Week 65, Lesson 130, Thursday
Polite formulas
Formal Russian has ready-made formulas. Use them, and you sound respectful without having to build every sentence yourself.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Monday, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can make very polite requests and use the formulas of offices and letters.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- Polite requests
- Opening and closing
Polite requests
A polite request in four steps.
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Не могли́ бы вы мне помо́чь? | Could you help me? |
| Бу́дьте добры́, переда́йте ему́ … | Would you kindly tell him … |
| Разреши́те войти́? | May I come in? |
Не могли́ бы вы + the dictionary form: бы makes it softer, a preview of Month 18.
Opening and closing
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Извини́те за беспоко́йство. | Sorry to bother you. |
| Заране́е благодарю́. | Thank you in advance. |
| Благодарю́ вас за отве́т. | Thank you for your reply. |
4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: беспоко́йство
Извини́те за беспоко́йство: bis-pa-KOY-stva.
- беспоко́йство [bis-pa-KOY-stva] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- Заране́е [za-ra-NYE-ye] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
5Phrases and words 5 minutes
Phrases to learn whole
Learn each one as a single unit, the way you would learn a word. They come back in your Daily 10.
- Бу́дьте добры́, …Would you be so kind …
- Не могли́ бы вы …?Could you …?
- Заране́е благодарю́.Thank you in advance.
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
Бу́дьте добры́, …
Would you be so kind …
Не могли́ бы вы …?
Could you …?
Извини́те за беспоко́йство.
Sorry to bother you.
Заране́е благодарю́.
Thank you in advance.
Благодарю́ вас.
Thank you (formal).
Разреши́те …
May I …
6Class exercises 15 minutes
Checked instantly. Get one wrong and you can try it again.
Role-play
Take one card each. Swap roles for a second round.
You
- Ask a receptionist for three things, very politely.
Екатери́на
- Play a strict receptionist who only answers polite requests.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Write a very polite request.
See a model answer
Извини́те за беспоко́йство. Не могли́ бы вы мне помо́чь?
Saved as you type. It goes to Екатери́на together with Homework 130.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can make very polite requests and use the formulas of offices and letters.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 130 on Friday: polite formulas.
I can make very polite requests and use the formulas of offices and letters.