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1 - Name of language and language family!

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1 - Name of language and language family!

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The name of the language is Russian or "Russkij". Russian belongs to the Indo-European language family. The basic syntax structure is SVO.

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We take a look at the Russian language, from its origins in medieval Eastern Europe to its fascinating grammatical structure.

The Russian language, as beautiful as Russia itself, is the medium in which some of history's greatest writers and orators have crafted their works. Today, it is one of six languages with official status at the United Nations and is spoken by 258 million people.

Learning Russian will of course help you integrate. But it will also enable you to gain a deeper understanding of Russia's unique history and culture. Our guide to the Russian language aims to furnish you with some key information on its origins and modern-day usage, including:

What languages do people speak in Russia?

Russia is a vast and diverse country and is home to over a hundred languages. However, Russian is the only official language nationwide. It is spoken by over 142 million out of 144 million Russian citizens. Of these, 119 million say it is their first language.

A further 35 minority languages are recognized as official in their regions of origin. The largest of these include Tatar (5,3 million speakers), Bashkir (1,38 million), and Chechen (1,33 million).

Russia is also home to significant foreign-born communities, largely originating from the former USSR. As a result, languages such as Ukrainian, Uzbek, Kazakh, Armenian, and Georgian are frequently heard in major cities.

Finally, a significant number of Russians speak foreign languages. The second most widely spoken language in Russia is English, with almost 7 million speakers. German is the fifth most widely spoken language, with 2,9 million speakers. A tenth of these are native speakers.

Where the Russian language is spoken worldwide

Russian is an official language in four countries: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Over 258 million people speak Russian worldwide, making it the eighth most-spoken language in the world. While over half of those speakers reside in Russia, large Russian-speaking communities can be found elsewhere too.

Belarus

Russian is one of the two official languages of Belarus, along with Belarusian. In the 2019 census, 38.1% of Belarusians named Russian as their native language.

Ukraine

Although it is not an official language in Ukraine, the Ukrainian constitution explicitly recognizes Russian as a minority language. It is the native tongue of 22% of Ukrainians, while 29% say they predominantly speak Russian at home.

Kazakhstan

Like Belarus, Kazakhstan grants Russian the status of official language, and around 3.8 million Russian speakers live in the former Soviet republic.

Germany

There are no official statistics as to the exact size of the Russian-speaking community in Germany. However, Russian is the second most spoken language in the country, with the number of speakers estimated between 2.2 million and 3.5 million.

United States

There is a sizeable Russian-speaking community in the United States - in 2016, over 900,000 Americans reported speaking predominantly Russian at home.

Israel

An estimated 1.3 million Israeli citizens speak Russian, making it the third most-spoken language in the country after Hebrew and Arabic.

In addition, there are also Russian speakers in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Baltic states.

Origins and history of the Russian language

Russian is a member of the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic language family, along with Belarusian and Ukrainian. Like almost all European languages, it has its roots in the wider Indo-European family.

The roots of the language

Around 880, the territory of modern Ukraine, Belarus, and west Russia was unified into Kyivan Rus', and the East Slavs, who had previously spoken in a variety of closely related dialects, established Old East Slavic as a common language for the region.

Russian began to differentiate itself as a language following the breakup of Kyivan Rus' in approximately 1100. It became a distinct language in the 13 th century. The development of Russian was strongly influenced by Church Slavonic, which remained the official literary language in Moscow until the late 17 th century.

Reform of the language

Reforms introduced by Tsar Peter the Great (1682-1725) aimed to secularize the language and reverse the influence of Church Slavonic. As part of Peter's reforms, he also introduced blocks of specialized vocabulary adopted from languages of Western Europe. However, up until the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19 th century, the Russian aristocracy preferred to speak French, with Russian being predominantly the language of the common people. To this day the Russian language contains a large number of French loanwords, such as кошмар( koshmar, from cauchemar, "nightmare") and тротуар ( trotuar, from trottoir, "sidewalk").

The great poet Alexander Pushkin revolutionized the written Russian language in the early 19 th century. Pushkin rejected the archaic written grammar and vocabulary in favor of that used in the common vernacular of the time.

This made his work more accessible to his contemporaries. Russians revere Pushkin as the father of modern Russian, similar to how English speakers view Shakespeare, and his writing remains popular today.

A revolution in Russian

The most recent stage in the evolution of the Russian language came shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution, with the spelling reforms of 1918. Reforms introduced by the new Soviet government aimed to simplify Russian writing. Most notably, they dropped four letters from the alphabet. In addition, they abandoned the use of the Cyrillic hard sign (ъ) following consonants at the end of words. The latter change had the added effect of reducing the costs of typesetting and writing by about one-thirtieth.

