Russian for Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Conventions Used in This Book
	What You’re Not to Read
	Foolish Assumptions
	How This Book Is Organized
		Part 1: Getting Started
		Part 2: Russian in Action
		Part 3: Russian on the Go
		Part 4: The Part of Tens
		Appendixes
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Getting Started
	Chapter 1 Russian in a Nutshell
		Discovering How Easy the Russian Alphabet Really Is
		Tackling Basic Grammar
		Easing into Common Expressions
		Counting on Numbers, Times, and Measurements
		Speaking Russian around the House
		Using Russian in Social Scenarios
			Starting conversations
			Finding your way around
			Eating out and buying food
			Going shopping
			Exploring entertainment opportunities
			Doing business and communicating
			Enjoying sports, hobbies, recreation, and more
		Getting a Handle on Travel Topics
	Chapter 2 Checking Out the Russian Alphabet
		Recognizing Russian Letters (It’s Easier Than You Think)
			Introducing the entire alphabet
			I know you!: Familiar-looking, same-sounding letters
			Playing tricks: Familiar-looking, different-sounding letters
			How bizarre: Weird-looking letters
		Sounding Like a Real Russian with Proper Pronunciation
			Understanding the one-letter- one-sound principle
			Giving voice to vowels
			Enunciating consonants correctly
			Surveying sticky sounds
	Chapter 3 Warming Up with Russian Grammar Basics
		Beginning with Nouns and Pronouns
			Defining a noun’s gender
			Making a noun plural
			Replacing nouns with pronouns
		The Case of Russian Cases: What Are They For?
			The nominative case
			The genitive case
			The accusative case
			The dative case
			The instrumental case
			The prepositional case
		Putting Nouns and Pronouns in the Correct Cases
			Checking out cases for singular nouns
			Trying your hand at changing the case of a singular noun
			Putting plurals in proper cases
			Trying your hand at putting nouns into plural cases
			Perusing the correct cases of pronouns
		Decorating Your Speech with Adjectives
			Making sure that adjectives and nouns agree
		Adding Action with Verbs
			Spotting infinitives
			Living in the present tense
			Describing action in the present tense
			Talking about the past tense
			Planning for the future tense
			Using the unusual verb “to be”
			Expressing possession with a special phrase
			Helping yourself with modal verbs
		Providing Extra Details with Adverbs
			Describing how
			Describing when and how often
		Constructing Sentences Like a Pro
			Enjoying the freedom of word order
			Creating a Russian sentence step by step
			Connecting with conjunctions
			Forming questions
	Chapter 4 Getting Started with Basic Expressions
		To Whom Am I Speaking?: Being Informal or Formal
		Comings and Goings: Saying Hello and Goodbye
			Saying hello to different people
			Greeting folks at any time of day
			Handling “How are you?”
