Intermediate Russian

When you are learning Russian or any other language, one of the things that separates you from beginner to intermediate and from intermediate to advanced is your vocabulary.

We dedicated Learn Russian Words to those who want to increase their Russian vocabulary and have more opportunities to practice.

Below, you can find the intermediate Russian vocabulary from our series Russian Word of the Day.

Every word comes with a picture, two examples and an audio recorded by a native Russian speaker. Click on the word or a picture for more details.

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синя́к [see-nyák] Noun, masculine

bruise

Examples

Я постоя́нно на всё натыка́юсь, поэ́тому у меня́ все но́ги в синяка́х.

ya pas-ta-yán-na na fsyo na-ty-ká-yus', pa-é-ta-mu u mee-nya fsye nó-gee f see-nee-káh

I constantly bump into things, so my legs are covered with bruises.
Ой как бо́льно! Тепе́рь синя́к бу́дет.

oî kak ból'-na! tee-pyér' see-nyák bú-deet

Oh how painful! Now there will be a bruise.

ще́дрый [schyéd-ryî] Adjective

generous, open-handed

Examples

Он о́чень ще́дрый, никогда́ не жале́ет де́нег на друзе́й.

on ó-cheen schyéd-ryî, nee-kag-dá nye zhee-lyé-yet dyé-nyek na dru-zyéî

He is very generous, he is never stingy when it comes to his friends.
Э́то был о́чень ще́дрый жест с твое́й стороны́.

é-ta byl ó-cheen' schyéd-ryî zhest s tva-yéî sta-ra-ný

It was a very generous gesture of yours.

увольне́ние [u-val'-nyé-nee-ye] Noun, neuter

discharge, release, dismissal

Examples

В компа́нии прохо́дят ма́ссовые увольне́ния.

v kam-pá-nee-ee pra-hó-dyat más-sa-vy-ye u-val'-nyé-nee-ya

The company massively dismisses employees.
При увольне́нии сотру́днику поло́жена компенса́ция за неиспо́льзованный о́тпуск.

pree u-val'-nyé-nee-ee sat-rúd-nee-ku pa-ló-zhee-na kam-peen-sá-tsee-ya za nye-ees-pól'-za-va-nyî ót-pusk

Upon dismissal, the employee is entitled to a compensation for unused vacation.

потоло́к [pa-ta-lók] Noun, masculine

ceiling

Examples

В зда́нии обвали́лся потоло́к.

v zdá-nee-ee ab-va-léel-sya pa-ta-lók

The ceiling collapsed in the building.
Мне нра́вятся о́кна от по́ла до потолка́.

mnye nrá-vya-tsa ók-na at pó-la da pa-tal-ká

I like the windows from floor to ceiling.

мо́лния [mól-nee-ya] Noun, feminine

lightning; zipper

Examples

В э́то де́рево уда́рила мо́лния.

v é-ta dyé-ree-va u-dá-ree-la mól-nee-ya

This tree was struck by lightning.
Застегни́ мо́лнию на ко́фте.

zas-teeg-née mól-nee-yu na kóf-tye

Close the zipper on the jacket.

ссо́ра [ssó-ra] Noun, feminine

quarrel, altercation, falling-out

Examples

Ме́жду ни́ми произошла́ ссо́ра.

myézh-du née-mee pra-ee-zash-lá ssó-ra

They had an altercation.
Она́ с ним в ссо́ре.

a-ná s neem f ssó-rye

She has fallen out with him.

погла́дить [pa-glá-deet'] Verb, perfective. Imperfective - гла́дить

to pat, to caress; to iron

Examples

Хо́чешь погла́дить щенка́?

hó-cheesh' pa-glá-deet' scheen-ká

Do you want to pat the puppy?
Я погла́дила вчера́ все твои́ руба́шки.

ya pa-glá-dee-la fchee-rá fsye tva-ée ru-básh-kee

I ironed all your shirts yesterday.

перегово́ры [pee-ree-ga-vó-ry] Noun, plural

negotiations, talks

Examples

Перегово́ры зашли́ в тупи́к.

pee-ree-ga-vó-ry zash-lée f tu-péek

Negotiations have reached an impasse.
Сто́роны се́ли за стол перегово́ров.

stó-ra-ny syé-lee za stol pee-ree-ga-vó-raf

The parties sat down at the negotiating table.

да́ром [dá-ram] Adverb

for nothing, free (of charge); in vain, to no purpose

Examples

Кому́ ну́жен то́стер? Отда́м да́ром.

ka-mú nú-zhen tós-tyer? at-dám dá-ram

Who needs a toaster? I'm giving it away.
Тебе́ э́то да́ром не пройдёт!

tee-byé é-ta dá-ram nye praî-dyót!

You won't get away with it!

собесе́дование [sa-bee-syé-da-va-nee-ye] Noun, neuter

interview (for a job or studies), interlocution

Examples

У меня́ в три часа́ собесе́дование по по́воду но́вой рабо́ты.

u mee-nyá v tree chee-sá sa-bee-syé-da-va-nee-ye pa pó-va-du nó-vaî ra-bó-ty

At three o'clock I have an interview for a new job.
Он не пришёл на собесе́дование.

on nye pree-shól na sa-bee-syé-da-va-nee-ye

He did not come to the interview.