Russian pronunciation and phonology

The Russian language alphabet is a variation of Cyrillic script. It has 33 letters, including 20 consonants, 10 vowels, one semivowel ("й", which is similar to the letter "y" in English), and two unvoiced modifiers, or "signs". The latter alters the pronunciation of a preceding consonant and/or following vowel within a word.

Five letters of the Russian alphabet - three consonants ("к", "м", and "т") and two vowels ("а" and "о") - look similar or identical to their English equivalents. Others resemble letters in Latin script but are pronounced differently. These include "х" (pronounced "kh") and "у" ("u").

Word stress is very important in Russian and is one of the things that most distinguishes it from other languages. Every word has only one stressed vowel, pronounced distinctly, whereas Russian speakers shorten other vowels within the word. Normally, the second-to-last vowel within a word is stressed. However, this is not a universal rule.

Fortunately, once you get the hang of the alphabet and word stress, Russian is almost entirely phonetic, with just a handful of exceptions. For example, the letter "г", which is usually pronounced "g", becomes an "h" sound when immediately followed by the letter "к".

Russian grammar

In Russian, every noun is either masculine, feminine, or neuter. Verbs and adjectives have different endings based on gender, case, and singular/plural.

Unlike English and German, the Russian language has no formal word order. The subject, object(s), and so on are recognizable through case endings, rather than through their position within a sentence. Russian has six cases:

Nominative - shows the subject of an action.

Accusative - shows the direct object of an action.

Prepositional - shows the location where an action takes place.

Genitive - denotes possession, and is also often used in a negation.

Dative - shows the indirect object of an action.

Instrumental - shows how an action takes place.

Although Russian has a verb "to be", rarely used in the present tense. In addition, Russian has no articles. Thus, an English sentence like "I am a student" becomes "I student" in Russian.

Dialects of the Russian language

There is surprisingly little variation in how Russian is spoken, despite the size of the country. Regardless of their location, Russians tend to speak standard Russian, with only very minor regional variations. For example, in the northern territories of European Russia, people often stress multiple syllables within a word. This differs from standard Russian pronunciation.

There is more variation among other Russian-speaking peoples. Ukrainians, for example, tend to pronounce the Russian letter "g" as an "h" sound, which is also how the letter sounds in the Ukrainian language.

Chechens often pronounce the letter "v" as a "w", as many native German speakers do when speaking English.

Many Russian-speaking Israelis speak a dialect called "Rusit", which contains a large number of Hebrew loanwords and unique expressions not found in standard Russian.

Interesting facts about the Russian language

You are probably familiar with some Russian loanwords in English, such as vodka and tsar, but there are many others. For example, mammoth, balaclava, and tundra all derive from Russian.

Along with English, Russian is one of the official languages of space. Astronauts have to learn Russian as part of their training, and computers on the International Space Station use both English and Russian. Around 7.4% of all online content is in Russian.

The name Red Square (Красная Площадь, Krasnaya Ploshchad) has no connection with communism or the USSR. The word for "red" actually derives from an archaic Russian word meaning "beautiful". There is also no single word for the color blue in the Russian language. Instead, it has numerous words for different shades of blue, the most common being голубой ( goluboy, light blue) and синий( siniy, dark blue).

And, lastly, the word царь (tsar) derives from the Latin "Caesar", which means hairy.

Learning the Russian language in Russia

If you are planning to move to Russia, learning Russian should be near the top of your to-do list. According to a 2019 poll, only 5% of Russians speak fluent English, so learning Russian will make it much easier to communicate.

Most jobs in Russia will require you to speak at least basic Russian. If you intend to seek Russian citizenship by naturalization, you will need to provide proof you can speak the language.

Fortunately, you have plenty of options.

If you thrive in a classroom environment, you could enroll in one of the many language schools dotted around the country.

Alternatively, there are numerous smartphone apps and computer programs available to help you learn Russian, including:

Finally, you may want to seek out a language exchange partner - a Russian native speaker who will help you practice your Russian in exchange for helping them practice speaking your native language.

Useful resources

Multitran - an in-depth online Russian dictionary containing both general and specialized vocabulary and idiomatic phrases.

Translit - a virtual Cyrillic keyboard with the ability to search for phrases on Google, YouTube, Wikipedia, and other popular websites.

Gramota - a Russian government-funded online resource for learning Russian grammar and vocabulary.

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The Russian language: history, grammar, and facts

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We take a look at the Russian language, from its origins in medieval Eastern Europe to its fascinating grammatical structure. The Russian language, as beautiful as Russia itself, is the medium in which some of history's greatest writers and orators have crafted their works.

