Language Tips!

The chances are if you weren't born in the Motherland you'll never learn to read Nabokov in his native tongue (well, he wrote his best works in English anyhow!), but that's no excuse for not getting to grips with some of the Ruski basics. You'll certainly find plenty of use for them, as English is nowhere near as widely spoken as in the rest of Europe and you can't take anything for granted - even (or should we say 'especially') in train stations and places where you most need a good line of communication. Apart from making navigation easier, a little bit of Russian can also help break the ice with the locals and dispel the notion that you are just another ignorant Westerner...

A few phrases translated for your benefit...

Priviet
Hello

Spasiba
Thank you

Vy gavarite pa angliyski?
Do you speak English?

Skol'ka stoit?
How much is it?

Ya vegeterianets
I am a vegetarian

Priyatnavo apetita!
Bon appetit!

Gde tualet?
Where is the toilet?

Skolko vam let?
How old are you?

Oo tebya est paryen?
Do you have a boyfriend?