a colloquial expression “дело десятое”

The colloquial expression “дело десятое” means:
1) Something non-essential, insignificant. It may be said, for example, about some unimportant details.
2) The most simple thing, the most simple part of a bigger affair.

This expression is only used in informal speech. There is a synonym which can also be used both in informal and in polite speech: “не суть важно”.

There are other expressions with similar (but not absolutely the same) meaning: Full text »

a colloquial expression “ниже плинтуса”

This expression is used to emphasize a very low level of something. It may mean somebody’s bad mood or somebody’s disrespect of another person.

The literal meaning is “below the plinth”.

Some examples of what can be “ниже плинтуса”:
somebody’s mood;
somebody’s authority or status; Full text »

2 Russian slang words about disclosure

Colloquial Russian language has a couple of words about disclosure: “спалить” and “пропалить”. Their meaning is almost the same and it is close to this: to discover the truth, to discover the information.

“спалить”
To discover somebody’s secret, to disclose somebody’s shady dealings, especially by seeing something what a person(s) is(are) doing. To see the process itself or the immediate result. Sometimes it may mean “to make public”.
Full text »

recent down time

I am sorry for the recent down time.
The site was blocked by the hosting provider because of a virus. Now the site is cleaned and recovered.
I recommend you to check your computers with some anti-viral tools.

the loanwords “device” and “gadget” in Russian

These two loanwords (“девайс” and “гаджет”) appeared in the Russian language in the beginning of 2000s. Possibly, the word “девайс” appeared as early as in 1990s. Their meaning is the same or almost the same as in English.
Full text »

a new slang loanword: “трэш”

Russian Internet users use another new slang loanword: “трэш” (from the English word “trash”).
This word is used to briefly describe:
* A situation of chaos, especially with extremely adverse atmosphere.
* When somebody is freaking out, making some meaningless things and having fun.
* Chaos in mind.
Other meanings are also possible.
Full text »

loanwords from English in Russian

Modern Russian language has a number of loanwords from English. Many of them appeared in 1990s, some of them appeared later. Some of them are unnecessary, they are the product of post-Soviet fashion. There was no need for them because they have direct analogs Russian.

The most stupid examples of adoption are: “дистрибьютор” (distributor, that is “распространитель”), “мерчандайзер” (merchandiser, that is “торговец”), “меседж” or “мессадж” (message, that is “сообщение”, “послание”).
Full text »

learning parts of speech

When we study parts of speech in Russian (or former Soviet) schools, we explain them. We often simply say that “(that part of speech) answers to (some kinds of questions)”.
For example:
“наречие отвечает на вопрос …” (“an adverb answers the question …”),
“существительное отвечает на вопрос что? или кто?” (“a noun answers to the question what? or who?”),
“глагол отвечает на вопрос что делать?” (“a verb answers to the question what to do?”),
etc.
Full text »

Popular expressions with the word “хрен”, part 3 (derivatives)

There are a number of derivatives of the slang word “хрен”.

Here are some verbs and expressions for something that makes an impression:
“охренеть!” or “охренеть можно!” (indicating an impression or a surprise; suitable both for good and for bad)
“я хренею” or “я охреневаю” (for funny, surprising or upsetting things or situations)

Some verbs describing different things:
“хреновый”, “хреново” (bad)
“хреновня”, “хренотень”, “хрень” (stuff, bullshit; it may be a material object or somebody’s words)
“хреновина” (thingy, thingumajig, doohickey, doosenwhacker; no negative view)
Full text »

Russian words related to realty

If you visit Russia for a long term or want to invest in Russian realty you need to know what words we use here when discussing or negotiating on realty.

Residential property in Russia

The most people in Russia, Ukraine and many parts of ex-USSR live in an accommodation that can be called a “condominium apartment” or a “flat”. Soviet and Russian standards are different from the Western standards (Russian standards are worse, unfortunately). Therefore I think there are no exact English word for this kind of buildings and accommodation. I will use the word “condominium” for all houses with multiple flats.
Full text »