CHAPTER 19

5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
364
CHAPTER NINETEEN - EBRTHAHATAR IHABA
PERSONAL INFORMATION - HHHHAR HH+OPMAHHR
In Chapter Nineteen you will learn how to do the following:
1. to talk about ages, weights and heights
2. to talk about people`s appearance
3. to talk about personality types
You will learn the following points of grammar:
1. expressions of approximation
2. the short forms of adjectives
3. nouns in apposition
4. the particle un
Activity One - Hepnoe sa(anne
Writing Look at the following pictures and write down the approximate age of the
people illustrated. Use the model below as a guide.
Oiie e1 nana1i (reversed word order)
Olga is about twenty.
Oiie oxoo nana1n e1 (oxoo gen)
Honnna Axann Ceea nn Maxcnx
He1onnn Hnanonna
Activity Two - B1opoe sa(anne
Reading Read the following dialogue in pairs and indicate with a tick in the table
after the dialogue the age of each person mentioned in the conversation. The first one is done
for you. Use the vocabulary list at the foot of the next page to help you.
A - Kax 1i yxaemi, cxoixo e1 Mann He1onne'
I - yxan, n1o en ioa 1nna1i 1n.
A - 1oe 1ax yxaa, no neanno y:naa, n1o en ye :a coox. Le ciny Came ye
oxoo n1nana1n e1.
I - Heyen' Ona 1ax xoomo niin1.
A - ,a, ona niin1 xooe cnonx e1, a no1 ee cec1a Cne1ana niin1 c1ame
cnoeiono:ac1a. Cxoixo e1 1i en ami'
I - 6i aa en e1 nana1i mec1i, no a: 1i iononmi, n1o ona niin1 c1ame
cnonx e1, 1o, xoe1 6i1i, en oxoo nana1n ne1iex e1.
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
A - He1, en 1oixo nana1i e1.
I - A 1i :naemi, cxoixo e1 nx o1ny, Bnx1oy Hnanonnny'
A - 6i aa exy e1 mec1iec1 n1i, no, iono1, n1o exy ye cexiec1 c nex-1o.
I - ,a, exy neanno ncnonnoci cexiec1 cexi e1. On nexacno niin1
cnoeiono:ac1a.
name about 15 about 77 about over 40 about 24 20 about 65 over 70
26 33
Maria
Petrovna
Sasha
Svetlana
Victor
Ivanovich
Activity Three - Tpe1te sa(anne
Speaking Pairwork. Discuss with your partner the age of each person illustrated in
Activity One, using the dialogue from Activity Two as a guide. Reverse roles after each
picture.
Activity Four - He1np1oe sa(anne
Listening Listen to the recording in which six people describe their relatives. Eill in
the table below with the appropriate information. Some of the answers are given for you.
Use the vocabulary list at the foot of the page to help you.
nn no:ac1 oc1 ne c ia:a nooci
xy Manni ioy6ie
cin Oiin 4.5 xno ycie
ena Hnana :eenie
o1en Tann 60 ceie
xa1i Tann
eymxa Cne1i ncin
6a6ymxa Ion
y:nana1i (y:nan, to recognize nooci hair nicoxnn tall, high
y:naemi) / y:na1i (I) xyomanin / xyon thin, lean xa6yx heel
:a coox over 40 6nne1(xa) dark-haired person c 1yox with difficulty
niie1i (imp) (ni- to look xynocin snub-nosed (no-)c1ae1i to grow old
iy, niinmi) xaax1e personality (c1aen, -emi)
xooe cnonx e1 younger than necn1i (II) (imp) to weigh ceon grey (hair)
ones years ... c noonnnon ... and a half nonin stout
no:ac1 age xann brown (eyes) icin bald
6i a(a) ( dat) I would put ... at xixnn soft io6n1ic (II) to stoop
cexiec1 c nex-1o over 70 ycin light-brown (hair) no-nenexy as before
exy ncnonnoci ... he`s just turned ... na cne1e in the world (no-)none1i to grow stout
cnoeio no:ac1a for ones age c1onnin well-proportioned (nonen, -emi)
oc1 height ceneio no:ac1a (of) average height cein grey (eyes)
nec weight nn6n:n1eino approximately 1exnin dark
365
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
Activity Five - Hn1oe sa(anne
Writing/Listening Look at the chart below and complete it by converting the
information into the metric system, using the table after the chart to help you. Then write the
information for each person in Russian. The first one is done for you. Einally, listen to the tape
to check your answers.
name height weight oc1 nec
John 6 ft 3 ins 14 st 2 lbs ... x ... cx ... xi
Mary 5 ft 5 ins 9 st ... x ... cx ... xi
Mike 5 ft 8 ins 10 st 5 lbs ... x ... cx ... xi
Helen 5 ft 7 ins 9 st 7 lbs ... x ... cx ... xi
Karen 5 ft 4 ins 8 st 7 lbs ... x ... cx ... xi
Anna 4 ft11 ins 6 st 10 lbs ... x ... cx ... xi
Robert 5 ft 10 ins 12 st 7 lbs ... x ... cx ... xi
1 in 2.5 cm
12 ins 1 ft (30 cm)
1 lb 450 gm
2.2 lbs 1 kg
1 st 14 lbs (6.4 kg)
1. Poc1 ,ona nn6n:n1eino 1 xe1 88 can1nxe1on, on necn1 90
xnoiaxxon.