			Taking your leave
		The Name Game: Deciphering Russian Names
		Breaking the Ice: Making Introductions
			Getting acquainted
			Introducing yourself
			Introducing your friends, family, and colleagues
		You Can Say That Again: Using Popular Expressions
			Speaking courteously
			Excusing yourself
			Arming yourself with other handy phrases
		Talking about Talking: The Verb “To Speak”
	Chapter 5 Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight
		One by One: Counting in Russian
			From zero to ten
			From 11 to 19
			From 20 to 99
			From 100 to 999
			From 1,000 to beyond
			Special rules for counting things and people
			Ordinal numbers
		The Clock’s Ticking: Telling (and Asking About) Time
			Counting the hours
			Marking the minutes
			Distinguishing day and night
			Understanding the 24-hour clock
			Asking for the time
		It’s a Date!: Checking Out the Calendar
			Naming the days of the week
			Talking about time relative to the present
			Mentioning months and seasons
			Delving into dates
			Saying years
		The Long and Short of It: Familiarizing Yourself with Metric Measurements
	Chapter 6 Speaking Russian at Home
		Taking a Tour of Your Home
			The kitchen
			The dining room
			The living room
			The bedroom
			The bathroom
			The laundry room
			The garage
		Home Is Where the Food Is
			Get cookin’: The verb “to cook”
			Eat up: The verb “to eat”
			Drink up: The verb “to drink”
			Enjoying different meals
			Describing your food and drink preferences with the verb “to like”
		Engaging in Daily Activities
			Discussing your household chores
			Talking about all the places you go
			Bantering about bedtime activities
Part 2 Russian in Action
	Chapter 7 Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk
		Let Me Tell You Something: Talking about Yourself
			Stating where you’re from
			Talking about your nationality and ethnicity
			Giving your age
			Discussing your family
			Telling what you do for a living
		I’m Sorry!: Explaining that You Don’t Understand Something
		Let’s Get Together: Giving and Receiving Contact Information
	Chapter 8 Asking for Directions
		Using “Where” and “How” Questions
			Asking where a place is
			Inquiring how to get to a place
		The Next Step: Understanding Specific Directions
			Making sense of commands in the imperative mood
			Listening for prepositions
			Keeping “right” and “left” straight
			Going here and there
			Traveling near and far
	Chapter 9 Dining Out and Going to the Market
		Eating Out in Russia
			Finding a place to eat
			Making reservations on the phone
			Ordering a meal
			Having handy phrases for the wait staff
			Receiving and paying the bill
		Going Out for Groceries
			Meats and fish
			Fruits and vegetables
			Dairy products and eggs
			Baked goods
			A Russian tradition: Hot cereal
			Beverages
	Chapter 10 Shopping Made Easy
		Shopping with Confidence: The Verb “To Buy”
		So Many Stores, So Little Time: The Shopping Scene in Russia
			Looking at different types of stores and merchandise
			Finding out when a store is open
			Navigating a department store
		You Are What You Wear: Shopping for Clothes
			Seeking specific items of clothing and accessories
			Describing items in color
			Finding the right size
			Trying on clothing
		This or That? Deciding What You Want
			Using demonstrative pronouns
			Comparing two items
			Talking about what you like most (or least)
		You Gotta Pay to Play: Buying Items
			How much does it cost?
			I’ll take it! How do I pay?
	Chapter 11 Going Out on the Town
		Together Wherever We Go: Making Plans to Go Out
		On the Big Screen: Going to the Movies
			Picking a particular type of movie
			Buying tickets
			Choosing a place to sit and watch
		It’s Classic: Taking in the Russian Ballet and Theater
		Culture Club: Visiting a Museum
		How Was It?: Talking about Entertainment
	Chapter 12 Taking Care of Business and Telecommunications
		Looking Around Your Office
			Indispensable office supplies
			Rooms around the office
			Simple office etiquette
		Ringing Up Telephone Basics
			Brushing up on phone vocabulary
			Distinguishing different types of phones
			Knowing different kinds of phone calls
		Dialing the Number and Making the Call
		Arming Yourself with Basic Telephone Etiquette
			Saving time by not introducing yourself
			Asking for the person you want to speak to
			Anticipating different responses
			Leaving a message with a person
			Talking to an answering machine
		Using a Computer
			Familiarizing yourself with computer terms
			Sending email
		Sending Correspondence
	Chapter 13 Recreation and the Great Outdoors
		Shootin’ the Breeze about Recreational Plans
			What did you do last night?
			What are you doing this weekend?
			What do you like to do?
