The Russian language is great and powerful, it has many words and phrases that, upon hearing, make you want to take a Russian language textbook and give it to the speaker.
Get comfortable and have a drink, because the topic of our article – the top 10 most annoying words and expressions – can be more annoying than the sound of iron on glass.
This selection is based on user opinions from the most popular entertainment forums.
10. I heard you
What is this phrase supposed to mean? That one of the interlocutors has no hearing problem? Or, rather, that they heard what was said and immediately dismissed it.
In fact, the Russian phrase "I heard you" is a loan translation of the English "Got it!" ("Got it!"). In English, this expression means that the speaker has listened to and understood the speaker, but will draw their own conclusions from what was said.
Russian is a more emotional language than English, so instead of the meaningless "I heard you," it's better to use a different expression that shows your engagement in the conversation. For example, "I completely agree with you" or "I understand you so well.".
9. Muzhik/baba meaning "man/woman"«
In Rus', "muzhik" (muzhik) was traditionally the name for peasants, but today the word can refer to both a man (including a husband or lover) and a rude, unpleasant person. A "baba" (babba) is a common term for a woman.
In the 18th century, the terms "muzhik" and "baba" even began to be used in property inventories and population censuses. This was shorter than using the terms "male souls" or "female souls.".
After the 1917 Revolution, it became fashionable to be proud of one's common, "peasant" origins. Peasants belonging to the working-class and peasant classes were contrasted with the "drones" of the bourgeoisie, and good career prospects opened up for them. It was precisely from the early 20th century that idioms like "real peasant" originated.
But this isn't the early 20th century. And if you don't want to offend your interlocutor, it's best to avoid using these colloquial terms; they've long since been replaced by the words "man" and "woman." Or "sir" and "miss," if you're really feeling old-fashioned.
8. Cough up the question
When you use this expression, you conjure up an unpleasant image of someone coughing right on you, right? And in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, it sounds downright mocking.
This expression's roots go back to the turbulent 1990s, when the semi-criminal milieu of "new Russian" businessmen developed its own jargon, which briefly migrated to the RuNet. Fortunately, "coughing the question" is becoming a thing of the past and is rarely used in conversation.
7. Little man
This word immediately conveys a slightly dismissive attitude toward the interlocutor. After all, they don't even consider him a full-sized person.
Sometimes a diminutive suffix (denyuzhka, yummy, chelovechek) is used to emphasize one's affectionate, good-natured attitude toward the object or subject under discussion.
If you're at home and surrounded by your closest friends, experimenting with the diminutive suffix is perfectly fine. But at work, or even in personal conversations with friends, it's best to play it safe. You never know how someone might react to your affectionate address.
6. To yell means to laugh.«
The use of the word "orat'" (to yell) to mean "to laugh" predates the RuNet. In the 1990s, the expression "poidem poorem" (let's go and have a good time) was common in Omsk.
Of course, when laughing, you can scream loudly from an excess of emotion, but for most interlocutors, the word "yelling" is associated with fear, pain, or another unpleasant sensation, but not with fun at all.
5. Extreme in the meaning of "last"«
This is one of the most irritating words in the Russian language when used inappropriately. Initially, it was used by people whose professions involved high health risks—pilots, climbers, and others. For them, the last time could truly be the last.
But if you are an office worker, or a representative of another completely safe profession, then what do you have to fear «in the worst case»?
Some philologists also explain the superstitious fear of the word «last» in everyday life by the fact that this adjective has a negative connotation, meaning «the worst in a row.».
But all experts in the Russian language agree that replacing the word «last» with the word «extreme» is a grave mistake that a well-mannered person should not make.
4. Very beautiful
This annoying phrase is an example of the incorrect use of the superlative adjective. Saying "very beautiful" is like saying "butter butter.".
3. Onion in the meaning of "image"«
The word "look," which came into the Russian language from English, immediately conjures up images of someone wearing a giant onion instead of clothing. Or someone who's picked up a bow and is now, for some reason, playing Robin Hood.
If your conversation isn't limited to a couple of seconds, during which you need to blurt out "you have a fashionable look," then don't be lazy in using words more familiar to the Russian ear - "outfit," "image.".
2. Tasty in the meaning of "good, interesting"«
Delicious music, delicious movies, and even a delicious book are unlikely to become an appetizing snack on your table.
However, using the word "delicious" to describe non-food items isn't a linguistic error; it's all a matter of perception. Many people find this expression irritating, but sensory learners actually enjoy it. After all, they love to touch, feel, and taste, and they compare everything to their bodily experience.
1. Luxury
Dear readers, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "luxury"? For some reason, I picture a house with an abundance of gaudy molding, a golden toilet, or the latest iPhone on credit.
Literally translated from English, luxury means wealth, opulence, and splendor. But in Russia, luxury isn't just wealth, it's ostentatious wealth. This word is jarring in its foreignness, and is often used inappropriately in colloquial speech, merely to brag to others.