Useful phrases from soviet films.

Those who really interested in the Russian language and culture, of course, should watch the soviet films, that without doubts we can call “the gold of the Russian cinematography”. Many Russians of all generations occasionally could use phrases from those films, which are the most appropriate in the conversation. Sometimes for foreigners it would be difficult to understand the meaning of such phrases. So there are several useful expressions that are used the most.

1. Огласите весь список, пожалуйста – Share/announce the whole list, please (“Операция Ы и другие приключения Шурика” / “Operation Y and Shurik’s Other Adventures”) – request for all the variants or full information;
2. Помедленнее, я записываю! – Talk slower, I’m writing it down (“Кавказская пленница”/ “Kidnapping, Caucasian Style”) – with a little bit of irony and sarcasm, when one hears someone listing the things and the list goes on and on;
3. Птичку жалко – I feel bad for the birdy (“Кавказская пленница”/ “Kidnapping, Caucasian Style”) – to express regret for something lost, for example;
4. Какая гадость эта ваша заливная рыба! – How disgusting is this fish in aspic of yours! (“Ирония судьбы”/ “The Irony of Fate”) – to show a dislike for something;
5. Семëн Семëныч! – Semyon Semyonych! (“Бриллиантовая рука”/ “The Diamond Arm”).

This last quote may be difficult to understand without any context. Basically, Semyon Semyonych is actually the name of the simpleton hero in the film. We use this line to mildly reproach (in a very friendly and inoffensive way) when someone is doing or saying something evidently naïve or stupid.

All in all, watching the soviet films is very helpful when it comes to learn Russian language. They are full of interesting and authentic phrases as well as brilliant humor so one could delve into the Russian culture.