Ch 1 · Lesson 4Russian · Chapter 1 · Lesson 4 · Grammar primer
Меня зовут: your name, and a first conversation
Russian says me they call: А́нна. Then put every phrase so far together in one short conversation.
The short version
Russian says me they call, not my name is
Бори́с. . (Menya zovut Boris. Ochen priyatno.)
Why?Hide
А́нна is literally me they-call Anna, and it is the everyday way to give your name. To ask, change for (polite) or (a friend): ? Answer with , nice to meet you.
Your name: меня зовут
Russian does not say my name is. It says me they call: А́нна (menya zovut Anna), literally me they-call Anna.
| Russian | English |
|---|---|
? | What is your name? (polite) |
? | What is your name? (to a friend) |
Бори́с. | My name is Boris. |
. | Nice to meet you. |
In formal settings Russians use the first name and the patronymic, a middle name made from the father's name. Teachers and older colleagues are addressed this way, with , and it is respectful rather than stiff:
Ири́на Петро́вна- Irina, daughter of Pyotr, Бори́с Ива́нович!- Hello, Boris Ivanovich! (Boris, son of Ivan)
A first conversation, start to finish
| Who | Russian | English |
|---|---|---|
| Anna | ! | Hello! |
| Boris | ! ? | Hello! What is your name? |
| Anna | А́нна. ? | My name is Anna. And yours? |
| Boris | Бори́с. . | My name is Boris. Nice to meet you. |
| Anna | . | Nice to meet you. |
| Boris | ! ! | Thank you! Goodbye! |
| Anna | ! | Goodbye! |
Every line is a fixed phrase. You need no grammar to say it, only the right choice of register.
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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8-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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Lesson 4 of 43 in this chapter