BAL-ni-ye TAN-tsi
Ballet
ba-LYεT
Folk dancing
na-ROD-ni-ye TAN-tsi
Salsa
SAL-sa
Belly dancing
TA-nyets zh i-vo-TA
Tango
TAN-go
Hip-hop
khip KHOP
Swing
sving
aerobics.
ae-RO-bi-koi.
bodybuilding.
bo-di-BIL-din-gom.
powerlifting.
po-uer-LIF-tin-gom.
dance.
TAN-tsa-mi.
Where can I do some pull-ups?
gdye tut MOZH-no DYE-lat pod-TYA-gi-va-ni-ye?
Do you know a good gym?
ti nye ZNA-yesh kho-RO-shii trye-ni-RO-voch-nii zal?
Where can I work out?
gdye MOZH-no po-trye-ni-ro-VA-tsya?
Do a lot of people jog in Russia?
MNO-gi-ye LYU-di za-ni-MA-yu-tsya JO-ggin-gom v
ro-SSII?
The answer, by the way, is no.
I want to work my...
ya kho-CHU ka-CHAT...
..
muscles.
MISH-tsi.
abs.
pryess.
guns (i.e., biceps).
BAN-ki.
triceps.
TRI-tseps.
delts.
DYEL-tu.
pecs.
grud-NI-ye MISH-tsi.
thighs.
BYO-dra.
calves.
I-kri.
glutes.
ya-go-DI-tsi.
Game time
po-RA i-GRAT
Let’s play some…
po-i-GRA-yem v…
pool.
bil-YARD.
ping-pong.
na-STOL-nii TYE-nnis.
foosball.
KI-kyer.
darts.
darts.
paintball.
peint-BOL.
video games.
vi-de-o-I-gri.
Let’s play some Frisbee.
da-VAI po-i-GRA-yem v FRIZ-bi.
.
Frisbee is the name of the game, but if you’re referring to the actual disk, you’d use the fol owing:
Let’s toss around the frisbee.
da-VAI po-bro-SA-yem le-TA-yu-schu-yu ta-RYEL-ku.
.
Which is also the word for flying saucer.
Let’s go bowling.
poi-DYOM i-GRAT v BO-u-ling.
.
I love games of chance.
ya lyu-BLYU a-ZART-ni-ye I-gri.
.
I prefer games of skill.
ya pryed-po-chi-TA-yu ko-MMYER-chis-ki-ye I-gri.
.
If you try to cheat, I’ll blow the whistle on you.
YES-li po-pi-TA-yesh-sya
mukh-lye-VAT, ya te-BYA
vlo-ZHU.
.
Let’s play some cards.
da-VAI po-i-GRA-yem v KAR-ti.
Do you know how to play...?
ti u-MYE-yesh i-GRAt v...?
poker
PO-kyer
Texas hold’em
tye-KHASS-kii KHOL-dyem
Omaha poker
PO-kyer o-MA-kha
Durak
du-RAK
This is without a doubt the most popular card game in Russia. The object of the game is to get rid of al your cards. The last person holding is the durak, or fool.
Solitaire
pa-SYANS
Bridge
brij
Preference
prye-fe-RANS
This is a popular Russian variation of bridge simplified to be played without the two to six cards.
Chess
SHAKH-ma-ti
While chess may seem like a total geek “sport,” it’s huge in Russia and offers a powerful platform to its best competitors. Grandmaster Gary Kasparov, for instance, has organized numerous political opposition protests, even joining forces with legendary writer and al -around badass Eduard Limonov, the leader of the radical National Bolshevik Party. Now just try to tel me that only geeks play chess.
CARD SHARK〉〉〉
Suit
mast
Clubs
TRYε-fi
Spades
PI-ki
Hearts
CHYεR-vi
Diamonds
BUB-ni
Ace
tuz
King
ko-ROL
Queen
DA-ma
Jack
va-LYεT
Could you teach me to play chess?
ti bi mog me-NYA na-u-CHIT i-GRAT v SHAKH-ma-ti?
