Lesson 18. Russian names, patronymics and surnames

This video lesson topic is “Russian names, patronymics and surnames. You will learn how to properly address people in Russia, and you will learn how to ask about another person’s name.

In Russian, each name has both full and diminutive forms. Men’s names: Alexander (Александр) – Sasha (Саша), Dmitry (Дмитрий) – Dima (Дима), Sergey (Сергей)- Seryozha (Сережа). Female names: Anna (Анна) – Anya (Аня), Catherine (Екатерина) – Katya (Катя), Natalia (Наталья) – Natasha (Наташа). The patronymic is formed from the father name: Alexandrovich (Александрович) / Alexandrovna (Александровна), Dmitrievich (Дмитриевич)/ Dmitriyevna (Дмитриевна), Sergeyevich (Сергеевич)/ Sergeyevna (Сергеевна). Most Russian surnames have two forms (masculine and feminine). Example: Sharapov (Шарапов)- Sharapova (Шарапова).

The vocabulary for this lesson:

• имя / name, first name;
• полное имя / full name;
• отчество / patronymic name, father’s name;
• фамилия / surname, family name;
• Как вас зовут? / What’s your name?
• Меня зовут … / My name is …