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2- Where is Russian Spoken and Number of Speakers?

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2- Where is Russian Spoken and Number of Speakers?

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Russian is the official language of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. It's an unofficial language in Ukraine and multiple former Soviet countries. There are around 258 million Russian speakers around the world. There are about 153 million native speakers.

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Ever wondered just how far the Russian language has spread its roots? From Moscow to Moldova, we take a look at just how many people speak Russian in the world.

A Brief History Of The Russian Language

Like the overwhelming majority of European languages, Russian can trace its origins all the way back to its Indo-European roots. Eventually, as the Slavic tribes began to settle in eastern Europe, their language began to differentiate into what is currently considered the Proto-Slavic tongue in the Early Middle Ages, which gave rise to the Slavic family of languages.

Russian is one of the existing three main languages within the East Slavic sub-family, but it didn't emerge as its own distinct tongue until the late Middle Ages. Standard Russian (based on the Moscow dialect) became the official language in the mid-1800s. Previously, East Slavic was essentially the same as "Old Russian" - the prototype of modern-day Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian.

Where In The World Is Russian Spoken?

Russian is the official language of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and it's considered an unofficial lingua franca in Ukraine and many former Soviet countries. These include Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. There's also a notable contingent of Russian-speakers in Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, China, the United States and Israel.

Essentially, if you're anywhere in Eastern Europe, you can probably wing it with some basic Russian in your back pocket.

How Many People Speak Russian In The World?

According to Ethnologue, there are around 258 million Russian speakers in the world. This estimate is likely high, however, because it factors in many populations that are ancestrally Russian, but which might not speak the language anymore. Counting only native speakers, there are roughly 153 million.

here were roughly 166 million native Russian speakers in the world, placing it at number eight in the list of most widely spoken languages in the world. Among first languages, Russian accounts for 2.3 percent of the global population.

How Many People Speak Russian In The US?

The Russian language first touched the shores of the modern-day United States in the 18th century, when Russian explorers arrived in Alaska. Since this time, various groups of immigrants have scattered across the United States.

Today, there are roughly 900,000 Russian speakers in the United States out of our total population of 297 million, according to 2011 census data. The state of New York is home to the majority of Americans who speak Russian, with roughly 30 percent of the population. There are also over 110,000 Russian speakers in California, followed distantly by New Jersey and Illinois, which each have about 40,000 Russian speakers.

How Many People Speak Russian In Europe?

Russian is the most geographically widespread language in all of Eurasia, and it's the most popular native language in Europe. Russian speakers number roughly 138 million in Russia, followed in popularity by Ukraine (14.3 million), Belarus (6.9 million), Poland (6.9 million) and Kazakhstan (3.8 million).

All in all, there are close to 221 million Russian speakers in Europe, give or take.

How Many People Speak Russian In The Rest Of The World?

Like many European countries, Russia went through a period of colonization that led to the subjugation of people in Africa. While Russia no longer has an official presence on the continent, Africa is still home to large groups of Russian speakers. Azerbaijan could have up to 4.9 million Russian speakers, though only a small fraction of those are native speakers. Similarly, Estonia has a Russian-speaking population around 1.1 million.

Beyond that, there are populations of Russian speakers that appear all over the world because of historical immigration patterns, as well as modern political and economic reasons. Israel houses a sizable Russian-speaking population, with roughly a million Russian speakers, while nearby Turkey has around 600,000. China has up to 700,000 speakers, almost all of which speak it as a second language. Australia has up to 120,000 Russian speakers, Canada has about 530,000 and even South America has a few pockets, with about 14,000 speakers in Uruguay and maybe around 30,000 in Argentina.

How Many People Speak Russian On The Internet?

The internet is not a country, certainly, but it's worth mentioning that Russian plays an outsized role online. As of 2013, it became the second most widely used language online - used on 6 percent of all websites. That places Russian just slightly ahead of German, but significantly behind English. At this rate, you might as well strike while the iron is hot and get your Odnoklassniki account now (it's basically Facebook for Russians).

Why Learn Russian?

Well, who hasn't wanted to labor their way through War and Peace in its original form?

Besides being extremely useful for conjuring a romantic, world-weary affect, Russian remains the most important common denominator for inter-ethnic communication in Eastern Europe. Plus, as mentioned above, it's the largest native language in Europe. Period.

And even if you don't intend to visit the former Eastern Bloc anytime soon, it's still pretty cool to be able to pronounce "Raskolnikov" correctly.
This article was originally published on August 29, 2017. It has been updated to reflect newer facts and figures about the Russian language.

