Привет, Русский! Learn Russian — Привет means hello! Ep 17 · May 2, 2026

Date: May 02, 2026 Theme: Space

Vocabulary List (8-12 words/phrases): - Russian (Cyrillic): Космос Transliteration: KOS-mos English: space Example sentence: Мы изучаем космос. Example translation: We study space. Memory hook: It sounds just like the English word "cosmos"!

• Russian (Cyrillic): Звезда Transliteration: zvez-DA English: star Example sentence: Посмотри на эту звезду! Example translation: Look at this star! Memory hook: "Zvezda" shines bright like a star in the night sky.

• Russian (Cyrillic): Луна Transliteration: loo-NA English: moon Example sentence: Луна круглая сегодня. Example translation: The moon is round today. Memory hook: Like "lunar" in English for anything to do with the moon.

• Russian (Cyrillic): Солнце Transliteration: SOL-ntse English: sun Example sentence: Солнце светит ярко. Example translation: The sun shines brightly. Memory hook: "Sol" is the start of "solar," like solar power from the sun.

• Russian (Cyrillic): Ракета Transliteration: ra-KYE-ta English: rocket Example sentence: Ракета летит высоко. Example translation: The rocket flies high. Memory hook: Sounds almost exactly like the English word "rocket"!

• Russian (Cyrillic): Космонавт Transliteration: kos-mo-NAV T English: cosmonaut Example sentence: Космонавт в космосе. Example translation: The cosmonaut is in space. Memory hook: "Cosmo" from cosmos plus "naut" like a sailor of the stars.

• Russian (Cyrillic): Планета Transliteration: pla-NYE-ta English: planet Example sentence: Земля - наша планета. Example translation: Earth is our planet. Memory hook: Exactly the same as the English word "planet"!

• Russian (Cyrillic): Земля Transliteration: zye-MLYA English: Earth Example sentence: Мы живём на Земле. Example translation: We live on Earth. Memory hook: "Zemlya" also means land or soil, the ground we stand on.

• Russian (Cyrillic): Спутник Transliteration: SPOOT-neek English: satellite Example sentence: Спутник летает вокруг Земли. Example translation: The satellite flies around the Earth. Memory hook: It means "companion" or travel buddy!

Grammar Spotlight: In Russian, when we talk about being "in" or "on" a place like space, the word often changes its ending to show location. This is a simple way to say where something is. For example: в космосе (in space), на Луне (on the moon), and вокруг Земли (around the Earth). In English, we just add words like "in," "on," or "around" without changing the main word. In Russian, it's like the word puts on a special ending "hat" to show it's about location!

Word Origins — Deep Dive: Спутник Did you know that the Russian word "спутник" gave English the word "Sputnik"? They are actually the same word! This word started in Russian meaning "companion" or "fellow traveler" – someone who travels with you. It became famous in 1957 when the first artificial satellite was launched into space and named "Sputnik 1," so the whole world borrowed the word for satellites. But be careful — in Russian, "спутник" can also just mean a friend or travel buddy, not only a space satellite! Next time you see a satellite or hear "Sputnik," remember it's from the Russian word for "companion" — your secret shortcut to remembering that satellites are like Earth's traveling companions in space.

Cultural Corner: Russia has a long and exciting history with space exploration. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to travel into space as a cosmonaut. Russian cosmonauts still work on the International Space Station today, exploring the stars alongside people from many countries.

Practice Challenge: For kids: Let's play "Space Explorer"! Draw the sun, moon, stars, and planets on a big piece of paper. As you draw each one, say the Russian word out loud: "Солнце!" for sun, "Луна!" for moon, "Звезда!" for star, and "Планета!" for planet. Then make up a fun story about flying in a "ракета" to visit them all!

For adults: Try this real-life practice: Imagine planning a space adventure. Say out loud: "Я хочу полететь в космос на ракете к Луне." (I want to fly to space on a rocket to the Moon.) Repeat it three times, then change it to visit a different "планета" like Mars!