2. Poc1 Men

3. Poc1 Manxa

4. Poc1 Xeen

5. Poc1 Anni

6. Poc1 Po6e1a

366
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
Activity Six - mec1oe sa(anne
Reading/Speaking Read the Body Statistics Report completed for Anna at the Sports
Centre. Answer the questions after the report in Russian, using the vocabulary at the foot of
the following page to help you.
Bodystat
HPAB,A O COCTABL BABLIO TLA
OTLT
Hun: Anna Iennxona
Cnop1nen1p: Iooc1i, Mocxna
Bospac1: 25 Poc1: 1x 75cx a1a: 12.10.02
Pesyut1a1m:
annme 1ec1a Pexouen(yeume (annme
n = 17.5% 21 - 27%
nec na = 10.5 xi 14 - 18 xi
nec xoc1en n ximn = 49.5 xi 47 - 51 xi
o6mnn nec 1ea = 60 xi 63 - 68 xi
noa = 59.5% 50 - 60%
o6rex noi n 1ee = 35.7 (n1on) 30 - 36
yoneni ]n:nnecxon ax1nnnoc1n: nnsknn, nn:xnn/cennn,
cennn, cpe(nnn/nmcoxnn,
ouent ntcoknn
Koxxen1ann xoncyi1an1a: ni naxon1eci n xoomen ]n:nnecxon ]oxe, no nam nec
nexnoio nne noxi, nax 6oime ne ceye1 1e1i nec, noennan1e eio na i1ox
yonne nn nonani1eci na 3 xi.
1. Ie n xoia noxona 1ec1 Anna Iennxona'
2. Cxoixo en e1'
3. Kaxon y nee oc1'
4. Cxoixo ona necn1'
5. Cxoixo nec1 ee xoc1n n ximni'
6. Cxoixo nonen1on o1 ee o6meio neca coc1ane1 n'
7. Coo1ne1c1nye1 n i1o noxe'
8. Mnoio n ona :annxae1c cno1ox'
9. 1o en ne ceye1 6oime ea1i'
10. Kaxne na cone1a ae1 en xoncyi1an1'
367
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
Activity Seven - Ce(tuoe sa(anne
Listening Look at the picture and then listen to the tape. You are going to hear one
of the people in the picture speaking. Try to identify who is speaking after the first listening.
Listen again and identify the other people, filling in the appropriate information in English in
the table below the picture.
name age height eyes hair looks like
mother/father
Inna
Andrei
Katya
Nikita
coc1an composition ( dat) ne ceye1 one ought not (to)
1eo body (no-)1e1i (I) to lose
o1ne1 report noenna1i (I) / noea1i (II) to maintain
6ooc1i (f) good spirits nonan1ic (I) / nonann1ic (II) to put on weight
annie data coornercrnonart (III) (imp) ( dat) to correspond (to)
exoxenyexin recommended noxon1i (II) (imp) to take place
n fat coc1an1i (I) / coc1ann1i (II) to comprise
xoc1i (f) bone nonie iy6i full lips
ximna muscle y:xne iy6i thin lips
o6mnn general oni (f) / 6onn eyebrow(s)
o6rex volume ecnnna / ecnnni eyelash(es)
yoneni (m) level ynaceona1i (III) (pf) to inherit
nn:xnn low, short naeni (m) boy(friend)
368
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
Activity Eight - Boctuoe sa(anne
Speaking/Listening/Writing Answer the questions in Russian using the information
from the table in Activity Seven. Then listen to the tape again and complete the sentences
which follow the questions. You should provide two pieces of information missing from the
table about each person in the picture.
1. Cxoixo e1 Hnne n Anen'
2. Cxoixo e1 nx cec1e Ka1e'
3. Kaxoio onn oc1a'
4. Kaxoio nne1a ia:a Hnxn1i'
5. Kaxoio on oc1a'
6. Ha xoio on noxo'
7. Ha xoio noxoa Ka1'
8. Kaxne ne1i ona ynaceonaa o1 on1een'
9. Kaxne nooci y Hnni'
10. Ha xoio ona noxoa'
11. Cxoixo e1 Hnxn1e'
12. 1o on n6n1 nocn1i'
Missing Information
1. V Hnni a)
b)
2. V Ane a)
b)
3. V Ka1n a)
b)
4. V Hnxn1i a)
b)
Activity Nine - ,enn1oe sa(anne
Reading Read the following story and answer the questions in Russian.
,e, 6a6a n Aema (I. Konai)
Cno1 e a* 6a6a, na xoio noxo nx nnyx. Ia6a ionon1:
- Aema na xen noxo. Taxon e yxnin n 1yon6nnin.
Aema ionon1:
- Beno, neno, neci n 6a6y.
,e ionon1:
- A no-xoexy, Aema na xen noxo. V neio 1axne e ia:a - xacnnie, ioy6ie.
H 6ooa 6oima niac1e1, xoia Aema n cax niac1e1.
Aeme :axo1eoci, n1o6i y neio nioca 1axa e 6ooa, n on ionon1:
* a= n
369

5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
- Beno, neno, 6oime na ea noxo.
Ia6a ionon1:
- Kaxa 6ooa niac1e1, eme nen:nec1no. Ho Aema na xen noxo. On 1ax e,
xax n , n6n1 nan c xeox. A no1 n nan io1on. Cennac nocxo1nx, na xoio 6oime
noxo Aema.
Aema noyxa nexnoio n ionon1:
- Beno, neno, neci n 6a6y.
A e ionon1:
- an c xeox - +1o eme ne nce. Bo1 Aema n6n1, xax , no ecy iy1i.
