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Learn Essential Russian Vocabulary for Beginners – A1 Level visualisation

Learn Essential Russian Vocabulary for Beginners – A1 Level

Fundamental Russian Vocabulary for Beginners (A1 Level).
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When learning Russian at the A1 level (beginner), it is essential to focus on foundational vocabulary that covers everyday situations and basic communication. Here are the most important categories of words and phrases to master:

Key Vocabulary Categories

  1. Greetings and Introductions

    • Привет (Hi)
    • Здравствуйте (Hello, formal)
    • Как дела? (How are you?)
    • Меня зовут… (My name is…)
    • Очень приятно (Nice to meet you)

  2. Numbers and Time

    • Numbers: один (1), два (2), три (3), etc.
    • Days of the week: понедельник (Monday), вторник (Tuesday), etc.
    • Months: январь (January), февраль (February), etc.
    • Time expressions: сейчас (now), утро (morning), вечер (evening)

  3. Basic Nouns

    • Family: мама (mom), папа (dad), брат (brother), сестра (sister)
    • Everyday objects: стол (table), стул (chair), книга (book)
    • Food and drink: хлеб (bread), вода (water), чай (tea)

  4. Pronouns

    • Я (I), ты (you, informal), он/она/оно (he/she/it), мы (we), вы (you, formal/plural)

  5. Common Verbs

    • Быть (to be)
    • Идти/ехать (to go by foot/by transport)
    • Делать (to do/make)
    • Говорить (to speak)
    • Писать (to write)

  6. Adjectives and Adverbs

    • Colors: красный (red), синий (blue)
    • Sizes: большой (big), маленький (small)
    • Qualities: хороший (good), плохой (bad)

  7. Questions Words

    • Что? (What?)
    • Где? (Where?)
    • Когда? (When?)
    • Почему? (Why?)
    • Как? (How?)

  8. Basic Phrases for Survival

    • Спасибо! / Пожалуйста! (Thank you! / You’re welcome!)
    • Извините / Простите (Excuse me / Sorry)
    • Сколько это стоит? (How much does it cost?)
    • Я не понимаю. (I don’t understand.)
    • Повторите, пожалуйста. (Please repeat.)

  9. Prepositions and Conjunctions

    • В/на/под/над (“in,” “on,” “under,” “above”)
    • И/или/но (“and,” “or,” “but”)

  10. Expressions of Need and Ability

    • Мне нужно… (“I need…”)
    • Я могу… (“I can…”)
    • Я хочу… (“I want…”)

Learning Tips for A1 Vocabulary

  • Focus on high-frequency words used in daily life.
  • Practice with flashcards or language apps that use spaced repetition.
  • Engage in simple conversations or role-playing scenarios.
  • Use visual aids like labeled pictures to associate words with objects.

This vocabulary forms the foundation for progressing in Russian and aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ A1 level requirements 1, 3.

References

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