		Surveying the World of Sports
			Listing a few popular sports
			Using the verb “to play”
			Talking about other athletic activities
		Reading All about It
			Talking about what you’re reading
			Discussing genres
		Sounding Off about Music
			Taking note of a few popular instruments
			Asking about instruments that others play
			Wondering what kinds of music others like
		Being Crafty
		Rejoicing in the Lap of Nature
Part 3 Russian on the Go
	Chapter 14 Planning a Trip
		Where Do You Want to Go?: Picking a Place for Your Trip
			Checking out continents and countries
			Visiting Russia
		How Do We Get There?: Booking a Trip
		Don’t Leave Home without Them: Dealing with Passports and Visas
		Taking It with You: Packing Tips
	Chapter 15 Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land
		Paying Attention to Currency
			Rubles and kopecks
			Dollars, euros, and other international currencies
		Changing Money
		Using Banks
			Opening an account at the bank of your choice
			Making deposits and withdrawals
			Heading to the ATM
		Spending Money
			Using cash
			Paying with credit cards
	Chapter 16 Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More
		Understanding Verbs of Motion
			Going by foot or vehicle habitually
			Going by foot or vehicle at the present time
			Explaining where you’re going
		Navigating the Airport
			Using the verb “to fly”
			Checking in and boarding your flight
			Handling customs and passport control
		Conquering Public Transportation
			Taking a taxi
			Using minivans
			Catching buses, trolley buses, and trams
			Hopping on the subway
		Embarking on a Railway Adventure
			Making sense of a train schedule
			Surveying types of trains and cars
			Buying tickets
			Stocking up on essentials for your ride
			Boarding the train and enjoying your trip
	Chapter 17 Finding a Place to Stay
		Finding a Hotel That’s Right for You
			Types of hotels
			Making a reservation
		Checking In
			Enduring the registration process
			Taking a tour of your room
			Familiarizing yourself with the facilities
			Meeting the staff
		Resolving Service Problems
			Reporting a broken item
			Requesting missing items
			Asking to change rooms
		Checking Out and Paying Your Bill
	Chapter 18 Handling Emergencies
		Finding Help in Case of Accidents and Other Emergencies
			Hollering for help
			Making an emergency phone call
			Reporting a problem
			Requesting English-speaking help
		Receiving Medical Care
			Knowing parts of the body
			Describing your symptoms
			Understanding questions a doctor asks
			Communicating allergies or special conditions
			Seeing a specialist
			Undergoing an examination and getting a diagnosis
			Visiting a pharmacy
		Calling the Police When You’re the Victim of a Crime
			Talking to the police
			Answering questions from the police
Part 4 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 19 Ten Ways to Pick Up Russian Quickly
		Check Out Russian TV, Movies, and Music
		Listen to Russian Radio Programs
		Read Russian Publications
		Surf the Internet
		Visit a Russian Restaurant
		Find a Russian Pen Pal
		Teach English to a Russian Immigrant
		Visit a Jewish Community Center
		Travel to Russia
		Date or Marry a Russian
	Chapter 20 Ten Things Never to Say in Russian
		Use the Right Form of “You”
		Don’t Rush to Say “Hi!”
		Don’t Switch to First Names Prematurely
		Use “How Are You?” with Caution
		Respond to “How Are You?” in a Culturally Appropriate Manner
		Choose the Right Form of “Happy”
		Watch Out When You Talk about Studying
		Accent a Certain Verb Carefully
		Know the Difference between a Bathroom and a Restroom
		Don’t Toast with the Wrong Phrase
	Chapter 21 Ten Favorite Russian Expressions
		Showing Strong Feelings
		Using “Give” in Various Situations
		Starting a Story
		Taking “Listen!” to the Next Level
		Describing Amazement about Food
		Insisting that the Good Times Continue
		Noting the Benefit of Silence
		Saying that Two Heads Are Better Than One
		Expressing that a Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
		Understanding the Importance of Old Friends
	Chapter 22 Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Russian
		Showing Off Your Excellent Manners
		Paying a Compliment
		Inviting Someone Over for Tea
		Saying “Help Yourself”
		Wishing Someone “Bon Appétit!”
		Embracing the Tradition of Sitting Down Before Leaving
		Offering Hospitality
		Wishing Good Luck
		Signing Off with Kisses
		Offering Unusual Congratulations
Appendix A
 Russian-English Mini-Dictionary
Appendix B Verb Tables
Appendix C
Answer Keys
Index
EULA