Aema noyxa-noyxa n ionon1:
- Bo1 ynnn1eino! non na 6a6y noxo, a non - na 1e6. Bo1 cennac nan
nonin n ca:y e na 1e6 noxo 6yy.
1. Honexy xainnx xone1 6i1i noxonx 1o na 6a6ymxy, 1o na eymxy'
2. 1o accxa:a o ce6e eymxa'
3. 1o accxa:aa o ce6e 6a6ymxa'
4. Kaxne ne1i Aema ynaceona o1 eymxn'
5. Kaxne ne1i Aema ynaceona o1 6a6ymxn'
Activity Ten - ecn1oe sa(anne
Speaking Pairwork. Ask your partner about any resemblances in his/her family, then
swap roles. Use the questions in the box below as a guide.
Note: Russians often ask from whom various physical and mental characteristics might have been
inherited. The following are some of the most common questions:
Ha xoio 1i noxo(a)' - Who do you take after?
Ha xoio noxoa 1no cec1a, - Does your sister take after your mother or
na xaxy nn na nany' your father?
V 1e6 ia:a xax y xaxi nn xax y nani' - Do you have your mother`s or father`s eyes?
A na xoio noxo 1non o1en, na eymxy - Does your father take after your grandfather
nn na 6a6ymxy' or grandmother?
B xoio y 1e6 1axon nicoxnn oc1' - Erom whom do your get your height?
Ha xoio 1i noxo(a) xaax1eox' - Erom whom does your personality come?
B xoio 1i 1axon xy:ixainin' - Erom whom do you get your musical ability?
Ti concex ne noxo(a) na cnonx - You don`t look like your parents at all; do
on1een, 1i, nanenoe n eymxy you take after your grandparents?
c 6a6ymxon'
yxnin clever, bright ( dat) :axo1eoci ... wanted
1yon6nnin hard-working nen:nec1no it is uncertain
neno that`s right on 1ax e, xax n , ... he, like me, ...
neci n 6a6y I am like my granny (on) noyxa(-noyxa) (he) thought a little
6ooa beard ynnn1eino it is amazing
(ni-)ac1n (ac1y, ac1emi) to grow (up) ne1a feature
370
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
Activity Eleven - O(nnna(na1oe sa(anne
Reading/Writing You are going on a business trip to Russia. Write to a person you
don`t know, asking him/her to meet you at the airport. Give a description of yourself in the
letter. Read the letter below as a guide.
I-ny Hnanony onon
Mocxna 30 xa1a 2003 i.
Caonoe xoino, 12
Vnaaexin iocnonn Hnanon!
Coo6man Bax, n1o nn6inan n Mocxny 5-io ane. Mon caxoe1 nne1ae1 n
a+ono1 Beexe1ieno - 2 encox SU524 n 12.05. Hocxoixy +1o xon nenin nn:n1
n Mocxny, 6ia 6i oneni nn:na1eina, ecn 6i Bi cxoin xen nc1e1n1i.
K coaennn, y xen ne1 noxomen ]o1oia]nn, no Bi cxoe1e y:na1i xen
no ceynmexy onncannn: xne 29 e1, ceneio oc1a, y xen xoo1xne 1exnie
nooci n ioy6ie ia:a. 6yy oe1a n nenin xoc1nx c ioy6on 6y:xon n
cein nam.
3aanee Bax 6aioana, o cxoon nc1enn.
C ynaennex,
Men Cxn1
Activity Twelve - ,nenana1oe :aanne
Speaking/Reading Pairwork. Look at your partner and ask him or her questions
about your appearance. Then reverse the roles. Use the following dialogue as a guide.
A - Kax 1i yxaemi, cxoixo xne e1'
I - Ho-xoexy, 1e6e e1 20.
A - ,a, xne 20 e1, a xaxon y xen oc1'
I - Ti onoino nicoxoio oc1a.
A - Kaxoio nne1a xon ia:a'
I - V 1e6 ceie ia:a.
A - A xaxne y xen nooci'
I - Ti 6onnnxa c nnnixn nxixn noocaxn.
A - Bo n1o oe1a'
I - Ti oe1a n ioy6ie nnci n cein cnn1e.
A - A no n1o o6y1a'
I - Ti o6y1a n nenie 1y]n.
ynaaexin dear ceynmnn following
coo6ma1i (I) / coo6mn1i (II) to inform onncanne description
nn6ina1i (I) (imp) n ( acc) to arrive (in) 6yy oe1(a) n ( acc) I will be wearing
nocxoixy as 6y:xa blouse
nn:n1 visit nam raincoat
6ia 6i nn:na1eina, I would be grateful :aanee nax 6aioana thank you in advance
ecn 6i ni cxoin if you could o cxoon nc1enn see you soon
noxomnn suitable o6y1(a) n ( acc) I am wearing (on my feet)
371
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
Activity Thirteen - Tpnna(na1oe sa(anne
Speaking Pairwork. Look at the pictures. The four people are: a singer, a painter,
an actress and a politician. Discuss who is who. Use the dialogues below as a guide.
I. A - yxan, n1o neonex na nenon xa1nnxe - non1nx.
I - c 1o6on ne coiacen/ne coiacna. On 6oime noxo na xyonnxa.
II. A - Mne xae1c, n1o enmnna na n1oon xa1nnxe - ax1nca.
I - 1oe 1ax yxan, ona niin1 xax ax1nca.