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How Many People Speak Russian, And Where Is It Spoken?

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Ever wondered just how far the Russian language has spread its roots? From Moscow to Moldova, we take a look at just how many people speak Russian in the world. Like the overwhelming majority of European languages, Russian can trace its origins all the way back to its Indo-European roots.

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Russian using the Cyrillic alphabet. There are 33 letters in the Russian Alphabet with 10 vowels, 21 consonants, and 2 signs.

Как тебя зовут? (Kak tebya zovut): What’s your name?
Обязательно приеду к вам снова. (Obyazatelʹno priyedu k vam snova): See you next time.
Сколько вам лет? (Skolʹko vam let): How old are you?

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Троица, tr. Troitsa, also called The Hospitality of Abraham

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Painted by Andrei Rublev in the 15th century. The "Holy Trinity" was the symbolism of spiritual unity, peace, harmony, mutual love, and humility.

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Russian folk music and dance was created in the 10th century. Russian folk songs and dances were used to celebrate holidays.

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How it’s pronounced: gavaryat, chto kur doyat
Literal translation: they say they milk chickens
Similar English idiom: ‘they say so’ is half a lie

The meaning is that people shouldn't believe everything they hear, especially if they heard someone else say it originally.

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Learning Russian stressing you out? "Don't rush the horses", "the first pancake is always a blob". Speak like a native with these 51 Russian idioms and expressions translated into English.

Russians aren't known for their humour. When it comes to Russian grammar, you can't help but laugh at its complex rules and trying to get your head around all those declinations for each case. Learning Russian can be quite challenging. At times, it's so confusing that there's no other way to express your frustration but to laugh! So, take a break and let these Russian idioms make you giggle for less stressful reasons.

Here are some common hilarious Russian idioms, their literal translations, meanings, and English equivalents.

Serious about learning Russian? Make sure you join Uncovered Russian which will take even complete beginners to a solid intermediate level al by using the power of Story Learning. Get your FREE trial of Uncovered Russian here.

1. Быть не в своей тарелке

How it's pronounced: byt' ne v svoyey tarelke
Literal translation: to be not in one's own plate
Similar English idiom: to be like a fish out of water, be out of one's element
Meaning: If you feel 'out of your own plate' or out of your element, you feel uncomfortable, maybe even embarrassed. The phrase may be used when a situation you've never been in makes you feel weird or something embarrassing has happened. But what does embarrassment have to do with plates? The fact is, this phrase has been borrowed into the Russian Language from French. In a similar French expression, the word 'assiette' is used, which can mean both 'mood, state, situation' and 'plate'. Somehow, a somewhat joking translation with the word 'plate' remained in the Russian language, instead of the more logical one.

3. Остаться с носом

7. Дойти до ручки

8. И ежу понятно

9. Ни рыба ни мясо

10. Кот наплакал

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11. Два сапога пара

14. Одной левой

15. В ус не дуть

18. Работа не волк, в лес не убежит

21. В семье не без урода

22. Дураков не сеют, не жнут, сами родятся

23. Говорят, что кур доят

24. Исподволь и ольху согнёшь

25. Первый блин всегда комом

26. Не гони лошадей!

27. Заруби ceбe на носу

28. Держи хвост пистолетом!

29. Без царя в голове

30. Валять дурака

How it's pronounced: valyat' duraka
Literal translation: lie/wag the fool
Similar English idiom: play the fool; fool around
Meaning: The meaning of this Russian idiom is pretty similar to its English counterparts: to behave foolishly, to idle around. But why is it 'lie/wag the fool'? There are at least two possible explanations. One has to do with trying to lie down a Van'ka-the-fool - a Russian tilting doll that can be laid down - and the other, with wagging small pieces of wool leftover from making valenki - Russian snow boots. Both are pointless activities, and whether the idiom originated from one or the other, the meaning doesn't change.

31. Ёлки-палки

32. Блин!

33. Заморить червячка

How it's pronounced: zamorit' chervyachka
Literal translation: to kill the worm
Similar English idiom: stay one's hunger
Meaning: This is actually not a Russian expression but a French one. The French idiom 'tuer le ver' literally means 'to kill the worm', however, its original meaning was quite different: to drink some alcohol on an empty stomach. Somehow, when it traveled from one language to another, the idiom changed its meaning to 'to eat something to satisfy one's hunger'.

