The Word's Worth

Thinking Outside the Box the Russian Way 24.06.2022 9:34 ↓

How to shell a nut without a nutcracker and other acts of national ingenuity.

Russian Gaffes, Goofs, and Assorted Blunders 17.06.2022 7:26 ↓

Do Russians have a word for when you mess up, misstep, blunder or put your foot in it? Of course!

How to Fail Spectacularly in Russian 10.06.2022 8:52 ↓

How to flop, bomb, fail, go down the tubes, go belly up and fall flat on your face. In Russian, of course.

On Wars, Ducks, Knocking and Anniversaries 27.05.2022 11:27 ↓

Happy 20th anniversary to The Word's Worth, now in exile. Seems fitting.

The Russian Language of War 25.02.2022 6:19 ↓

There is nothing more tragic than the language of war.

A Russian Sleeping Beauty 11.02.2022 9:08 ↓

When the Russian media goes a bit wild after a presidential press conference, I begin investigating.

The Looming But Not Inevitable (Translation) Disaster 04.02.2022 8:20 ↓

Talking about future possibilities and inevitabilities in Russian is a mouthful.

Getting a Bright Idea in Russian 28.01.2022 8:42 ↓

Welcome to another chapter of "Weird Russian Words." This one will inspire you!

A Russian Fig is Not a Fig 21.01.2022 7:11 ↓

A short, expression-filled column about a little word that packs a big punch.

How Don't I Care? Let Me Count The Ways 14.01.2022 7:13 ↓

It turns out you can say you don't care in dozens of ways in Russian - some even in polite company.

Words of the Year 2021 31.12.2021 14:17 ↓

The Words of the Year and Decade are not cheerful in 2021. Такой год - такие слова...

Of Parasites, Felt Boots, and Garbage Words 17.12.2021 9:38 ↓

There is a newish filler word going around that driving the older generation crazy.

How to Complain About Winter in Russian 10.12.2021 8:22 ↓

Some of the less-than-magical qualities of winter in Moscow.

When Pigs Fly in Russian 03.12.2021 8:33 ↓

How to say "yes" that really means "no" in Russian. Like no way. Forget it. In your dreams, man.

Let's Talk Turkey 26.11.2021 10:05 ↓

Would you rather be called a turkey in Russian or English? Not an easy decision...

The Russian Approach to Coming Closer 29.10.2021 9:15 ↓

This week I look at two pairs of verbs of motion and get a bit distraught.

This is the Way We Roll in Russian 15.10.2021 9:20 ↓

What stocking, throwing a fit, and rolling up your sleeves have in common.

Who Is To Blame For Everything in Russian? 08.10.2021 10:11 ↓

Apologizing seems easy in Russian, but there are some tricky bits.

Neither Russian Fish nor Russian Fowl 01.10.2021 8:26 ↓

When do you use ни and when do you use не? I made up some (silly sounding) rules to help you out.

Two Minuses Make a Plus in Russian 24.09.2021 8:54 ↓

Today I focus on one of my favorite things about Russian - the double negative.

Drunk as a Skunk in Russia? Never! 03.09.2021 8:50 ↓

Why you really must learn a new vocabulary of similes in Russian.

In Russian, Too Much is Better Than Too Little 27.08.2021 9:53 ↓

Here are some serious and hilarious ways to take care and be on the very safe side in Russian.

When Your Heart Speaks in Russian 20.08.2021 11:24 ↓

What's up with verbs like подсказать, подбросить, подслушать and подскочить?

The Road to Recovery in Russian 13.08.2021 8:44 ↓

As Covid rages on but treatment improves, it's time to hone our vocabulary of getting better.

Of Snobs, Show-Offs, and Arrogant Jerks 09.08.2021 12:28 ↓

Curiosity about the origins of the word "snob" sent me down a rabbit hole - or make that rat hole.