How does this piece move?
kak DVI-ga-ye-tsya E-ta fi-GU-ra?
King
ko-ROL
Queen
fyerz
Also cal ed
(ko-ro-LYE-va).
Bishop
slon
Also cal ed
(o-fi-TSER).
Knight
kon
Rook
la-DYA
Also cal ed тур (tur).
Pawn
PYESH-ka
Check
shakh
Checkmate
mat
Мат
Stalemate
pat
Gambling
GEM-bling
But of course, the best thing about sports is the opportunity to make a little easy money off of someone else’s hard work.
Illegal gambling
a-ZART-na-ya i-GRA, za-prye-SCHO-nna-ya za-KO-nom
Legal gambling
a-ZART-na-ya i-GRA, raze-rye-SHO-nna-ya za-KO-nom
A bet
STAV-ka
Where’s the nearest slots arcade?
gdye SA-ma-ya bli-ZHAI-scha-ya bo-go-DYEL-nya?
He’s a serious gambler.
on sye-RYOZ-nii i-GROK.
.
Do you happen to know an honest bookie?
ti slu-CHAI-no nye ZNA-yesh CHES-no-vo buk-MYE-ke-ra?
I usually bet on the dog.
ya o-BICH-no STAV-lyu na dog.
.
Where can I place a bet on the game?
gdye MOZH-no za-KLYU-chat pa-RI na match?
What are the odds on the Russian National Team?
ka-KOI kyef na SBOR-nu-yu ro-SSII?
Oddsmaker
gan-di-KA-pper
Also cal ed a
(KA-pper) for short.
When a bookie lengthens the odds to attract more
bets
za-ma-NU-kha
Vigorish
MAR-zha
That is, the bookie’s commission on a bet.
What’s the over/under on this game?
ka-KOI na E-tom MA-tchye niz/vyerkh?
Also cal ed
(BOL-she/MYEN-she).
CHAPTER 9
HUNGRY RUSSIAN
GO-LOD-Nl RU-SSKI
One of the great things about Russia is the food. Russians love homecookin’ and are general y pretty skil ed at preparing it (wel , at least the women are). Precooked, prepackaged food cal ed
( po-lu-fa-bri-KAT) is widely available, but most Russians won’t eat preservative-
fil ed crap. Which brings me to my next point. “Preservative” in Russian is
( kon-ser-VANT). The Russian cognate
( prye-
zyer-va-TIV) means condom. When enjoying a meal in Russia, try not to confuse the two.
Let’s eat!
da-VAI po-KU-sha-yem!
I’m hungry (masculine).
ya GO-lo-dyen.
I’m hungry (feminine).
ya go-lod-NA.
I wanna chow down.
kho-CHU po-ZHRAT.
You’ll feel hungry as soon as you start to eat.
a-ppye-TIT pri-KHO-dit vo VRYE-mya ye-DI.
This is a common Russian saying.
I’m as hungry as a wolf.
ya GO-lo-dyen kak volk.
I’m dying of starvation.
ya u-mi-RA-yu s GO-lo-du.
I can’t think on an empty stomach.
ya nye mo-GU DU-mat na-to-SCHAK.
.
After work I just want to stuff my fucking face.
PO-sle ra-BO-ti KHO-che-tsya PRO-sto na-yeb-NUT.
.
Do you have anything to nosh on?
YEST u te-BYA CHTO-ni-BUD po-KHA-vat?
Let’s grab a bite to eat!
da-VAI pye-rye-KU-sim!
Let’s stop by a cafeteria.
da-VAi zai-DYOM v sto-LO-vu-yu.
Usual y Soviet style, very cheap, and reeking of kotlety, mashed potatoes, cabbage, and kompot.
How much should we leave for a tip?
SKOL-ko o-STA-vit cha-ye-VIKH?
It has become pretty common for Russian wait staff to expect a tip, no matter how lousy the service is.
