If you’re learning Russian, you may already know more Russian words than you think!
Russian borrowed many words from French, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, when French had enormous influence on Russian aristocracy, culture, fashion, food, and everyday vocabulary.
The story goes back to the era of Peter the Great, when Russia increasingly adopted European vocabulary. In the 18th and 19th centuries, French became the language of the Russian aristocracy, leaving a lasting mark on Russian vocabulary.
Here are a few you might recognize:
ресторан restaurant
меню menu
пальто paletot
этаж étage
бассейн bassin
газон gazon
гардероб garde-robe
билет billet
визит visite
And one of my favorites: комильфо comme il faut
Не комильфо means “not proper,” “not appropriate,” or “not classy.”
Learning Russian becomes much more interesting when you discover the history hiding inside everyday Russian vocabulary.
Do you want to learn Russian beyond vocabulary lists? My Russian language classes combine practical Russian, cultural context, and authentic language so you can understand not only what Russians say, but why they say it.