34. Заложить за воротник

35. Когда рак на горе свистнет

36. Ни пуха ни пера

37. Руки не доходят

38. Делать из мухи слона

39. Без кота мышам раздолье

40. Любовь зла, полюбишь и козла

41. Что посеешь, то и пожнёшь

42. В ногах правды нет

How it's pronounced: v nogakh pravdy nyet
Literal translation: there is no truth in (your) legs
Similar English idiom: it is as cheap sitting as standing; sit down, take the weight (the load) off your feet; make yourself at homet
Meaning: This idiom is a multi-layered one. It sounds funny: why would you even look for truth in someone's legs? The meaning is a polite one: you can say this phrase when you invite a guest to sit down instead of standing. The origins of the idiom are actually quite cruel. 'Pravda' in Old Rus' meant debt and a person who owed money to a boyar (a member of the old aristocracy in Russia, next in rank to a prince) was punished by being hit on the legs with metal rods. This hardly brought desired results because after such punishment the person not only couldn't pay the debt but was also unable to work! The expression 'в ногах правды нет' was born, and the punishment was later abolished.

43. Взять себя в руки

How it's pronounced: vzyat' sebya v ruki
Literal translation: to take oneself in one's hands
Similar English idiom: to pull oneself together
Meaning: This Russian expression has a double meaning. You can say it to someone freaking out or about to have an emotional meltdown: 'возьми себя в руки', pull yourself together. It can also be used when you see someone lacking control in their life and want to motivate them to be more focused and goal-oriented.

44. Без муки нет науки

How it's pronounced: bez muki n'et nauki
Literal translation: without torture, there is no science
Similar English idiom: no pain, no gain; knowledge has bitter roots but sweet fruits
Meaning: Is science torture? Well, it might be for some, but the idea behind this idiom is slightly different: you need to work hard to achieve real results. When things are difficult for someone, this is a helpful reminder that patience and perseverance can lead to better things.

45. Подковать блоху

How it's pronounced: padkavat' blakhu
Literal translation: to shoe a flea
Meaning: This is one of the few Russian idioms that doesn't really have an English equivalent, even a rough one. It comes from a Russian tale about a man who was so skilled that he was able to put tiny horseshoes on a flea. The phrase is used when someone is really talented, especially at a craft that requires meticulous and detailed work.

46. Вешать лапшу на уши

47. Уши вянут

49. Без труда не вытащишь и рыбку из пруда

How it's pronounced: bez truda ni vytashchish' i rybku iz pruda
Literal translation: without effort, you won't pull a fish out of a pond
Similar English idiom: a cat in gloves catches no mice; no sweet without sweat
Meaning: This is yet another way of saying 'no pain, no gain' or if you're too polite or cautious, you may not get what you want. No matter in Russian or in English, things that are really worth achieving - like, say, learning a foreign language - require some effort.

51. Выпрыгивать из штанов

Over to you!

Which one of these Russian idioms is your favourite? Was it 'keep your tail up like a gun!' or ' don't rush the horses ' - the act of tenderly running your fingers through someone's hair. Share your favourites in the comments. Can you think of any other Russian idioms words? Let me know in the comments and I'll add them to the list!

Serious about learning Russian? Make sure you join Uncovered Russian which will take even complete beginners to a solid intermediate level al by using the power of Story Learning. Get your FREE trial of Uncovered Russian here.

Interested in learning Russian? Don't miss these!

Want to know more about learning languages? Start here!

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51 Hilarious Russian Idioms That Will Make You Giggle

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Russians aren't known for their humour. When it comes to Russian grammar , you can't help but laugh at its complex rules and trying to get your head around all those declinations for each case. Learning Russian can be quite challenging. At times, it's so confusing that there's no other way to express your frustration but to laugh!

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The Moscow Kremlin is the heart of the city. It used to symbolize Russian and Soviet power and authority. It also used to be a place of residency for the president of the Russian Federation since 1991.

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The Moscow Kremlin is a magnificent architectural achievement. Its monumental walls and towers, golden-domed cathedrals, and ancient palaces stand high on the Borovitskiy Hill above the Moscow River. It's an entire city within Moscow. Russian princes and tsars lived here a long time ago, but today it is the official residence of the President of Russia.

What does the word 'Kremlin' mean?

Kremlin is the Russian word for "fortress" or "citadel". Indeed, some other old Russian cities have their own Kremlin. But the Kremlin of Moscow is the one known around the world and the symbol of the Russian state.

The word "Kremlin" meant not the outer city wall but a fortress within a city. Thus, in the first 200 years of Moscow history, people referred to the Moscow fortress as "the city." Later on, the town started to grow, and more people settled outside the city wall.

The first mention of " the Kremlin" in the annals was only in 1331. At that time, the Kremlin wall served both as a fortification and a boundary between the prince's residence and ordinary city dwellers.

