Chapter The Poisoned Princess: Glossary of Russian words and phrases
piroshki (multiple) piroshok (single) – boat-shaped baked buns filled with variety of fillings
tapochki – slippers
poleviks – mythical creatures from Russian folktales, portrayed as deformed creatures with different colored eyes and grass for hair
Nu nada zhe! – Oh my goodness
bogatyrs – knight-errants
Princessa – Princess
Dobroe utro – good morning!
babushka – the headscarf worn by older Russian women (also a term for grandmother)
Tetia – aunt, term of respect
sarafan – traditional long jumper dress worn over a blouse
Oy – exclamation of surprise or suffering
dorogaya – dear (female)
milaya – darling (female)
Moya dorogaya – my dear
Ny i tak – Oh well!
Da – yes
Nyet – No
Prastite pozhalusta – I’m so very sorry.
oladi – Russian buttermilk pancake
Spasibo bolshoye – Thank you very much
S uvazheniyem – with respect, sincerely
Gospodin – title of respect for a man, more formal than the English version of Mister
samovar – a metal container with a tap, traditionally used to heat and boil water.
Grechka – buckwheat, grain that’s very popular in Russian kitchens.
Zdrastvuite/Zdrastvui – Hello (proper way)
Mannya kasha – made of semolina, which is coarsely milled durum wheat
privet – Hi!
kissel – a Russian drink (and sometimes served as a meal) made from berries and starch.
Dobriy den – good day
leshy – a forest spirit who tricks travelers to their deaths.
Kroshka – a small crumb of bread or biscuit, also used as a term of endearment for loved ones, as in ‘sweet tiny one.’
dyadya – uncle
Zvyozdachka – little star
Sokolko/Sokol – little falcon/falcon
Dorogii moi – my dears
krasavchik – handsome
Pozdravlyaem vas – congratulations to you