Activity Fourteen - He1mpna(na1oe sa(anne
Reading/Writing/Listening Read the description of two sisters` personalities and fill
in the gaps using the appropriate words from the box below. Listen to the tape to check your
answers. Use the vocabulary list at the foot of the page to help you.
nec1nin cnoxonnin :axxny1in +neinnnin o1xi1in o1:innnnin ceie:nin
(hard) (calm) (reserved) (energetic) (open) (ready to help) (serious)
Hamn xapax1epm
Mi c cec1on oneni noxon nnemne, no y nac conemenno a:nie xaax1ei.
oneni ______________ neonex, xono ae cxa:a1i ]eixa1nnnin, a cec1a
- ______________ neonex, ona nceia n1o-1o eae1, ne nocnn1 cnoxonno nn
xnny1i. oneni ______________ neonex, ne n6n noxa:ina1i cnon nync1na
yinx, a y cec1i ______________ xaax1e, xax ionon1c, n1o n yme, 1o n
na nne. Ona oneni ______________ neonex, nceia ncex noxoiae1, e ne
n6n nxemnna1ic n nyne ea, nanenoe, no+1oxy xen cnn1an1
______________ neonexox. Ho n onox xi c cec1on oneni noxon: xi
______________ n o1ne1c1nennie nn, nceia ononx nana1oe eo o xonna.
xi nnemne noxon we look alike n1o n yme, 1o n what one feels inside is also
conemenno completely na nne (written) on ones face
a:nin different nxemnna1ic (I) / to interfere in
]eixa1nnnin phlegmatic nxema1ic (I) n ( acc)
nocne1i (pf) (nocny, to sit (for a while) nyne ea other people`s business
nocnnmi) o1ne1c1nennin responsible
nn xnny1i not for a minute onon1i (II) / onec1n to complete something that
xax ionon1c as the saying goes (oney, oneemi) has been started, see some-
nync1no feeling nana1oe eo o xonna thing through to the end
372
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
Activity Fifteen - Hn1na(na1oe sa(anne
Reading/Writing/Listening Look at the adjectives in the box below. Do you know
with which sign of the zodiac any of them are associated? Write them in the table as
illustrated in the example. Then listen to the tape to check your answers and complete the
table.* Add to the table any other adjectives which are associated with the signs but not
included in the box. Use the vocabulary list at the foot of the page to help you.
* Some of the adjectives on the tape are used in the short form; e.g. ncniinnn (hot-tempered). To produce
the masculine short form, simply remove the masculine ending from the long form. To produce the feminine,
neuter and plural short forms, remove the final vowel from the ending.
Gender Long form Short form
Masculine ncniinnn - in ncniinnn
Feminine ncniinnn - a ncniinnn - a
Neuter ncniinnn - oe ncniinnn - o
Plural ncniinnn - ie ncniinnn - i
3nax 3onaxa e1i xaax1ea
Onen (21 xa1a - 20 ane) ncniinnnin,
Teen (21 ane - 21 xa)
In:neni (22 xa - 21 nnn)
Pax (22 nnn - 22 nn)
en (23 nn - 23 aniyc1a)
,ena (24 aniyc1a - 23 cen16)
Beci (24 cen16 - 3 ox16)
Cxonnon (24 ox16 - 22 no6)
C1een (23 no6 - 21 exa6)
Ko:eoi (22 exa6 - 20 nna)
Booen (21 nna - 19 ]ena)
Pi6i (20 ]ena - 20 xa1a)
Onen Aries ne:anncnxin independent
Teen Taurus naxonnnin resourceful
In:neni Gemini o6mn1einin sociable
Pax Cancer neycnnnnin restless
en Leo oxonn1in thrifty
,ena Virgo ynan1einin respectful
Beci Libra n:icxa1einin perfectionist
Cxonnon Scorpio xy:ixainin musical
C1een Sagittarius a1nc1nnnin artistic
Ko:eoi Capricorn noenon strong-willed
Booen Aquarius :nanmnn learned
Pi6i Pisces 6ecnoxonnin turbulent
1nnnnnin typical oiann:onannin (well) organized
ne1enennin impatient ncceona1eicxa a6o1a research work
nync1nn1einin sensitive n6mnn loving
cxonnin x ( dat) inclined to
373
n6o:na1einin (curious), 1yon6nnin (hardworking), ncniinnnin (fiery), c1ac1nin
(passionate), nec1on6nnin (ambitious), 1ennxin (tolerant), neeyc1exennin (purposeful),
:a6o1nnin (caring), nnoxa1nnnin (diplomatic), yneennin (confident), yannonemennin
(well balanced), nonnna1einin (perceptive), ne1enennin (impatient)
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
Activity Sixteen - mec1na(na1oe sa(anne
Speaking Work in small groups. Eind out your partners` star signs and whether
their personalities conform to their star signs. Use the following model as a guide.
- Koia 1i onc/onaci'
- onc/onaci nana1i n1oio nnn.
- 3nann1 1non :nax 3onaxa - Pax'
- ,a, Pax.
- Kax 1i yxaemi, 1non xaax1e 1nnnnen Paxon'
- H a, n ne1. Hannxe, cnn1an, n1o :a6o1nnin n nync1nn1einin neonex.
(31n ne1i xaax1eni xoeio :naxa, no ne oneni eonn1(a).)
- A xaxne ne1i cnoeio xaax1ea 1i cnn1aemi ne1nnnnnixn 1noeio :naxa
3onaxa'
- oneni neycnnnn(a), a +1a ne1a ona 6i1i 1nnnnna In:nenon, a ne
Paxon.
