What were the first few things you learned to say in Russian, and why?

[slim 1,533]

I thought you looked oriental

One of the jokes over there was "You know you've been in Korea too long when you think you can blend in with the crowd."

[Brad and Vika 129]

I thought you looked oriental

One of the jokes over there was "You know you've been in Korea too long when you think you can blend in with the crowd."

The one I heard was "Just because you smell like kimchee too, doesn't make you a native...it may indicate that you have GONE native.."

Charles! What do you think?

[slim 1,533]

I almost envy Charles! as he's been to the ROK recently. (Well, at least more recently than I!)

[Brad and Vika 129]

I guess Charles! decided to take no notice of this question

[slim 1,533]

I guess Charles! decided to take no notice of this question

Now that's a surprise because I was under the impression that Charles! read every single post on VJ. 100% coverage. He's everywhere at all times. Charles! is like the Chuck Norris of VJ. He doesn't read the posts, the posts are so scared of him that they auto reply.

[Brad and Vika 129]

C'mon Charles! Talk to us about ROK

[childress_london 3]

Again - not something that comes up casually. For you non-Russian speakers, this is f**ck your mother, a fairly common expletive - not directed at any one's mother typically I am thinking we should start translating the cyrillic for those of us (like me) who are still alarnin'

Okay, my first actual word in Russian was a long time ago in the Navy, when my job was to keep tabs on the Soviet Navy. It was цель, "target."

Hey were you a CTI? I was a RuLing in the Navy too.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

еби тбою мать! It's a great, if painful, way to meet new people.

not cool

[Nasturtium 500]

I almost envy Charles! as he's been to the ROK recently. (Well, at least more recently than I!)

Charles was supposed to take me, Dorothy, Olivia and S and S (all other MENA chicks) to Korea and then stopping off at Japan. We hired ourselves as his assistants and he totally ditched us. We had plans; plans that involved kimono shopping, stir fries, tofu, guns, languages, espionage, and martial arts.

Charles, we have not forgotten.

Edited April 9, 2009 by julianna

[slim 1,533]

Now that would've been a cool trip!

[Nasturtium 500]

Now that would've been a cool trip!

I know! The nerve to just not take along self-invited people.

[Brad and Vika 129]

еби тбою мать! It's a great, if painful, way to meet new people.

not cool

It always gets me a laugh, but I try not to use the phrase to introduce myself.

Edited to say mox should use в instead of б in that sentence.

Edited April 9, 2009 by Brad and Vika

[Cixelsyd 1]

I know I'm a little late to add to this; I can't add to the direction the topic is going now.

But, the first thing I learned to say in Russian was "Peeva" (Beer).

It was a pathetic attempt to get to talk to my now fiance on the first or second day I met her (So I guess it worked). I told her it would be good if I could learn Russian because it would look nice at my job (half true... ok, mostly not true).

She asked what I would like to learn to say. I panicked and being the ever smooth and romantic person I am, I chose "Beer".

Although I must admit it's a good word to know if you ever go to Russia.

[Brad and Vika 129]

It always gets me a laugh, but I try not to use the phrase to introduce myself.

It's great for meeting parents!

Edited to say mox should use в instead of б in that sentence.

Hmmm...well ебать is "to ####," so I'm pretty sure it's "еби," and thought I'd heard it used that way. There's a really high likelihood I'm wrong.

Unless you mean the "б" in "тбою." I'm even less sure about this one, but I used "тбою" because (I think) the phrase is in instrumental case. I.e., "f*** with your mother."

In any case (narf!) this is an awesome discussion!

OK, I lack a cyrillic keyboard here. Yes I meant tvoioe, as in your. Sorry about the confusion - but the phrase seems to come up here regularly

[slim 1,533]

Hmmm...well ебать is "to ####," so I'm pretty sure it's "еби," and thought I'd heard it used that way. There's a really high likelihood I'm wrong.

Unless you mean the "б" in "тбою." I'm even less sure about this one, but I used "тбою" because (I think) the phrase is in instrumental case. I.e., "f*** with your mother."

In any case (narf!) this is an awesome discussion!

What's so great about Russian cursing is "close enough" counts!

But, the first thing I learned to say in Russian was "Peeva" (Beer).

Very good choice! Obviously it worked for you, and arguably, it is one of the most important words to know in any foreign language!