Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

How to use fillers to make your Russian more colloquial.

Some reasons to consider studying Russian outside Moscow and St. Petersburg, with a listing of schools and their programs in provincial cities.

The Russian government is obsessed with restoring the former greatness of the Soviet Union. It is well reflected in the language.

A few insights to help you make it through Russian 101, from someone who's got a little experience.

These days, unfortunately, we all need to become familiar with the terminology for extreme weather and climate change, if only to know when we should dash into the basement or pack up and run.

In this issue's language insert, we look at French words that have made their way into Russian. (Link to article downloads PDF of the page.)

The various ways Russians euphemize the aging denizen of the Kremlin.

The Russian language codifies gender inequality through, among other things, misogynistic proverbs, and far from neutral job titles. What is to be done?

Brush up on your bird names in Russian here.