Lesson 3. Eight easy Russian words that you may learn in one minute

Hello guys! Here we are going to talk about 8 easy Russian words that you can learn in no time. It is possible because these words consist of one letter only and are very easy to remember. Other good news is that they are very commonly used and you will hear and recognize them in every conversation.

Ok, let’s have a look at these easy Russian words.

In Lesson 1 of Learn to Read Russian video course we were studying the Russian alphabet. There are 33 letters in the Russian alphabet and 8 of them are… separate words! Here they are and their meanings:

When you finish reading this article, you will learn 8 easy Russian words

1) А is a Russian conjunction meaning ‘but’. For example: Я звоню, а он не берет трубку. — I am calling him, but he is not answering. Another example: Едь не на машине, а на метро! – Go there not by car, but by subway (I know it doesn’t sound like good English, but this is the translation that covers the meaning).

2) В is a Russian preposition meaning ‘to’ or ‘into’. Here are two examples for you. Я собираюсь в магазин. – I am going to the shop. Положи деньги в карман. – Put your money into the pocket. Something like this.

3) И is a preposition again, which means ‘with’ or ‘and’. For example: Лайкни и подпишись на Speak Russian Like Russians! – Like and subscribe to Speak Russian Like Russians! Let’s have a look at another example. И позвони мне потом! – And give me a call later!

4) К is a Russian preposition that has s lot of meanings. But mostly it is used as ‘to’ or ‘towards’ meaning directions and addressing somebody. For example: Такси подъехало к дому. – The taxi drove up to the house. Он к тебе приходил? – Did he come to you (your place)? Я пришел к выводу, что… — I have come to the conclusion that…

The preposition К can also be translated as ‘by’ meaning time. For example: К вечеру я устаю. – I get tired by the evening.

5) О is a Russian preposition ‘about’. That’s the easiest among easy Russian words: О чем ты говоришь? – What are you talking about? «Игра престолов» — сериал о драконах. — Game of Thrones is a show about dragons. Which is not true, but who cares.

6) С is a preposition ‘with’ or ‘and’ and is similar to the preposition К. These two easy Russian words in many cases can substitute each other. But let’s have a look at the examples when the preposition С cannot be substituted. Он пойдет с тобой? – Will he go with you? Я буду кофе с молоком. – I want coffee with milk.

7) У is a preposition as well, which means ‘by’ ‘at’ ‘with’. Among these easy Russian words that we are studying today this one is the most difficult. У дверей кто-то стоит. – Somebody is standing at the door. Он все еще живет у родителей. – He still lives with his parents.

But there is another way to use the Russian preposition У. When we put У in front of a subject/object it automatically gets the meaning that subject/object has something. Ok, never mind about the rule, examples will help you out. У меня нет денег. – I don’t have money. У моей сестры сегодня юбилей. – My sister has an anniversary today. У холодильника сломалась ручка. – The fridge has a broken handle. (English: The fridge handle is broken).

The last but not the least. The Russian letter Я is a pronoun meaning I, I am.

8) Я should be the first among easy Russian word, but stands the last in the alphabet. This is a pronoun and it means I or I am. That’s simple enough. Я так не могу. – I can’t do it this way. Я в шоке. – I am shocked. Я не идиот. – I am not an idiot.

Ok, I hope this one helps! Feel free to ask me any questions in the comment section and Subscribe to Speak Russian Like Russians! Take care!