Do they take plastic here?
tut pri-ni-MA-yut krye-DIT-ki?
Grub
ZHRACH-ka
Bon appétit!
pri-YAT-no-vo a-ppye-TI-ta!
Let’s get the food on the table.
da-VAI na-KRO-yem na stol.
Help yourself! Don’t be shy!
u-go-SCHAI-sya! nye styes-NYAI-sya!
We have more than enough!
u nas vsye-VO KHVA-tit s go-lo-VOI!
I prefer home-cooked meals.
ya pryed-po-chi-TA-yu do-MASH-nyu-yu KUKH-nyu.
.
I never say no to a chance to chow for free.
ya ni-kog-DA nye ot-KA-zi-va-yus ot SHAN-sa po-KU-shat na kha-LYA-vu.
.
My hotel offers a buffet-style breakfast.
mo-YA gos-TI-ni-tsa pryed-la-GA-yet SHVED-skii stol
na ZAV-trak.
That meat is crazy expensive!
E-to MYA-so STO-it BYE-she-ni-ye DYEN-gi!
We’ve got a ton of munchies here.
u nas tut KHAV-chi-ka na-VA-lom.
I have a sweet tooth.
ya slad-ko-YEZH-ka.
I want a cheese sandwich.
ya kho-CHU bu-ter-BROD s SI-rom.
.
Keep in mind that buterbrody are general y open-faced sandwiches, so if you order a buterbrod s sirom, expect a slice of bread, a slab of butter, and a slice of cheese. Some places offer American-style sandwiches. These are general y cal ed
(SEND-vi-chi).
Fast food
fast fud
Personal y, I think it’s pretty lame when foreigners go to Russia and eat at McDonald’s. Why on earth would you spend the time, money, and energy to travel halfway around the world just to eat the same overcooked crap that you can get at the burger joint down the street? But whatever. If you have a Mac Attack in Moscow, you wil not suf
fer for long. McDonald’s plans for world domination are nearly complete, and you can hear those familiar golden arches cal ing your name from just about every part of town.
Let’s go to McDonald’s!
poi-DYOM v Mak-DO-nalds!
I’ll have a...
ya BU-du...
Big Mac.
big MAC.
Filet-O-Fish.
fi-LE-o-FISH
Cheeseburger.
CHIZ-bur-ger.
Double Cheeseburger.
dvoi-NOI CHIZ-bur-ger.
Chicken McNuggets.
CHI-ken mak-NA-ggets.
Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
RO-yal CHIZ-bur-ger.
Ah yes, the Royale cheeseburger. As John Travolta astutely observes in Pulp Fiction: “They got the metric system there, they wouldn’t know what the fuck a quarter pounder is.”
Big N’ Tasty.
big TEI-sti.
That was one nasty hamburger!
E-to bil vo-ob-SCHE pro-TIV-nii GAM-bur-ger!
Man, I love fries!
blin, ya lyu-BLYU fri!
Could I get some ketchup?
MOZH-no chut KE-tchu-pa?
Can you get a decent pizza anywhere in Russia?
MOZH-no na-i-TI GDYE-ni-BUD v ro-SSII nor-MAL-nu-yu
PITS-tsu?
?
Do you know if that pizzeria delivers?
nye ZNA-yesh, YEST li u E-toi pits-tse-RII do-STAV-ka
na dom?
Не
I think I got food poisoning from that hot dog.
po-MO-ye-mu ya o-tra-VIL-sya E-tim khot-DO-gom.
.
I’m thirsty
mnye KHO-che-tsya pit
I want to drink...
kho-CHU po-PIT.. .
Note this phrase is fol owed by the accusative.
some water.
vo-DICH-ku.
Be sure to stress this word right: vo-DICH-ku. If you stress it on the first syl able, it wil sound like you are asking for some vodka.
soda pop.
ga-zi-ROV-ku.
Gazirovka is short for
( ga-zi-RO-va-nna-ya vo-DA). Note that there is a Russian word
( SO-da), but that refers to baking soda.