8 Russian Idioms to Prepare You for the MosaLingua Russian App Launch

Happy with the MosaLingua language learning apps you already have, but ready for a new challenge? We personally can’t wait for the launch of our Russian app later this week! The team has been working hard on it, developing the most useful content, fun bonus items, and even a lesson that will teach you how to read the Cyrillic alphabet in just a few hours. Before you know it, you’ll be able to converse with language partners or locals, travel and communicate independently, or conclude big business deals – all in Russian. It’s a beautiful and beneficial language to learn (if you need some convincing, read our article about the top 7 reasons to learn Russian!) Since the launch is still a few days away, why not “wet your whistle” (or “whet your appetite”) with a few Russian idioms in the meantime?

8 Russian Idioms to Prepare You for the Latest MosaLingua App Launch

Learning idioms is a great way to get to know another culture. Each language has its own unique sayings and phrases that have specific meanings. Idioms are not necessarily related to what the actual words themselves mean. For example, a common English idiom would be: it’s raining cats and dogs. Of course, English speakers know that if someone says this, it does not mean that there are literal cats and dogs falling from the sky. Rather, it is an idiom that means that it is raining very hard. Knowing some of the most frequently used idioms in the language you are learning can save you a lot of confusion. Here are a few idioms every Russian language learner should know.

Подковать блоху

How it’s pronounced: podkovat’ blokhu

Literally means: To shoe a flea

Don’t confuse this with “to shoo a flea.” This idiom comes from a Russian story about a man who was so talented that he was able to put microscopic horseshoes on a flea. If you’re worried about how hard learning the language might be, give it a try! You may find that you’re quite talented at it. And, check out the Russian artist Nikolai Aldunin, who actually did it (not just shoes, but a saddle and stirrups, too!)

We promise, learning Russian with the MosaLingua app is way easier than trying to shoe a flea.

Быть в своей тарелке

How it’s pronounced: byt’ v svoyey tarelke

Literally means: To be at one’s plate

If you are feeling good or at ease, throwing this idiom into conversation will impress your Russian friends. The French have a similar expression, used in the negative to mean that someone is uneasy or not well: “être dans son assiette.” Literally, it means “to be in your plate” (but its origins have nothing to do with plates). You will feel like a fish in water learning Russian. 😉

Без сучка, без задоринки

How it’s pronounced: bez suchka, bez zadorinki

Literally means: Without a hitch

This expression, which originates from the language of carpenters, means something that goes perfectly, with no unexpected difficulties. Some equivalent English expressions might be: “to go swimmingly,” “to go off without a hitch,” or even “as clean as a whistle.” Use this to describe how your Russian training is going once the app comes out.

Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́

How it’s pronounced: bez trudá ne výtashchish’ i rýbku iz prudá

Literally means: Without effort, you won’t pull a fish out of a pond

While your Russian language learning will be easier with the new MosaLingua app and its specially-designed Spaced Repetition System, you’ll still have to put in effort if you want to get good. This is one of the best Russian idioms to describe the hard work you’ll have to put in to achieve good results, something like “no pain, no gain” in English.

Yes, learning Russian will require some effort. But with the MosaLingua app, you can work whenever is convenient for you: morning, noon, or night.

Вешать лапшу на уши

How it’s pronounced: veshat’ lapshu na ushi

Literally means: To hang noodles on one’s ears

This is one of many hilarious Russian idioms. It is a slightly stronger way of saying, “You’re pulling my leg.” (Think: “That’s B.S.!”) It seems to be a favorite among some Russian politicians. We’ve been talking about creating a Russian app for a while now. This would be an appropriate expression to use if you didn’t think we were actually serious about it. (Check you ears for noodles – see, we weren’t lying!)

Hey, is that a noodle on your ear?

Одна нога здесь, другая там

How it’s pronounced: odna noga zdes’, drugaya tam

Literally means: One foot/leg here, another there

This expression can be both a promise or a command, depending on the circumstances. Essentially: very quickly. In English, it would equate to something like, “in a jiffy,” “make it snappy,” or “before you know it.” Use this idiom to tell your friends about how quickly you started speaking Russian with the new MosaLingua app!

Выпрыгнуть из штанов

How it’s pronounced: vyprygnut iz shtanov

Literally means: To jump out of one’s pants

While in English, this idiom would usually imply fright, Russians use it when they are overly excited about something. And this expression sums up how we feel about the upcoming launch of the MosaLingua Russian app perfectly! (We also just love picturing someone jumping so high for joy that they physically lose their pants!)

Learning Russian makes us jump out of our pants!

Ни пу́ха, ни пера́

How it’s pronounced: ni púkha, ni perá

Literally means: Neither fur nor feather

And finally, a sneak peek at the kind of cool content you’ll get in the latest app! It is a way to wish someone good luck in Russian, and you’ll find out about how it came to be, and why people still use it in one of our bonus items. We won’t spoil the answer for you, but here’s a hint: this expression has its origins in hunting… Download the MosaLingua Russian app this week and find out more.

If you’ve mastered these idioms and still need something else to tide you over until you can download the Learn Russian app, take a look at the online Russian learning resources we’ve compiled. We included e-books, online TV, radio, and podcasts, move recommendations, and more. Also, for more Russian idioms, head over to MasterRussian.com. There, you’ll find a dictionary of over 500 expressions. До скорого!