Language/Russian/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions
Hi Russian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning idiomatic expressions in Russian that will help you sound more like a native speaker. Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a different meaning from the literal translation of the words used. They add flavor and depth to the language and make it more interesting. So, let's get started!
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Architecture & Animals.
Basic Idiomatic Expressions[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some basic idiomatic expressions that will help you in your day-to-day conversations.
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| быть на коне́ц! | bit' na konyétz! | to be on top of the world |
| уви́дел дья́вола | uvéedil dyávala | to see the devil (to be extremely surprised) |
| иметь место́ | imét' mestó | to take place |
| ни све́та, ни зари́ | ni svéta, ni zarí | in the middle of nowhere |
| в воду́ кину́ть | v vodú kinút' | to throw to the wind (to waste) |
| бе́жать как от огня́ | bézhat' kak ot ogná | to run like the wind (to run very fast) |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Я вчера увидел дьявола. (I saw the devil yesterday.)
- Person 2: Действительно? Что случилось? (Really? What happened?)
- Person 1: Я не ожидал, что он такой высокий будет. (I didn't expect him to be so tall.)
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Russians often use idiomatic expressions related to the body to describe their feelings or to explain something. Here are a few examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| сесть на шею́ | syest' na shye'yú | to be a burden |
| взять в тиски́ | vzyat' v tiskí | to take into custody |
| уве́рнуться в его́вости | uvérnut'sya v egóvasti | to be sure (to tie oneself into knots) |
| гнать ло́шадей | gnát' lóshadey | to drink (to hit the bottle) |
| бить бакла́ху | bít' bakláhu | to brag (to blow one's own trumpet) |
| смотре́ть све́рху вниз | smotryét' svérhu vniz | to be arrogant |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Мне нужна твоя помощь. (I need your help.)
- Person 2: Я сделаю все, что в моих силах, но не хочу, чтобы ты на меня сел. (I'll do what I can, but I don't want you to be a burden on me.)
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Russians often use expressions related to time to describe a situation. Here are some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| все́ быстре́е | vse bystréye | time flies |
| переть че́рез кра́й | peryét' chérez kráy | to be at wit's end |
| до тре́х раз счи́тай! | do trékh raz schítaî! | to be extremely careful |
| провести́ время́ | pravestí vryémya | to spend time |
| работа́ть на износ | rabotát' na iznos | to work very hard |
| брать вре́мя | brat' vrémya | to take one's time |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Снаружи было уже темно, а я еще проводил время с друзьями. (It was already dark outside, but I was still hanging out with my friends.)
- Person 2: Зачем же ты так работаешь на износ? Не нужно так уставать. (Why do you work so hard? Don't tire yourself out.)
Idiomatic Expressions for Emotions[edit | edit source]
Russian idiomatic expressions cover a wide range of emotions. Here are some interesting examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| на душе́ тоска | na dushé toska | to feel blue |
| кровь из но́са | krov' iz nósa | to be angry |
| ду́ша в пятки́ ушла́ | dushá v pyatki ushlá | to be frightened |
| без улыбки́ жизнь прожить нельзя́ | bez ulýbki zhizn' prozhit' nel'zya | life without smiles is impossible |
| заткну́ть рот | zatknút' rot | to shut up (to close one's mouth) |
| как зе́ркало | kak zérkalo | to be like a mirror (to be mutual) |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Ты почему такой тоскливый? (Why are you feeling blue?)
- Person 2: Я просто устал. (I'm just tired.)
- Person 1: Пойдем на прогулку, это поможет тебе поднять настроение! (Let's go for a walk, it will help you cheer up!)
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Russians often use expressions related to food to describe a situation or to explain something. Here are some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| есть до отвала | yest' do otvala | to eat one's fill |
| печень отводит | pechen' otvadít | to be very surprised |
| все как по маслу́ | vse kak po maslú | to be done without difficulties (like clockwork) |
| кашу маслом не испортишь | kashú maslom ne isportish' | more of the same is not always bad |
| есть на что смотре́ть | yest' na chto smotryét' | pleasant to the eye (to be worth looking at) |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Это моя самая любимая еда. (This is my favorite food.)
- Person 2: Неудивительно, что ты ешь до отвала каждый раз, когда видишь это блюдо. (No wonder you eat your fill every time you see this dish.)
Express Yourself Beautifully with Idiomatic Expressions[edit | edit source]
Learning and practicing idiomatic expressions is a great way to improve your Russian language skills. It will help you understand the culture and the way Russians express themselves. Don't be afraid to try them out! If you don't know someone to practice with, head over to Polyglot Club to find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Remember, building a strong vocabulary is necessary for mastering any language, so make sure to check out the Russian Vocabulary section for more resources. Keep learning and practicing, and you'll be speaking like a native in no time!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos[edit | edit source]
Intermediate Russian: Negative Idioms with НИ - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Car
- Professions
- Days of the Week
- Vegetables
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- At a Party
- 4 Seasons of the Year
- Sports
- Animal Sounds
- Countries and Continents
Sources[edit | edit source]
- 20 Russian Idioms to Get Your Head Around - LingQ Blog
- Russian Idioms - Meaning and Examples
- 51 Hilarious Russian Idioms That Will Make You Giggle - The ...