Course for beginnersRussian words

*Welcome!* In this course, we’ll take your Russian skills to the next level, helping you understand and communicate with confidence in real-life situations. Let’s begin with a few key phrases to get you started.

*Consonance of adjectives and nouns in the Russian language* In Russian, adjectives must *match the gender of the noun they describe.* This means that an adjective will have a different ending depending on whether the noun is in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender. Examples: - "большой дом" = big house (masculine gender) - "большая машина" = big car (feminine) - "большое окно" = big window (neuter) Common endings: - Masculine gender: *-oy*, *-yi* - Feminine: *-aya* - * neuter*

*Around the house* Let's familiarise ourselves with some common rooms and items in a typical home. These are everyday nouns such as "кухня", "дверь" and "стол". Remember: every Russian noun has a gender, which affects how you describe or use it later on. Try to memorise the gender as you study each noun. This will help when you study grammar in later lessons.

*Asking Questions: 'Who' and 'What'* Let’s start learning Russian question words: - "кто" = who - "что" = what Examples: - "Кто там?" — Who is there? - "Что это?" — What is this? Word order in Russian is flexible, so intonation and question words are important to indicate a question.

*Saying Where You Live* Use the verb "жить" (to live) with the preposition "в" (in) to talk about where someone lives. Examples: "Я живу в Москве." - I live in Moscow. "Мы живём в деревне." - We live in a village. The preposition *в* is followed by a noun in the prepositional case (you’ll learn this more later, but for now just remember the pattern).

*Talking about Family* In the previous course, we covered the main family members. (If you'd like to review the lower-level course, you can find it in the library.) Now, let's explore more about this topic and expand your vocabulary. All these nouns have a natural gender. It helps to remember them as masculine or feminine from the start.

*More Question Words: 'Where' and 'When'* Now let’s learn: "где" = where (used for places) "когда" = when (used for time) Examples: "Где мой телефон?" - Where is my phone? "Когда ты придёшь?" - When will you come? Russian drops 'is' in the present tense, so "Где мой телефон?" literally means *'Where my phone?'*

*Basic Verbs in Present Tense* Russian verbs change their endings depending on the subject (I, you, he/she, etc.). In this block, we focus on "я" (I) forms of some useful verbs: "делать" - to do → "я делаю" - I do "работать" - to work → "я работаю" - I work "учиться" - to study → "я учусь" - I study This change of verb endings is called *conjugation*. We will learn it step by step.

*Determination of time* To find out the time in Russian, use: "Сколько времени?" - What time is it? "час / часа / часов" - different forms of the word 'hour' depending on the number. Examples: "один час" - hour "два / три / четыре часа" - 2-4 hours "пять часов" - 5 hours or more Use "в" before time to say *at* "В два часа." - *Two hours.*

*Talking about food* This unit covers basic vocabulary about food. Most of them are *nouns*. Try to match each word with its gender: "хлеб" (bread) is masculine "молоко" (milk) is neuter "вода" (water) is feminine These words will be useful when you are shopping or ordering food in a restaurant.

*Colours and descriptions* Adjectives like colours must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Examples: "красный мяч" - (red ball - masculine) "зелёная книга" - (green book - feminine) "белое молоко" (white milk - neuter) In this unit we will focus mainly on masculine forms and short descriptive sentences.

*Talking About Hobbies* This section introduces verbs related to hobbies and free time, like *to read, to dance, to sing.* You will see the verb form for *я* (I): "Я читаю." - I read. "Я танцую." - I dance. Later, you’ll learn to conjugate these for other persons too.

*Expressing likes and dislikes* Use "нравится" to say you like something: "Мне нравится фильм" - I like the film. "Тебе нравится музыка?" - Do you like the music? Add "не" to express negation: "Мне не нравится." - I don't like it. You will also see how this changes depending on the person: "мне" (me), "тебе" (you), "ему" (him), etc.

*At the Market* Shopping in Russian? Learn these useful words: "Сколько стоит?" - 'How much is it?' This is to express a singular. "Сколько стоят...?" - 'How much are they...?' This is to express the plural. "Я хочу купить…" - I want to buy… Russian often skips 'is/are' in simple questions. So "Сколько стоит яблоко?" literally means 'How much costs apple?'

*Talking About the Weather* Learn how to describe the weather. Russian uses short phrases like: "Идёт дождь." - 'It’s raining.' It literally means: 'The rain is going.' "Сегодня холодно." - 'It’s cold today.' The verbs "идёт" (goes/is falling) and impersonal expressions (like "жарко" - hot) are common in weather talk.

*Expressing Needs and Requests* To say what you need in Russian, use “мне нужно” (I need). Literally, it means *to me, it is necessary.* The word changes based on the gender of what you need: "нужно" (neuter): "Мне нужно такси." "нужна" (feminine): "Мне нужна помощь."

*Expressing Needs and Requests part 2* You can also make polite requests using "можно" (may I): "Можно воды, пожалуйста?" - Can I have some water, please? Use the noun in the accusative case or add a verb in infinitive form: "Можно задать вопрос?" - May I ask a question? To sound more formal or polite, say "Mне бы хотелось…" — I would like... "Мне бы хотелось кофе." And don’t forget пожалуйста - it means “please” and makes everything more polite.

*Description of people* Let's learn words to describe people: their appearance, character and age. Always remember the gender, as it varies in Russian.

*Saying Goodbye* Here are different ways to end conversations politely.