Week 66, Lesson 132, Thursday
Replies, complaints and apologies
Formal Russian can complain and apologise without losing its calm. The formulas do the diplomacy for you.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Monday, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can reply to a formal email, complain politely and apologise formally.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- Replying
- Complaining and apologising
Replying
A complaint, and the reply.
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| В отве́т на ва́ше письмо́ сообща́ю, что … | In reply to your letter, I inform you that … |
| Благодарю́ за информа́цию. | Thank you for the information. |
| Ва́ша встре́ча перенесена́ на вто́рник. | Your meeting has been moved to Tuesday. |
Complaining and apologising
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| К сожале́нию, я вы́нужден сообщи́ть о пробле́ме. | Unfortunately, I have to report a problem. |
| Прошу́ разобра́ться в ситуа́ции. | Please look into the situation. |
| Приношу́ свои́ извине́ния за заде́ржку. | Please accept my apologies for the delay. |
4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: извине́ния
Приношу́ извине́ния: iz-vi-NYE-ni-ya.
- извине́ния [iz-vi-NYE-ni-ya] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- К сожале́нию [k sa-zha-LYE-ni-yu]
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.
- в отве́т на ва́ше письмо́in reply to your letter
- К сожале́нию, …Unfortunately, …
- Приношу́ извине́ния.My apologies.
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
жа́лоба
К сожале́нию, …
Unfortunately, …
вы́нужден сообщи́ть
obliged to report
Приношу́ извине́ния.
Please accept my apologies.
заде́ржка
перенесена́
moved, rescheduled
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)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
- Complain politely about a problem, by phone.
Екатери́на
- Play the company: apologise formally and offer a solution.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Write the first sentence of a polite complaint.
See a model answer
К сожале́нию, я вы́нужден сообщи́ть, что мой зака́з не пришёл.
Saved as you type. It goes to Екатери́на together with Homework 132.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can reply to a formal email, complain politely and apologise formally.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 132 on Friday: a complaint and a reply.
I can reply to a formal email, complain politely and apologise formally.