Russian For Dummies

About the Authors
Authors’ Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Conventions Used in This Book
	What You’re Not to Read
	Foolish Assumptions
	How This Book Is Organized
	Icons Used in This Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part I: Getting Started
	Chapter 1: Russian in a Nutshell
		Discovering How Easy the Russian Alphabet Really Is
		Tackling Basic Grammar
		Easing into Common Expressions
		Counting on Numbers, Times, and Measurements
		Speaking Russian around the House
		Using Russian in Social Scenarios
		Getting a Handle on Travel Topics
	Chapter 2: Checking Out the Russian Alphabet
		Recognizing Russian Letters (It’s Easier Than You Think)
		Sounding Like a Real Russian with Proper Pronunciation
	Chapter 3: Warming Up with Russian Grammar Basics
		Beginning with Nouns and Pronouns
		The Case of Russian Cases: What Are They For?
		Putting Nouns and Pronouns in the Correct Cases
		Decorating Your Speech with Adjectives
		Adding Action with Verbs
		Providing Extra Details with Adverbs
		Constructing Sentences Like a Pro
	Chapter 4: Getting Started with Basic Expressions
		To Whom Am I Speaking? Being Informal or Formal
		Comings and Goings: Saying Hello and Goodbye
		The Name Game: Deciphering Russian Names
		Breaking the Ice: Making Introductions
		You Can Say That Again: Using Popular Expressions
		Talking about Talking: The Verb “To Speak”
	Chapter 5: Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight
		One by One: Counting in Russian
		The Clock’s Ticking: Telling (And Asking About) Time
		It’s a Date! Checking Out the Calendar
		The Long and Short of It: Familiarizing Yourself with Metric Measurements
	Chapter 6: Speaking Russian at Home
		Taking a Tour of Your Home
		Home Is Where the Food Is
		Engaging in Daily Activities
Part II: Russian in Action
	Chapter 7: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk
		Let Me Tell You Something: Talking about Yourself
		I’m Sorry! Explaining that You Don’t Understand Something
		Let’s Get Together: Giving and Receiving Contact Information
	Chapter 8: Asking for Directions
		Using “Where” and “How” Questions
		The Next Step: Understanding Specific Directions
	Chapter 9: Dining Out and Going to the Market
		Eating Out in Russia
		Going Out for Groceries
	Chapter 10: Shopping Made Easy
		Shopping with Confidence: The Verb “To Buy”
		So Many Stores, So Little Time: The Shopping Scene in Russia
		You Are What You Wear: Shopping for Clothes
		This or That? Deciding What You Want
		You Gotta Pay to Play: Buying Items
	Chapter 11: Going Out on the Town
		Together Wherever We Go: Making Plans to Go Out
		On the Big Screen: Going to the Movies
		It’s Classic: Taking in the Russian Ballet and Theater
		Culture Club: Visiting a Museum
		How Was It? Talking about Entertainment
	Chapter 12: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunications
		Looking Around Your Office
		Ringing Up Telephone Basics
		Dialing the Number and Making the Call
		Arming Yourself with Basic Telephone Etiquette
		Using a Computer
		Sending Correspondence
	Chapter 13: Recreation and the Great Outdoors
		Shootin’ the Breeze about Recreational Plans
		Surveying the World of Sports
		Reading All about It
		Sounding Off about Music
		Being Crafty
		Rejoicing in the Lap of Nature
Part III: Russian on the Go
	Chapter 14: Planning a Trip
		Where Do You Want to Go? Picking a Place for Your Trip
		How Do We Get There? Booking a Trip
		Don’t Leave Home without Them: Dealing with Passports and Visas
		Taking It with You: Packing Tips
	Chapter 15: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land
		Paying Attention to Currency
		Changing Money
		Using Banks
		Spending Money
	Chapter 16: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More
		Understanding Verbs of Motion
		Navigating the Airport
		Conquering Public Transportation
		Embarking on a Railway Adventure
	Chapter 17: Finding a Place to Stay
		Finding a Hotel that’s Right for You
		Checking In
		Resolving Service Problems Successfully
		Checking Out and Paying Your Bill
	Chapter 18: Handling Emergencies
		Finding Help in Case of Accidents and Other Emergencies
		Receiving Medical Care
		Calling the Police When You’re the Victim of a Crime
Part IV: The Part of Tens
	Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Pick Up Russian Quickly
		Check Out Russian TV, Movies, and Music
		Listen to Russian Radio Programs
		Read Russian Publications
		Surf the Internet
		Visit a Russian Restaurant
		Find a Russian Pen Pal
		Teach English to a Russian Immigrant
		Visit a Jewish Community Center
		Travel to Russia
		Marry a Russian!
	Chapter 20: Ten Things Never to Say in Russian
		Use the Right Form of “You”
		Don’t Rush to Say “Hi!”
		Don’t Switch to First Names Prematurely
		Use “How Are You?” with Caution
		Respond to “How Are You?” in a Culturally Appropriate Manner
		Choose the Right Form of “Happy”
		Watch Out When You Talk about Studying
		Accent a Certain Verb Carefully
		Know the Difference between a Bathroom and a Restroom
		Don’t Toast with the Wrong Phrase
	Chapter 21: Ten Favorite Russian Expressions
		Showing Strong Feelings
		Using “Give” in Various Situations
		Starting a Story
		Taking “Listen!” to the Next Level
		Describing Amazement about Food
		Insisting that the Good Times Continue
		Noting the Benefit of Silence
		Saying that Two Heads Are Better Than One
		Expressing that a Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
		Understanding the Importance of Old Friends
	Chapter 22: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Russian
		Showing Off Your Excellent Manners
		Paying a Compliment
		Inviting Someone Over for Tea
		Saying “Help Yourself”
		Wishing “Bon Appétit!”
		Embracing the Tradition of Sitting Down Before Leaving
		Offering Hospitality
		Wishing Good Luck
		Signing Off with Kisses
		Offering Unusual Congratulations
Part V: Appendixes
	Appendix A: Mini Dictionary
	Appendix B: Verb Tables
		Regular Russian Verbs
		Irregular Russian Verbs
	Appendix C: On the CD
		Track Listing
		Customer Care
	Appendix D: Answer Keys
Index