Activity Seventeen - Ceuna(na1oee sa(anne
Reading Read the text below and fill in the quiz (nonocnnx) on the next page.
Use the vocabulary list following Activity Eighteen.
E(nnc1nennmn npannutnmn snax 3o(naxa
Hoxoe, n1o namn ac1ooinnecxne :naxn n:xennnci. Hn onn conexennin Cxonnon
nn en ne onc 1oia, xoia conne naxonoci n :one :naxa Cxonnona nn ina.
Kax y1nean1 ac1onoxi, eo n 1ox, n1o conne n namn nn yacno ona:inae1, a
+1o :nann1, n1o xi onnci no yinx :naxox. Onn ae nien1 nonin :nax,
O]nnxyc (Hecymnn :xn)*, xo1oin ne1c :naxox 1nonec1na n nn1eeca x yxonnon
n:nn. Onaxo, nonie :ne:i ne :axenn1 co6on c1aie. Hamn nonie :naxn nmi
yxa:inan1 na caxie 1nonecxne ne1i nameio xaax1ea n o1nenan1 ne na nonoc
K1o ', a na nonoc K nexy c1exnci'. Ho annon nne 1a6nne ni cxoe1e
nan1n cnon nonin :nax 3onaxa. A nonocnnx noxoe1 nax oneen1i, nacxoixo
cnino nnnne nameio nonoio :naxa.
* Commas are used to mark off words and phrases which stand in apposition to the noun which is the subject or object
of the sentence; e.g. Onn ae nien1 nonin :nax, Cqnak. {1..nnn :nx). Here the noun O]nnxyc
is in apposition to :nax and adds further information about it. Eor more details see the Grammar section.
3nax 3onaxa ,eni oenn
Onen 19 ane - 13 xa
Teen 14 xa - 22 nnn
In:neni 23 nnn - 21 nn
Pax 22 nn - 10 aniyc1a
en 11 aniyc1a - 16 cen16
,ena 17 cen16 - 31 ox16
Beci 1 no6 - 23 no6
Cxonnon 24 no6 - 29 no6
O]nnxyc 30 no6 - 17 exa6
C1een 18 exa6 - 19 nna
Ko:eoi 20 nna - 17 ]ena
Booen 18 ]ena - 12 xa1a
Pi6i 13 xa1a - 18 ane
374
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
Bonocnnx - Bne1 n na Bac nonin :nax '
1o ni cxo1n1e no TB' 1o ni cnn1ae1e nan6oee
:axna1inanmnx :an1nex'
A Miinie onei A Hixn n noy c 6oimon nico1i
I dnixi o nnoe I Honeyn n6nxoio neonexa
B ,ncxyccnn B Vnac1ne n an1oionxe
I a1-moy I Iocanne noxnoon n non1nxon
, Iae1 , Vnac1ne n exonc1annn
Kaxon nam neainin ox' Kaxona nama :ane1na nei'
A Hanynnn ox nn an1onnnen A Bec1n nn1eecnin o6a: n:nn
I Kna1na n nen1e iooa I Hxe1i ycnemnyn xaiey
B Xnxoxynna c y:ixn B 3annxa1ic nex-1o noe:nix
I C1ain oxnx n 1nxon eenne I Bce nex ynn1ic nexy-1o nonoxy
, ,ox neo6innon axn1ex1yi , Hxe1i 6oimyn nac1i
Kaxyn n: ceynmnx no]ecnnn ni O1 neio n n:nn ni 6i xoin nn
6i ni6an' neo6xonxoc1n o1xa:a1ic'
A In:nec xenee A ,y:i
I Mecec1a/xe6a1 I Pa6o1a
B n1ea1ynin xn1nx B My:ixa
I ,nex1o xa1nnnon iaeen I Penin
, Cxyin1o , Texnnnecxne cec1na
Kaxoe xanec1no nan6oee nano 1o 6i acceno nac 6oime
nac' nceio n na1nee'
A O6anne A Heninonennoe o6emanne yia
I Hoexa I Vnoinenne c a6o1i
B Cnanennoc1i B Heninonennie o6emann non1nxon
I Hn1eex1yainie cnoco6noc1n I Ioe:ni yia
, Hnnexa1eina nnemnoc1i , K1o-1o, nn1anmnn namn nncixa
6e: cnoca
Hocne1 onxon (Total points) - Bnnne O]nnxyca na nac (The influence of Ophiucus on you)
1. A=2 I=1 B=0 I=1 ,=1 2. A=1 I=2 B=1 I=0 ,=1 3. A=2 I=0 B=0 I=2 ,=1
4. A=0 I=2 B=2 I=1 ,=1 5. A=0 I=1 B=1 I=2 ,=1 6. A=2 I=0 B=1 I=0 ,=1
7. A=0 I=2 B=1 I=2 ,=1 8. A=1 I=0 B=2 I=2 ,=1
1..n sz nu0u.n u: ,u u4kus.
Bi nnnaen1e x c1aon cnc1exe 3onaxa. Bi ne n6n1e ncxona1i n nenonn1ae1e n1n no
n:nn :naxoxon ooion. Honin :nax ne oxa:inae1 na nac cymec1nennoio nnnn.
1..n sz nu0u.n u: ? ,u TT u4kus.
Bi naxon1eci na neexec1xe c1aoio n nonoio. Honin :nax oxa:inae1 na nac cannn1eino
cninoe nnnne, n e:yi1a1e neio ni c1aae1eci nnxnn1i a:nie ne1i cnoeio xaax1ea.
