Russian

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to Russia, its people, or its language.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: Russian culture, Russian people. It is not usually used after a verb except in fixed phrases like 'The team is Russian.'

   Patterns

   • Russian + noun

   She studies Russian history at university.

   My grandfather was born in a Russian city near the border.

   The restaurant serves Russian food like borscht and dumplings.

2. 2nouncountable

   A person who comes from Russia.

   Grammar: Countable: one Russian, two Russians. Capitalize it.

   Patterns

   • a Russian
   • the Russians

   Several Russians were among the students in my class.

   He married a Russian and moved to Moscow.

   The Russians have a long tradition of ballet.

3. 3noununcountable

   The main language spoken in Russia and in some neighboring countries.

   Grammar: Uncountable: Russian is easy for me, not 'a Russian'. Do not use 'a' before it.

   Patterns

   • speak Russian
   • in Russian
   • learn Russian

   Can you speak Russian?

   The letter was written in Russian, so I couldn't read it.

   She is learning Russian because she wants to work in Moscow.

Word forms

Common combinations

Russian language

The Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

Russian food

Russian food often includes potatoes and cabbage.

speak Russian

He speaks Russian and English fluently.

Russian history

She is an expert in Russian history.

Russian people

Russian people are known for their hospitality.

Word family

Russia proper noun

The country where Russian is spoken.

Commonly confused: Russian or Prussian?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “Russian”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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