It was a common practice in the past to built a fortress in the middle of a town. Smolensk, Novgorod, Pskov, Astrakhan, Tobolsk, Kazan, Kolomna, Zaraisk, and many other Russian towns had their kremlins.

The History of Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin dates back to the first residents of Moscow. The founder of Moscow, Prince Yury Dolgoruky, ordered the construction of the first wooden fortress in 1156 on a site known as the town of Moscow, but the word "kremlin" was only first recorded in the 14th century.

The Kremlin we see today was constructed in the late 15th century. Moscow prince Ivan the Great dreamed of building a capital that would equal Constantinople in grandeur and importance. He called his dream the "Third Rome" and brought architects from Italy. Most of their work is still standing.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the capital was transferred to St. Petersburg, and the Kremlin ceased to be the residence of the tsars.

After the Revolution, the Bolsheviks moved the capital to Moscow and settled on the grounds of the Kremlin. Lenin, Stalin, and some members of the Soviet government lived on the territory of the Kremlin. Since Soviet times the word "kremlin" has become synonymous with "government of Russia".

Does anyone live in the Kremlin these days? In fact, yes and no. The president lives not in the Kremlin, but in his residence outside of Moscow. Kremlin serves only as an official place of work.

The Arsenal building houses the barracks of the Presidential Regiment, where the servicemen of the Presidential regiment live, however, this hardly makes the Kremlin residential. There are no classic "residential areas" where, for example, officials or just wealthy citizens would live on the territory of the fortress.

What to see in the Kremlin?

"The Kremlin deserved a journey to Moscow" is the truism penned by French traveler Marquis de Custine in the 19th century, and it is still relevant today. Don't miss your opportunity to book the tour of the Moscow Kremlin.

While planning your visit you need to think of what would you like to see. You may book different types of tickets: Kremlin grounds with cathedrals, Armory Museum, Diamond Fund, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Archeological exhibition.

Kremlin grounds

Did you know that Kremlin is the largest fortress in Europe? Walking around its vast territory of 28 hectares you'll discover ancient churches, gardens, and unusual monuments. During your walk around the Kremlin Grounds, you will see:

Cathedral Square with oldest Moscow churches

Ivan the Great's Bell Tower (outside only)

Patriarch chamber museum with restored 17th-century interiors and a curious collection of patriarch's treasures

Three main cathedrals of the late 15th - early 16th century and a Church of the Deposition of the Robe

The biggest cannon in the world known as Tsar's cannon

The biggest bell in the world referred to as Tsar's bell

Peaceful Taynitsky Garden that offers impressive views on the Cathedral Square, Moscow River, and a helipad constructed for the use of Vladimir Putin. Here you can find an oak tree planted by Yuri Gagarin and

The view (from outside!) on the presidential offices

It's important to remember that a part of the Kremlin is not accessible and is occupied by the president's offices and the barracks of the president's regiment. You can admire Kremlin walls and towers only from the outside but climbing or walking along the Kremlin wall is not allowed.

Kremlin churches

The Assumption Cathedral (1479) was the main place of worship for Moscow and the place of coronation for all the Tsars.

The gilded Cathedral of the Annunciation was a domestic royal church; it has several unique icons by Andrey Rublev.

The Cathedral of the Archangel Michael is the final resting place of the first Russian princes and tsars. You can find tombs of the first Russian rulers.

The Church of the Deposition of the Robe is a private church of the metropolitans and patriarchs. The church is surprisingly small and quiet. Among the interesting exhibits is a rare collection of wooden sculptures.

The Church of the 12 Apostles is a part of the Patriarch's Chambers. Here you'll discover a gorgeous 17th-century iconostasis and a remarkable collection of icons.

Other Museums in Moscow Kremlin

The Armoury Museum is a royal treasury. Among the must-sees are 10 Faberge Easter Eggs, Royal crowns and thrones, Coronation dresses, and the second largest in the world collection of Royal carriages. The museum is open daily except for Thursday. You need to book your visit in advance and choose a convenient session: 10 am, 12 pm, 2.30 pm, or 4.30 pm. The visit lasts 1,5 hours, but sometimes they allow you to stay a bit longer.

The Diamond Fund is a separate museum located in the same building as the Armoury. It boasts unique diamonds, rare precious stones, masterpieces of jewelry of the 18th-20th centuries, and gold and platinum nuggets. The museum is open daily except for Thursday from 10 am till 6 pm with a break from noon to 1 pm. You may book your visit online http://www.gokhran.ru/en/ however are they usually sold out quickly. You might also get tickets on the day of the tour; your chances depend on visitors' flow on the day of your visit. The museum is easy to navigate as they give you a free audio guide in English.