1..n sz nu0u.n u: T2 ,u T u4kus.
Honin :nax oxa:inae1 na nac oneni cninoe nnnne. Mnoine ne1i nameio c1aoio :naxa
1enei ynnn1 nac. Bi c1exn1eci x nonix no:xonoc1x n x nonoxy 6yymexy, nnoia ncxy
cnoen 6e:onacnoc1in.
:ku.zku su. u:s.:us ,"
Bicoxoe nnco o1ne1on , yxa:ine1 na cninoe nnnne O]nnxyca. ex nne +1o nnco, 1ex
xenime eio nnnne.
375
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
Activity Eighteen - Boceuna(na1oe sa(anne
Speaking/Writing Groupwork. Interview people in your group and fill in the table
below as in the example.
Hx/eni C1ain :nax/ne1i Honin :nax/ne1i
oenn xaax1ea xaax1ea
Anna/12 xa Teen - Onen - ncniinnnin,
neeyc1exennin, ne1enennin,
naxonnnin, ne:anncnxin
nonnna1einin
eonn1in efficient noneyn kiss
neycnnnnin not persevering an1oionxa car race
noxoe, n1o it seems that 6ocanne throwing
xax y1nean1 as the astronomers :ane1na nei (f) outstanding ambition
ac1onoxi claim nac1i (f) power
nie1i (I) / nien1i (II) to assign nn neo6xonxoc1n in case of necessity
necymnn :xn serpent -bearer oxa:ina1ic (I) / to turn out to be
(Biblical) oxa:a1ic (oxayci,
1nonec1no creativity oxaemic)
yxonna n:ni spiritual life 1exnnnecxne cec1na technology
:ne:a / :ne:i star(s) neninonennin unfulfilled
:axen1i (I) / :axenn1i (II) to replace o6emanne promise
(co6on) (oneself) ynoinenne c a6o1i dismissal from work,
yxa:ina1i (I) / yxa:a1i to indicate redundancy
(yxay, yxaemi) 6e: cnoca without permission
c1exn1ic (imp) (c1exnci / to strive for, na6na1i (I) / na6a1i to pick up points
c1exnmic) x ( dat) aim for (na6ey, na6eemi) onxn
no annon nne 1a6nne according to the nnnaea1i (nnnaey, to belong to
table below nnnaenmi) (imp only)
onee1i (I) / oneen1i to determine x ( dat)
(II) oxa:ina1i (I) oxa:a1i to exert an influence on
nacxoixo cnino how strong (oxay, oxaemi) nnnne
nanynnn ox houseboat na ( acc)
(non) an1onnnen caravan ncxona1i (III) (imp) ( instr) to risk (s.th.)
nxoxxyna commune cymec1nennin vital, important
ni6na1i (I) / ni6a1i to choose neexec1ox crossroads
(ni6ey, ni6eemi) cannn1eino comparatively
o6anne charm (no-)c1aa1ic (I) to try
noexa support(iveness) nnxn1i (I) / to reconcile
cnanennoc1i (f) fairness nnxnn1i (II)
nn1eex1yainin intellectual ynn1i (I) / ynnn1i to surprise
cnoco6noc1n abilities (ynnn, ynnnmi)
nnnexa1einin attractive 6e:onacnoc1i (f) safety
nnemnoc1i (f) appearance nex nne ..., 1ex the lower ., the
:axna1inanmnn exciting xenime ... less .
c 6oimon nico1i from a great height
376
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
Activity Nineteen - enn1na(na1oe sa(anne
Speaking Pairwork. Eind out your partner `s opinion of the results of the analysis
of his/her personality from the interview in Activity Eighteen, using the model below.
- Anna, 1i coiacna co cnoen xaax1enc1nxon no nonoxy :naxy'
- H a, n ne1. cnn1an, n1o 1oixo ona ne1a xaax1ea no nonoxy :naxy
1nnnnna xen.
- H xaxa i1o ne1a'
- Ho-xoexy, oneni ne:anncnxa, no, xne xae1c, n1o 1enenna n cnoxonna.
- A n1o 1i yxaemi o cnoen xaax1enc1nxe no c1aoxy :naxy'
- nonoc1in c nen coiacna.
GRAMMAR
THE SHORT FORM OF AD1ECTIVES
Most qualitative adjectives have long and short forms. However, relative adjectives which denote
inherent characteristics have long forms only; e.g. eennnin (denotes material), neeinin
(denotes time), :ay6enin (denotes place) etc. The masculine short form is produced by
removing the whole of the masculine ending from the long form. The feminine, neuter and plural
short forms are produced by removing the final vowel of the endings:
Gender Long form Short form
Masculine cnoxonn - in cnoxoen*
Feminine cnoxonn - a cnoxonn - a
Neuture cnoxonn - oe cnoxonn - o
Plural cnoxonn - ie cnoxonn - i
* The fill vowels -e- or -o- may occasionally appear in the stem of a masculine short-form adjective. Their
function is to break up the consonant cluster left after the removal of the full-form masculine ending; e.g.
6oin - on (6oen), nn1eecn - mn (nn1eecen), xoo1x - nn (xoo1ox). The fill vowel -e- usually
replaces a soft sign or n, whereas the fill vowel -o- splits the consonant clusters ending in r, x.
