Hello Junkies,
This is for people who are interested in Russian. If you started to learn Russian, you probably want to know some funny Russian phrases and sayings. Actually, you will not be able to understand the what they mean through translation. So, I will clarify them.
So, take this lesson:
- Review & read out loud
- Print out to keep for yourself
Lesson: 10 Funny Russian Phrases You Should Know
…Oh, if you want to learn Russian with a complete Russian learning program — 1000+ audio/video lessons by real teachers – click here to visit RussianPod101 and try them for yourself.
Now, let’s jump into some fun phrases.
1. Да нет, наверное – Yes no, probably.
◈ Да нет, наверное.
◈ Transliteration: Da net, navernoye.
This is an incomprehensible phrase for any foreigner and this is not surprising. Imagine you hear “Yes, no, probably” in English; how would you react? This phrase means “rather no.”
At the beginning of any sentence, the word, “Да,” is used only for emotional underlining of the author’s mood. If you ask some Russian a question, and he answers “Да нет, наверное”, it means “I’m not sure, but rather no than yes”.
- Note: This is very similar to how Australians (Straya!) and New Zealanders (Ey!) say “Yeah, no” or “yeah, nahhh.”
2. Руки не доходят посмотреть – Hands do not reach to look
◈ Руки не доходят посмотреть
◈ Ruki ne dohodyat posmotret’
This phrase also should not be taken literally. “Руки не доходят” literally means “Hands do not reach,” it REALLY means you do not have time to do something. After these 3 words, you can say any verb which will designate the action that you can’t do. In our case “Руки не доходят посмотреть” means that author doesn’t have time to take a look at something.
- For example, I’ve got a project to do but I have no time to take a look at this and finish it, I can say “Руки не доходят посмотреть at this project.”
3. Начистить репу какому-то перцу/хрену – To peel a turnip to some pepper (horseradish)
◈ Начистить репу какому-то перцу/хрену
◈ Nachistit’ repu kakomu-to pertsu(hrenu)
What does this mean!? First, “Начистить репу” literally means to “To peel a turnip” but the meaning here is “to beat someone” or “punch someone in the face.” In Russian “репа” means turnip but in informal use, it can also mean “face.” The second part, “какому-то перцу/хрену,” literally means “some vegetables pepper or horseradish.” But the true meaning here is this: “Перец” and “хрен” can mean “guys” in informal speech.Y oung people very often call their friends in this way.
So, if someone in Russia is going to “Начистить репу какому-то перцу/хрену” it means that this person is going to punch someone in the face. Be careful!
4. Вешать лапшу на уши – Hang noodles on the ears
◈ Вешать лапшу на уши
◈ Veshat’ lapshu na ushi
“Вешать лапшу на уши” we can’t translate as “Hang noodles on the ears.” Nobody hangs noodles on their ears, of course. There is only one meaning of this phrase – “Lie”. So of someone if “Вешает лапшу на уши” it means he’s lying like a rug.
5. Pulls a cat’s tail
◈ тянуть кота за хвост
◈ tyanut’ kota za hvost
This phrase means to procrastinate. It’s also one of my favorite funny Russian phrases because who doesn’t like to procrastinate!?
6. Как селедка в бочке – Like herring in the barrel
◈ Как селедка в бочке
◈ Kak seledka v bochke
If you are in a crowded place in Russia, or a very crowded train, you can say you feel “Как селедка в бочке” – “like herring in the barrel”. This phrase is funny, but at least it has some logic.
- The English version of this is “like sardines in a can.”
7. наломать дров – Mangle the firewood
◈ наломать дров
◈ nalomat’ drov
“Наломать дров” – means mess up or screw up. So, if your Russian friend “наломал дров” it means he had a bit too much to drink and did something regrettable!
8. заморить червячка – Kill the worm
◈ заморить червячка
◈ zamorit’ chervyachka
If you want to have a snack, it’s similar to “заморить червячка” in Russia. Basically, this phrase means to satisfy hunger and eat something.
9. хлопать ушами – To clap ears
◈ хлопать ушами
◈ hlopat’ ushami
«хлопать ушами» means to be distracted and inattentive. If someone “хлопает ушами”, he is not paying attention to you.
10. псу под хвост – Under a dog’s tail
◈ псу под хвост
◈ psu pod hvost
This last phrase in our list of funny Russian phrases means… “something was in vain.” In other words, whatever was done went to waste, had no effect or was pointless. It’s like whatever comes form “under a dogs tail.”
Conclusion – Funny Russian phrases
Nice! Now you know some fun Russian phrases. These are used in daily life and are NOT dry, textbook phrases. So, if you use them, you’ll definitely impress native speakers.
Of course, 10 is not the end. There are a lot more funny Russian phrases in the Russian language. Want to learn more? Just leave a comment! I read them all.
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Thwnks !
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