Learning Russian: Why Imitation is Your Best Strategy

Why is word by word translation dangerous when learning a new language? Can't we assume that you can express basic ideas in the same way in your target language?

You'll soon find that even the most basic ideas may be expressed in very different ways in Russian. Do you "have" something, or "is it by you"? If you ask someone if they're cold using an English structure with Russian words, you might be asking if they're a cold, unfriendly person. And there may be times when a simple phrase may just not make sense at all.

In this video we'll look at these examples to show why "using what you know" – imitating structures you hear native speakers using – is your best strategy for sounding natural in Russian.

For over 200 videos like this one, and over 400 embedded comprehension checks, exercises, quizzes, and example sentences, visit my Russian Grammar Library Project at https://www.tips4russian.com.

For free sample lessons on verbs of motion, start at https://www.tips4russian.com/courses/...

Free sample lessons on participles: https://www.tips4russian.com/courses/...