In this lesson, you will find Russian expressions used when you meet people and you will learn:
- How to introduce yourself in Russian
- How to ask and answer simple questions in Russian
- More info about formal and informal forms of address in Russian
I. Let me introduce myself
Listen and answer the question:
Audio 1
Audio 2
II. Nice to meet you!
a) Listen to Russian expressions used when you meet people and repeat after the speaker:
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Разрешите представиться. |
– |
Let me introduce myself (for formal introduction) |
|
Меня зовут ... |
– |
My name is ... |
|
Я ... |
– |
I am ... * |
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Как Вас зовут? |
– |
What is your name? (formal) |
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Как тебя зовут? |
– |
What is your name? (informal) |
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Приятно познакомиться. |
– |
Nice to meet you. |
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Очень приятно. |
– |
Very glad (to meet you) |
Notes: The absence of verbs in Russian sentences
Notice that the usage of verbs is not always required in Russian sentences. In particular, the present tense of the Russian verb быть to be is not used, that is why the following examples contain no verbs:
Я Джон . – I'm John. literally: I John.
Это Сэм . – This is Sam. literally: This Sam.
b) Listen to the Russian words and choose the right translation from the list:
III. Introducing yourself
a) Learn the following Russian pronouns:
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Я |
– |
I |
|
Ты |
– |
You (informal)* |
|
Вы |
– |
You* |
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Это |
– |
This |
Notes: Russian equivalent for the English "You"
There are three Russian words which may be equivalent to the English word "You":
- ты that is used in informal situation for addressing to one person
- Вы (with uppercase в) that is used in formal situation for addressing to one person
- вы (with lowercase в) that is used both in informal and formal situations for addressing to several persons
b) Using the above-mentioned pronouns, translate into Russian and check yourself:
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1. I am John Green. |
Check yourself
|
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2. You are Sarah Winston. (informal) |
Check yourself
|
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3. This is Alex. |
Check yourself
|
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4. I am Sam Brown. |
Check yourself
|
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5. You are David Walker (formal) |
Check yourself
|
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6. This is Mary Robertson. |
Check yourself
|
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7. You are Sandra. (informal) |
Check yourself
|
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8. You are Linda Gibson. (formal) |
Check yourself
|
IV. Simple quesions
Notes: How to ask and answer simple questions in Russian
Usually, Russians do not use special grammar constructions or word to ask questions. Questions are commonly expressed by intonation. When answering simple questions in Russian, you can use words да yes and нет no.
Look at the following examples:
Вы Линда? - Да, я Линда.
Ты Николай? - Нет, я Сергей.
Это Роберт? - Да, это Роберт.
a) Give a positive answer following the model to the questions. Note that Russians may begin their questions with "Извините, пожалуйста" when addressing to an unknown person.
Model:
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Are you Sam Brown? -Yes, I am Sam Brown. |
Questions
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Ты Лесли Робертсон?? - ... |
Check yourself
|
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Вы Джордж Стоун? - ... |
Check yourself
|
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Это Крис? - ... |
Check yourself
|
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Извините, пожалуйста, Вы Линда Уолт? - ... |
Check yourself
|
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Ты Стив? - ... |
Check yourself
|
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Извините, пожалуйста, вы Донна Паркер? - ... |
Check yourself
|
b) Give a negative answer following the model to the questions.
Model:
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Are you Sam Brown? -No, I am John Brown. |
Questions
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Ты Мери Голдберг? - (Lesley Robertson)... |
Check yourself
|
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Вы Шон Уаилд? - (George Stone) |
Check yourself
|
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Это Джефф? - (Chris) |
Check yourself
|
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Извините, пожалуйста, Вы Луиза Бин? - (Linda Walt) |
Check yourself
|
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Ты Эдвард? - (Steve) |
Check yourself
|
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Извините, пожалуйста, Вы Синтия Снайпс? - (Donna Parker) |
Check yourself
|
c) Translate into Russian and check yourself:
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1. Are you Kate Robertson? (informal) |
Check yourself
|
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2. Is this Kim? |
Check yourself
|
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3. Are you Michal Stone? |
Check yourself
|
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4. Excuse me, please, are you Linda Parker? |
Check yourself
|
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5. Are you Melissa? (informal) |
Check yourself
|
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6. Excuse me, please, are you Sara Brick? |
Check yourself
|
V. Mini-dialogues
Associate questions and answers: