Language/Russian/Vocabulary/Relationships-and-Marital-Status
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As a language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I believe that mastering vocabulary related to relationships and marital status is crucial for effective communication in Russian. In this lesson, we will cover key terms that will enable you to ask questions, describe your own relationship status, and understand the relationship status of others.
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: House & Jurisprudence.
Vocabulary
Below are some of the most important words and phrases related to relationships and marital status in Russian.
Relationship Status
A person's relationship status refers to whether they are single or currently in a relationship. The following words and phrases are commonly used to describe relationship status:
Russian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
одинокий (odinokiy) | ədʲɪ'no.kʲɪj | single, lonely |
свободный (svobodnyy) | sva.ɐ'bo.dnɨj | single, available |
занятый (zanyatyy) | zɐ'nʲæ.tɨj | taken, busy |
встречающийся (vstrechayushchiysya) | fstrʲɪ'tʃa.ʉ̞.ɕːɨj.sʲʉ̞ | seeing someone |
женат (zhenat) | ʐɨ'nat | married (for men) |
замужем (zamuzhem) | zɐ'mu.ʐɨm | married (for women) |
разведен (razveden) | rɐz'vʲɛdʲɪn | divorced |
вдовец (vdovets) | vdɐ'vʲɛts | widower |
вдова (vdova) | vdɐ'va | widow |
Asking About Relationship Status
Here are some phrases you can use to ask about someone's relationship status:
- Вы замужем? (Vy zamuzhem?) - Are you married? (to a woman)
- Вы женаты? (Vy zhenaty?) - Are you married? (to a man)
- Вы разведены? (Vy razvedeny?) - Are you divorced?
- У вас есть парень/девушка? (U vas yest' paren'/devushka?) - Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
- Вы свободны? (Vy svobodny?) - Are you single?
Describing Your Relationship Status
Here are some phrases you can use to describe your relationship status:
- Я свободный (Ya svobodnyy) - I am single.
- Я занятый (Ya zanyatyy) - I am taken/busy.
- Я встречаюсь (Ya vstrechayus') - I am seeing someone.
- Я женат (Ya zhenat) - I am married (for men).
- Я замужем (Ya zamuzhem) - I am married (for women).
- Я разведен (Ya razveden) - I am divorced.
- Я вдовец (Ya vdovets) - I am a widower.
- Я вдова (Ya vdova) - I am a widow.
Other Related Vocabulary Words
Here are some additional vocabulary words related to relationships and marital status:
Russian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
пара (para) | pɐ'ra | couple |
отношения (otnosheniya) | ɐt.nɐ'ʂɛ.nʲɪ.jɪ | relationship |
брак (brak) | brak | marriage |
свадьба (svadbá) | svɐd'ba | wedding |
развод (razvod) | rɐz'vot | divorce |
Cultural Tips
As you learn vocabulary words related to relationships and marital status, it's important to keep in mind that some Russian cultural norms may differ from those in your own country. Here are a few tips:
- In Russia, it is common for couples to live together before getting married, and it is not unusual for couples to have children before getting married.
- Russian weddings tend to be larger and more lavish than weddings in some other countries. It is customary for the groom and his family to pay for the wedding, with the bride's family contributing if they can.
- In Russian culture, it is considered impolite to ask someone how much money they make, so it's best to avoid this topic of conversation.
- Finally, keep in mind that family is very important in Russian culture, and it is common for multiple generations to live together in the same household. Be prepared to meet extended family members and be respectful of their traditions and customs.
Practice Exercise
Now let's practice using the vocabulary words we've learned. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or phrase:
1. Мой друг разведен, сейчас он ___________ (odinokiy). 2. Я женат и у меня есть два ребенка, моя ___________ (zhena) прекрасная женщина. 3. Вы уже давно встречаетесь с ___________ (parnyom/ devushkoy)? 4. Наши ___________ (otnosheniya) только начались, мы встретились две недели назад. 5. Моя сестра только что вышла замуж, в июле будет ее ___________ (svad'ba).
Answers: 1. одинокий (odinokiy) 2. жена (zhena) 3. парнем/девушкой (parnym/devushkoy) 4. отношения (otnosheniya) 5. свадьба (svad'ba)
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have expanded your Russian vocabulary related to relationships and marital status! Use these words and phrases in your conversations with Russian speakers to better understand their culture and build stronger relationships. Don't forget to practice these terms with exercises to reinforce your memory of them. Keep up the good work, and let's move on to the next lesson!
Congratulations on finishing this lesson! Explore these related pages to keep learning: Health & How to Say Good Bye.
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Sources
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