# Russian for family dinners

**Language:** Russian  
**CEFR Level:** A1  

> Master the essentials of Russian dining etiquette. Practice listening and speaking on the go to impress your hosts.

**Setting:** A cozy apartment in Moscow filled with the aroma of home-cooked food. Friends and family gather around a large, brightly lit dining table to share a weekend feast.

## Lessons

### 1. Arriving at the home

Learn how to greet your host and navigate the tradition of taking off your shoes.

**Vocabulary:**
- здравствуйте (hello)
- подарок (m) (gift)
- цветы (pl) (flowers)
- тапочки (pl) (slippers)
- проходите (come in)

**Objectives:**
- Greet the host
- Offer a small gift
- Understand household rules like wearing slippers

### 2. Setting the table

Familiarize yourself with basic tableware. These words are essential when offering to help the hostess.

**Vocabulary:**
- стол (m) (table)
- тарелка (f) (plate)
- вилка (f) (fork)
- нож (m) (knife)
- ложка (f) (spoon)
- стакан (m) (glass)

**Objectives:**
- Identify basic tableware
- Offer to help set the table

### 3. Starting with zakuski

Begin the meal by exploring traditional Russian starters and asking for more food politely.

**Vocabulary:**
- салат (m) (salad)
- хлеб (m) (bread)
- рыба (f) (fish)
- пожалуйста (please)
- взять (to take)
- ещё (more)

**Objectives:**
- Identify common starters
- Politely ask for more food

### 4. Enjoying the main course

Navigate the hearty main dishes and express your enjoyment of the hot food.

**Vocabulary:**
- суп (m) (soup)
- мясо (n) (meat)
- пельмени (pl) (dumplings)
- есть (to eat)
- горячий (hot)

**Objectives:**
- Name hot dishes like soups and dumplings
- Talk about eating

### 5. Drinks and toasts

Participate in the crucial Russian tradition of giving toasts to health and happiness.

**Vocabulary:**
- чай (m) (tea)
- вино (n) (wine)
- вода (f) (water)
- пить (to drink)
- за (to/for)
- здоровье (n) (health)

**Objectives:**
- Identify common drinks
- Understand and participate in toasts

### 6. Dessert and compliments

Finish the meal with something sweet and let the host know you are completely full.

**Vocabulary:**
- торт (m) (cake)
- сладкий (sweet)
- вкусно (delicious)
- аппетит (m) (appetite)
- сыт (full)

**Objectives:**
- Compliment the food
- Express that you are full

### 7. Thanking the host

Express your gratitude for the hospitality and say your goodbyes before heading home.

**Vocabulary:**
- спасибо (thank you)
- вечер (m) (evening)
- дом (m) (home)
- до свидания (goodbye)
- гость (m) (guest)
- хозяйка (f) (hostess)

**Objectives:**
- Thank the hostess for the meal
- Say goodbye properly