Russian winter (RussianDose Podcast — for people who are learning Russian)

Invierno ruso (Podcast RussianDose — para personas que están aprendiendo ruso)

俄罗斯的冬天 (RussianDose 播客 — 面向学习俄语的人)

Russischer Winter (Podcast RussianDose — für Menschen, die Russisch lernen)

Hiver russe (Podcast RussianDose — pour les personnes qui apprennent le russe)

Friends, today we're going to talk about what foreigners imagine when they think about Russia's climate and the Russian winter. Many people believe that it's always very cold in Russia, that we walk around in fur coats and hats all year round, and that we have the most severe frosts in the world.

Is that really the case? Let's find out. 

Maslenitsa (Semana de la Mantequilla) (Podcast RussianDose — para personas que están aprendiendo ruso)

谢肉节 (Ма́сленица) (RussianDose 播客 — 面向学习俄语的人)

Maslenitsa (Butterwoche) (Podcast RussianDose — für Menschen, die Russisch lernen)

Maslenitsa (Semaine du beurre) (Podcast RussianDose — pour les personnes qui apprennent le russe)

If you are listening to this episode in the middle or at the end of winter — that means it's the perfect time to talk about the most delicious, the most fun, and the most "pancake-filled" holiday in Russia. About Maslenitsa.

Do you know what blini (pancakes) are? Have you ever seen how Russians eat pancakes for a whole week? Or how they burn a huge straw effigy in the middle of the city? This is not madness, it's a tradition. Let's figure it out.

Our topic today: "Maslenitsa: Why do Russians bake mountains of pancakes and burn a straw effigy?"

Russian dacha (RussianDose Podcast — for people who are learning Russian)

Dacha rusa (Podcast RussianDose — para personas que están aprendiendo ruso)

俄罗斯达恰 (RussianDose 播客 — 面向学习俄语的人)

Russische Dacha (Podcast RussianDose — für Menschen, die Russisch lernen)

Datcha russe (Podcast RussianDose — pour les personnes qui apprennent le russe)

Today we're going to talk about a phenomenon that is impossible to imagine Russian summer without. About a place that is simultaneously paradise and hell, rest and work. We're going to talk about the Russian dacha.

If you communicate with Russians, you've probably heard:

— Where are you going for the weekend?

— To the dacha!

Or, for example, this question:

— What did you do all summer?

— I was at the dacha.

The dacha is a huge part of the Russian soul. Let's figure out what it is.

Russian banya (RussianDose Podcast — for people who are learning Russian)

Banya rusa (Podcast RussianDose — para personas que están aprendiendo ruso)

俄罗斯俄式桑拿 (RussianDose 播客 — 面向学习俄语的人)

Russische Banja (Podcast RussianDose — für Menschen, die Russisch lernen)

Bania russe (Podcast RussianDose — pour les personnes qui apprennent le russe)

Friends, today we're talking about something essential to understanding Russia — the Russian banya. If you've ever heard Russians say, "S lyogkim parom!" ("Enjoy your steam!") — or seen movies where people run out of a banya and dive into a snowdrift — that's all about the banya.

So what exactly is the Russian banya, and why do foreigners first get scared, and then fall in love with it? What does banya mean for a Russian person?

For a Russian person, the banya is much more than just washing.

Of course, we shower every day. But the banya is a ritual, it's rest, it's meeting with friends, it's a way to cleanse the body and soul — maybe even achieve some kind of zen.

Russian "avos" (RussianDose Podcast — for people who are learning Russian)

El "avos" ruso (Podcast RussianDose — para personas que están aprendiendo ruso)

俄语的“авось” (RussianDose 播客 — 面向学习俄语的人)

Das russische "Awos" (Podcast RussianDose — für Menschen, die Russisch lernen)

Le "avos" russe (Podcast RussianDose — pour les personnes qui apprennent le russe)

Our topic today: «Russian "Avos": Why do we hope for "Avos"?»

Have you ever heard the word "avos"? Maybe in jokes or from Russian friends? It's a small word, but behind it lies a whole philosophy. Today, we'll break down what it means "to rely on avos", why Russians love this word so much, and how "avos" differs from simple hope.

At the end, I'll tell you a real-life story about avos — and you'll find out whether this word helps or hinders.