Vocabulary: Other High-Frequency Words

Cognates

Ресторан (Restoran) – Restaurant
Такси (Taksi) – Taxi
Интернет (Internet) – Internet
Телефон (Telefon) – Telephone
Спорт (Sport) – Sport
Музыка (Muzyka) – Music
Хобби (Hobbi) – Hobby

These are words that look similar and have the same meaning in both Russian and English.

Common Verbs

Есть (Yest’) – To eat
Пить (Pit’) – To drink
Спать (Spat’) – To sleep
Читать (Chitat’) – To read
Говорить (Govorit’) – To talk, to speak
Понимать (Ponimat’) – To understand
Идти (Idti) – To go
Работать (Rabotat’) – To work
Учить (Uchit’) – To study, to learn

These are high-frequency verbs likely to be encountered in everyday conversation and various written contexts.

Opposites

Хорошо (Horosho) – Good; Плохо (Ploho) – Bad
Большой (Bol’shoi) – Big; Маленький (Malen’kij) – Small
День (Den’) – Day; Ночь (Noch’) – Night
Высокий (Vysokij) – Tall, high; Низкий (Nizkij) – Short, low
Сильный (Sil’nyj) – Strong; Слабый (Slabij) – Weak
Светлый (Svetlij) – Light; Темный (Temnyj) – Dark

Understanding opposites is a great way to boost vocabulary.

Family

Мама (Mama) – Mum
Папа (Papa) – Dad
Брат (Brat) – Brother
Сестра (Sestra) – Sister
Дочь (Doch’) – Daughter
Сын (Syn) – Son
Родители (Roditeli) – Parents

Family vocabulary is essential for personal conversations, writing assignments, and speaking tasks.

Weather

Солнце (Solnce) – Sun
Дождь (Dozhd’) – Rain
Снег (Sneg) – Snow
Ветер (Veter) – Wind
Тепло (Teplo) – Warm
Холодно (Holodno) – Cold

Weather vocabulary is very useful for travel or everyday conversation.

Note: Familiarity with a wider range of vocabulary can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Russian. Short frequent revision sessions are usually more effective for long-term retention. Focus on ones you are less comfortable with until they become second nature.