Week 38, Lesson 75, Monday
Make a work call
At work Russians use the first name and the patronymic: А́нна Серге́евна, Ива́н Петро́вич. Add five phrases, and you can handle any work call.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Week 37, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can call an office, ask for someone politely and leave a message.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- Name and patronymic
- On the phone
Name and patronymic
A patronymic comes from the father's name. Three examples first.
| Father | Son | Daughter |
|---|---|---|
| Пётр | Петро́вич | Петро́вна |
| Серге́й | Серге́евич | Серге́евна |
| Никола́й | Никола́евич | Никола́евна |
Formal and respectful: Ива́н Петро́вич, А́нна Серге́евна. Use them with colleagues you call вы.
On the phone
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Алло́! Слу́шаю вас. | Hello? Speaking. |
| Мо́жно Ива́на Петро́вича? | May I speak to Ivan Petrovich? |
| Его́ нет на ме́сте. Перезвони́те че́рез час. | He's not at his desk. Call back in an hour. |
| Что ему́ переда́ть? — Переда́йте, что звони́л Ба́йрон. | What shall I tell him? Tell him Byron called. |
The person you ask for takes the accusative: Мо́жно А́нну Серге́евну?
4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: Patronymics
Patronymics are often shortened in speech: Петро́вич sounds like pit-RO-vich.
- Петро́вич [pit-RO-vich] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- Серге́евна [sir-GYE-yev-na] 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.
- Мо́жно …?May I speak to …?
- Его́ нет на ме́сте.He's not at his desk.
- Что ему́ переда́ть?What shall I tell him?
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
Алло́!
Hello? (on the phone)
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)Слу́шаю вас.
Speaking. How can I help?
Мо́жно Ива́на Петро́вича?
May I speak to Ivan Petrovich?
и́мя и о́тчество
first name and patronymic
Его́ нет на ме́сте.
He's not at his desk.
Перезвони́те че́рез час.
Call back in an hour.
Что ему́ переда́ть?
What shall I tell him?
Переда́йте, что звони́л …
Tell him … called.
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
- Call and ask for someone by name and patronymic, then leave a message.
Екатери́на
- Answer as a secretary and take the message.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Write how you ask for a colleague on the phone, and leave a message.
See a model answer
Мо́жно А́нну Серге́евну? Переда́йте, пожа́луйста, что звони́л Ба́йрон.
Saved as you type. It goes to Екатери́на together with Homework 75.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can call an office, ask for someone politely and leave a message.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 75 on Tuesday: phone calls.
I can call an office, ask for someone politely and leave a message.