Week 61, Lesson 122, Thursday
St Petersburg, the northern capital
Peter the Great founded St Petersburg in 1703, on the marshes of the Neva. For two centuries it was Russia's capital, and it still calls itself the northern one.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Monday, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can describe St Petersburg and say when and by whom it was founded.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- Peter's city
- Nights and bridges
Peter's city
St Petersburg in four moments.
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Его́ основа́л Пётр Пе́рвый в 1703 году́. | Peter the Great founded it in 1703. |
| Петербу́рг был осно́ван в 1703 году́. | St Petersburg was founded in 1703. |
| Его́ называ́ют Се́верной столи́цей. | It's called the northern capital. |
был осно́ван: a short form, like музе́й откры́т. It was the capital until 1918.
Nights and bridges
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ле́том здесь бе́лые но́чи. | In summer there are white nights here. |
| Но́чью разво́дят мосты́. | At night the bridges are raised. |
| Эрмита́ж — оди́н из са́мых больши́х музе́ев ми́ра. | The Hermitage is one of the biggest museums in the world. |
4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: Петербу́рг
Петербу́рг: stress on бу, pi-tir-BURK, and г sounds like k at the end.
- Петербу́рг [pi-tir-BURK] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- Эрмита́ж [er-mi-TASH] 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.
- был осно́ван в … году́was founded in …
- Се́верная столи́цаthe northern capital
- Но́чью разво́дят мосты́.At night the bridges open.
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
Се́верная столи́ца
the northern capital
Нева́
the Neva (river)
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)на́бережная
embankment
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)мост, мосты́
bridge, bridges
дворе́ц
бе́лые но́чи
white nights
был осно́ван
was founded
разво́дят мосты́
the bridges are raised
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
- Tell Екатери́на what you'd like to see in St Petersburg, and why.
Екатери́на
- Recommend one place you didn't mention.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Write when and by whom St Petersburg was founded.
See a model answer
Петербу́рг был осно́ван в 1703 году́. Его́ основа́л Пётр Пе́рвый.
Saved as you type. It goes to Екатери́на together with Homework 122.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can describe St Petersburg and say when and by whom it was founded.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 122 on Friday: St Petersburg.
I can describe St Petersburg and say when and by whom it was founded.