There are a small number of adjectives with the fill vowel e:
oc1in sharp oc1e (oc1a, oc1o, oc1i)
cninin strong cnen (cnina, cnino, cnini)
yxnin clever yxen (yxna, yxno, yxni)
xn1in cunning xn1e (xn1a, xn1o, xn1i)
Some adjectives with a consonant cluster do not have a fill vowel in the masculine short form:
6oin cheerful 6o
o6in kind o6
ioin proud io
xe1nin dead xe1n
nec1in multi-coloured nec1
377
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
378
Special short forms
1. In the following adjectives the stem of the short form is completely different from that of
the full form:
6oimon big nenx, nenxa, nenxo, nenxn`
xaenixnn small xa, xaa, xao, xai`
* The adjectives nenxnn / 6oimon and xaenixnn / xain are not distinguished in the short forms.
2. In the following adjectives the stem of the masculine short form is slightly different from
that of the full form:
oc1onnin worthy oc1onn, oc1onna, oc1onno, oc1onni
ncxennin sincere ncxenen, ncxenna, ncxenno, ncxenni
3. Pa (-a, -o, -i) (glad), coiacen, coiacna, (-o, -i) (agreeable), oen,
ona, (-o, -i) (obliged) have no long form.
4. Kaxon (-a, -o, -i) is used in the meaning what kind of / what` and 1axon (-a, -o, -i)
in the meaning such`. However, xax and 1ax are used to modify short adjectives:
xaxono 1noe xnenne no i1oxy nonocy' what is your opinion on this issue?
1axono name xnenne such is our opinion
xax nexacen i1o1 xn! how wonderful this world is!
on 1ax yxen he is so clever
USE OF THE SHORT FORM OF AD1ECTIVES
Attributive use of the short-form adjective is considered archaic. It occurs in folk songs, poetry,
epics etc. (e.g. ne nc1enae1 eio xooa ena - his young wife does not meet him; xacno
conimxo - beautiful sun). It is also used in certain set expressions, some of which are found
in colloquial Russian:
na 6ocy noiy on one`s bare feet
o1 xaa o nenxa great and small
no 6ey cne1y into the wide world
1. In modern Russian the short form of adjectives is used predicatively (i.e. after a link-verb
such as 6i1i, 6ina1i, xa:a1ic, oxa:a1ic, c1a1i etc.). The link-verb is used
in the past and future tenses (e.g. on 6i yxen - he was clever; cxoo on 6ye1
iooen - soon he will be hungry); in the imperative mood (e.g. 6yi cnac1nna - be
happy); in the conditional-subjunctive mood (e.g. xi 6in 6i ai, ecn 6i ni
nnexan x nax - we would be glad if you visited us). In the present tense the link-verb
is omitted (e.g. on yxen - he is clever; on iooen - he is hungry). The short-form
adjective normally follows the noun or pronoun but may precede it for greater emphasis
(e.g. cnac1nn neonex, xo1oin 1onno :nae1, neio on xone1 - a person who
knows exactly what he wants is a happy person).
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course
379
2. While the long form usually denotes permanent characteristics, the short form is generally
used to indicate a temporary state or condition.
Compare, for example, the following:
i1a xoxna1a xaenixa the full-form adjective xaenixa simply
means that the room is small
i1a xoxna1a xaa the short-form adjective xaa implies that it is
too small for somebody or for some particular
purpose or occasion
Note that an adjective should always be used in its short form when it is accompanied by words
or phrases identifying restrictions:
a) when followed by a noun, pronoun or prepositional phrase
i1a xoxna1a xaa (un uenn this room is too small for me
i1o1 ]nix nenn1eecen o1ny this film is not interesting for my father
b) when followed by a subordinate clause
cnac1nna, u1o 1m npnmeu I am happy you came
c) when followed by an infinitive with or without n1o6i
ona oc1a1onno coc1o1eina, she is sufficiently well off not to worry about
u1om ne nepeanna1t o eniiax money
1i ne cnoco6en non1i i1o you are incapable of understanding it
Activity Twenty - na(na1oe sa(anne
Writing Put the adjectives into their appropriate short forms in the following
Russian sayings and proverbs. Then match up the phrases with the literal translations
given in the right-hand side of the box. Can you think of any English equivalents?
1. n6nn nce no:ac1i (noxonie). As is the priest, so is the flock.
2. Koia ex, (iyxon) n (nexon). Love is blind, you can fall in love even
with a goat.
3. Kyn ee:o, noxa (ionee). When I am eating I am deaf and dumb.
4. (Kaxon) non, (1axon) n nnxo. Hammer the iron while it is hot.
5. n6oni (cena), non6nmi n xo:a. All ages are submissive to love.
Activity Twenty-One - na(na1t nepnoe sa(anne
Reading/Writing Read the following astrological forecast from the Russian
magazine Ona (January, 2001) for Capricornians. Underline all the short-form
adjectives that you can find and analyse their use.
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
380
Ko:eoi
22 exa6 - 20 nna
nnai - xecn Ko:eoia.
V nac nannnae1c nonin ionnnin nnx n:nn. Bi ineinnni, on1nxnc1nnni
n yneeni n cnonx cnax. Te, x1o nee ne o6ama na nac nnnxann, cennac ne
noc1o :axe11, no n nn:nan1 neox. B i1o1 :nxnnn xecn ni eixo
naannae1e xon1ax1i, c 6ecxox emae1e n6ie :aann xax nnnoio, 1ax n
eonoio xaax1ea. Oco6enno yanno ea cxainan1c n nenon exae
nna. Bax nec1on1 xnoio a:nnnoio oa a:ionoon n xoo1xnx noe:ox.