The Grand Kremlin Palace is the Official Residence of the Russian Federation President, which is not open to the general public. On specific dates, we organize group tours of the palace. The palace interior is impressive: you can explore the luxurious ceremonial halls of St. George. St. Andrew, St. Vladimir, as well as ancient Terem Palace and Faceted Chamber.

Ivan the Great bell tower offers amazing views of the Kremlin, but the tickets are not available in advance. You may purchase the ticket only on the day of your visit. The museum is open every day, except Thursday, with sessions at : 10:15, 11:15, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 from May 15 to 30 September. Considering that the group size is limited to 5 people, your chances to visit the bell tower are not very high.

Visiting the Kremlin

The Kremlin is included in our classic tours with our Moscow tour guide.

The Kremlin is closed on Thursdays.

The Kremlin grounds are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m in summer (May 15 to Sept 30) and from 1om am to 5 pm in the low season (Oct 1 to May 14).

The Armoury Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with four sessions starting at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

Please note that a ticket purchased online or at the Kremlin ticket office doesn't allow you to explore Kremlin with a guide. If you are willing to have a guided tour of the Kremlin, we'll need to book a visit including permission to guide.

On average a visit to the Kremlin grounds lasts 1,5 hours. Armory museum tour lasts 1 - 2 hours.

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The Moscow Kremlin is a magnificent architectural achievement. Its monumental walls and towers, golden-domed cathedrals, and ancient palaces stand high on the Borovitskiy Hill above the Moscow River. It's an entire city within Moscow. Russian princes and tsars lived here a long time ago, but today it is the official residence of the President of Russia.

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https://momsdish.com/recipe/76/pelmeni

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These Russian pelmeni are traditional dumplings stuffed with juicy ground meat, onions, and simple seasoning. Serve them on a cold winter's day with sour cream or melted butter!

Pelmeni originated from Siberia, the eastern-most region of Russia. It's no wonder my husband loves them so much! He immigrated to the US from Siberia at nine years of age and lights up with joy any time I work up the energy to make pelmeni homemade.

In this recipe, you'll learn how to make these Russian dumplings by hand or by using a special mold. In Russian, the pelmeni mold is called a "pelmenitsa". To make the process easier, you can snag one for yourself on Amazon. You'll be amazed at how much it streamlines the process!

What are Russian Pelmeni?

Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings made with a simple dough of flour, water, eggs, and salt. Typically, they are stuffed with a filling of ground pork, chicken, turkey, or beef seasoning with onions and salt and pepper. Largely considered the national dish of Russia, you will find these tasty dumplings served in homes, cafes, and fancy restaurants throughout the country.

Flavor: Mild non-leavened boiled dough is contrasted with a rich and savory filling of ground meat and onions.

Texture: The soft boiled dough is filled with a ground meat filling, making for an explosion of texture in your mouth.

Time: From prep to table, these dumplings take just under an hour and a half to make.

How to Make Pelmeni Using a Pelmeni Mold

Below, find a quick overview of how to make these traditional Russian dumplings using a specialized mold.

Roll the Dough Out: With a rolling pin, roll out a flat piece of dough and place it on a well-floured pelmeni mold. Fill each hole with the meat mixture. Next, roll out another piece of dough and lay it directly on top of the first.

Shape the Dumplings: Using a rolling pin, roll over the top dough several times until each dumpling is separated.

Flip the Mold: Flip the mold over and gently shake the raw dumplings out. Dust them with flour and freeze them for later or cook them straight away!

How to Make Pelmeni by Hand

If you don't have a mold or prefer the true classic pelmeni, find a brief overview of how to shape the dumplings by hand.

Roll the Dough Out: Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a flat piece. Next, use a circular cookie cutter to cut out small circles from the dough.

Shape the Dumplings: Top each dough circle with a spoonful of the meat mixture. Fold over the sides to create a half-moon shape. Next, pinch the pointy edges together, securing them tightly with your fingers. Dust with flour and freeze for later or boil to eat straight away!

Serving Pelmeni

Pelmeni can be served as a meal all on their own or as an appetizer dish before a traditional Russian meal of cabbage rolls and cream mushroom potatoes. They are delicious eaten plain or topped with sour cream, melted butter, and fresh dill.

Storing Pelmeni

Refrigerator: Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for up to a week.

Freezer: To freeze raw dumplings, generously coat each dumpling in flour. Place them on a baking sheet dusted with flour and pop it into the freezer for a couple of hours or until the dumplings are completely frozen. Transfer the dumplings to a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months.

FAQ

Can I pan fry pelmeni?