Iyi1e 6n1eini: n ooie ni nnone xoe1e nc1e1n1i cnon n6oni!
NOUNS IN APPOSITION
Words are said to be in apposition when they refer to the same person or thing and are placed
one after the other without being joined by a conjunction.
You should try to remember the following:
1. Commas are normally used to mark off words and phrases standing in apposition to the noun
or pronoun which is the subject/object of the sentence; e.g. Man, n:nec1na nennna, ne
nnnixa x 1axoxy o6amennn - Maria, a famous singer, was not used to such treatment.
2. Single nouns in apposition (usually geographical proper nouns) are hyphenated when they
precede the noun they describe. The hyphen is omitted when the order is reversed; e.g. Mocxna-
exa (but exa Mocxna), Hixeni-o:eo (but o:eo Hixeni).
3. When two or more nouns, pronouns or modifiers refer to the same person or object they are
used in the same case; e.g. Mann, n:nec1nyn nennny, on :na c e1c1na - he knew
Maria, a famous singer, from childhood.
Activity Twenty-Two - na(na1t n1opoe sa(anne
Writing Put the words in brackets in their correct form in the sentences below.
1. ye 6ia na exnnn Hnana Ionconnna ]enna,
(n:nec1nin no]ecco xa1exa1nxn).
ionnnin nnx year-long cycle c 6ecxox brilliantly
yneennin n ( prep) confident ema1i (I) (imp) to solve (s.th.)
cna strength n6on any
1e, x1o (those) people who :aana task
nee previously eonon business
o6ama1i (I) nnnxanne na ( acc) to pay attention to yanno successful(ly)
:axena1i (I) / :axe1n1i (:axeny, to notice cxaina1ic (I) / con1ic (II) to turn out
:axe1nmi) a:nnnoio oa of various sorts
nn:nana1i (nn:nan, to recognize nax nec1on1 you are in for
nn:naemi) / nn:na1i (I) 6n1einin alert, watchful
naanna1i (I) (imp) xon1ax1i to set up contacts nnone entirely, fully
C
h
a
p
t
e
r


1
9
A new ab initio Russian course 381
2. Mi noxoin noynn1i nn:y namexy nonoxy c1yen1y, __________________
___________________ (xooon aninnannn n: Ian1ona).
3. Ceion xi naxonen nc1e1nnci c Manen He1onnon, _________________
___________________ (nama nona cocexa).
4. Onn nny1 n Bamnni1one, __________________ (c1onna) CBA.
5. ne n6n cnon1i co cnoen cec1on, ________________________________
___________________ (ncniinnna n ne1enenna enymxa).
6. Bnea nne cnoeio yia, ________________ (Ionc), __________________
___________________ (naxonnnin naeni c nxoox).
7. 3an1a xi nonex n ioc1n x namnx y:ix, __________________________
___________________ (oneni nn1eecnie n yxnie nn).
8. B ia:e1ax nac1o nnmy1 o nonix yccxnx _______________________________
___________________ (6oia1ie, no ne nceia xoomo o6a:onannie nn).
9. B nomox ioy xi xynnn nonin an1onnnen, ________________________
___________________ (yo6nin, xo1i n ne6oimon).
10. Mon o1en onc n O6maonxe, _____________________________________
___________________ (ne6oima eenn na Boie).
THE PARTICLE HH
Particles are words which are used with other words and phrases to express uncertainty and
subjective attitudes and emotions.
The particle n has the following functions:
i) It corresponds to if` or whether` in English
ne :nan, oxa n ona - I don`t know if / whether she is at home
ona ne yneena, coiacn1c n on - she is not sure if / whether he will agree
on cnocn, ionon1 n ona no-yccxn - he asked if / whether she spoke Russian
The particle n follows the operative word (usually a verb) in the subordinate clause.
Note: do not use ecn in similar constructions. Although if` can be used in English, ecn is only
used in Russian in conditional sentences; e.g. ecn noioa 6ye1 xooma, nony iy1i - if
the weather is nice I will go for a walk.
Remember the following rule: if you can replace if` by whether` in English, use n; otherwise, use
ecn.
5 =L (Russian from Scratch)

e
n
x
r
n
a

n
a
r
a
x


r
n
a
n
a
382
ii) It is also used in questions
anno n ni nnexan n: Mocxni' - is it long since you returned from Moscow?
ne xo1n1e n ni non1n n 1ea1' - would you like to go to the theatre?
In questions, n always follows the word which bears the logical stress, and it is not normally
translated.
Note: the word order in questions with the particle n is inverted. If n is omitted from the question,
there is no inversion. Compare the following:
anno n ni nnexan n: Mocxni' = ni anno nnexan n: Mocxni'
The following phrases containing n might be useful: n n (hardly likely), ena n (hardly)
n n nny ceion x 1e6e - I am hardly likely to come to see you today
n n xono c naxn coiacn1ic - one can hardly agree with you
Activity Twenty-Three - na(na1t 1pe1te sa(anne
Writing Translate the following into Russian. Use n where appropriate.
1. I don`t remember if I have read this book.
2. Is it long since you saw your brother?
3. Aren`t you going with us?
4. She asked whether I wanted to buy a new computer.
5. Do they work?
6. He is not sure if he is able to go on holiday next year.
7. She is hardly likely to do it.
8. We don`t know if they are learning Russian or some other language.
9. One can hardly argue with it.
10. He asked whether she had passed the exam.