Like pierogi, you can finish pelmeni by pan frying them if you want a nice outer crispy. To do so, place them in a skillet with a bit of butter and fry each side until golden brown.

What is the difference between pelmeni and pierogi?

Pelmeni are meat-filled boiled dumplings while pierogi are typically boiled and pan-fried and can be filled with an assortment of sweet and savory fillings.

What are pelmeni traditionally made with?

Pelmeni are meat dumplings that are traditionally filled with ground beef, pork, or lamb.

How long does it take to make homemade pelmeni?

It takes just under an hour and a half to make homemade pelmeni.

Can you freeze cooked pelmeni?

Yes, you can freeze cooked pelmeni. To do so, first let them cool completely. Next, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the entire baking sheet in the freezer until the pelmeni are completely frozen. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook them in boiling water until they float to the top.

Other Russian Recipes to Try

Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

Pelmeni are the Russian version of dumplings. They're mostly served on cold winter days with sour cream or just butter.

Ingredients for Pelmeni Dough

Ingredients for Pelmeni Filling

Serving Pelmeni

Assemble the Pelmeni (Mold or By Hand)

Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.

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Pelmeni are the Russian version of dumplings. They're mostly served on cold winter days with sour cream or just butter.

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There are a lot of Russian words that are used in English.

pierogi - a stuffed dough dumpling, literally means "pie" in Russian

tsar - a historical term for a Russian emperor, also commonly spelled as czar, tzar, or csar in English

mammoth - an extinct ancestor of the elephant (In Siberian myths, they lived underground. In English, the word can also be used to mean “huge.”)

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Do you need a list of English words of Russian origin? Languages borrow words from each other all the time, and still do today. Let's look at some English words that have Russian roots and at the country and language of Russia.

Words of Russian Origin

Not very many English words have been taken from Russian as they have from other languages. Yet after Russia became a world power, more Russian words made their way into other languages, including English.

Here are a few words of Russian origin that you may have encountered:

Babushka: An old granny or a scarf folded diagonally and tied underneath the chin

Balaclava: Knitted hat that covers the whole face

Banya: Traditional steam bath

Beluga: A species of white whale

Blintz: A food term used to describe a thin pancake, often filled with a filling

Bolshevik: A radical or revolutionary, predecessors to the Communists in Russia

Borscht: Soup made with beets and vegetables

Commissar: A political officer responsible for providing education

Cosmonaut: A person trained in human spaceflight, the Russian term for astronaut

Dyak: Russian church worker not part of official hierarchy, short for dyachok

Elektrichka: Electric train for commuters

Kefir: A fermented milk drink similar to yogurt

Kulak: Person with liberal values and private property, seen as an opponent of the Communist Party

Gulag: Political labor camp system

Kazakh: Nomadic people of Kazakhstan

Knout: A type of whip

Kremlin: Fortress, citadel or castle, generally as a seat of power

Mammoth: An extinct ancestor of the elephant. In Siberian myths, they lived underground.

Matryoshka: Russian nested dolls

Obshchina: Peasant farmers in Russia during imperialist rule

Pavlova: Meringue dessert with fresh fruit and whipped cream

Pirogi: Stuffed dough dumpling, literally means "pie" in Russian

Pogrom: Organized massacre of an ethnic group, not to be confused with "program"

Ruble: A coin cut from a silver ingot

Samovar: A tea urn or tall pitcher that holds hot drinks

Spetsnaz: Special agents and officers of the Russian police or military

Sputnik: Series of satellites launched by the Russian space program, literally "traveling companion" in Russian

Stalinism: A form of rigid authoritarian rule under Joseph Stalin

Taiga: Swampy forest between the Siberian tundra and steppes

Troika: Three things or people working together

Tsar: Historical term for a Russian emperor, also commonly spelled as czar, tzar, or csar in English

Ukha: A type of clear fish soup

Vodka: An alcoholic drink

Facts About Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world taking up one-ninth of the total land area. It spreads over nine time zones and has many different types of weather and land forms. According to population, it also ranks ninth in the world. It has the largest forest reserves and holds one-fourth of the world's fresh water.

As far as seasons go, Russia is the coldest country in the world. Winter usually lasts four or five months, but in the north, it can last as long as 10 months. This is why so many Russians wear fur hats that cover their ears. Summers, on the other hand, are warm and sunny.

Russia is certainly a fascinating country that has lent interesting words to the English language.

List of English Words of Russian Origin

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Do you need a list of English words of Russian origin? Languages borrow words from each other all the time, and still do today. Let's look at some English words that have Russian roots and at the country and language of Russia. Not very many English words have been taken from Russian as they have from other languages.