Significado
Confiding a secret or private opinion.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is deeply linked to the concept of 'kitchen culture' from the Soviet era, where the kitchen was the only safe place for honest talk. In many Russian-speaking business cultures, this phrase is used to build 'informal' bridges between partners before signing a formal deal. Authors use this phrase to give readers a 'privileged' look into a character's true feelings, creating dramatic irony. In Russian Telegram channels, this phrase is often used (sometimes ironically) to introduce 'leaked' information or rumors.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma after the phrase if it starts the sentence, or surround it with commas if it's in the middle.
Don't Overuse
If you say this too much, you'll sound like a gossip or someone who is being unnecessarily dramatic.
Significado
Confiding a secret or private opinion.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma after the phrase if it starts the sentence, or surround it with commas if it's in the middle.
Don't Overuse
If you say this too much, you'll sound like a gossip or someone who is being unnecessarily dramatic.
Softening Blows
Use this phrase before giving negative feedback to a friend to show that you are on their side.
Eye Contact
When saying this, lean in slightly and lower your voice to match the cultural expectation of a 'secret' talk.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Между нами ________, мне не нравится этот подарок.
The fixed idiom always uses the gerund 'говоря'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Select the correct option:
'Между' requires the instrumental 'нами', and the phrase requires the gerund 'говоря'.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'Между нами говоря'?
It is an informal phrase used for sharing secrets or private opinions.
Complete the dialogue.
А: Тебе понравился ужин? Б: ________, мясо было слишком солёным.
The speaker is sharing a critical private opinion, making this the perfect fit.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosМежду нами ________, мне не нравится этот подарок.
The fixed idiom always uses the gerund 'говоря'.
Select the correct option:
'Между' requires the instrumental 'нами', and the phrase requires the gerund 'говоря'.
Where would you most likely hear 'Между нами говоря'?
It is an informal phrase used for sharing secrets or private opinions.
А: Тебе понравился ужин? Б: ________, мясо было слишком солёным.
The speaker is sharing a critical private opinion, making this the perfect fit.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but only if you have a friendly, informal relationship. In a strictly formal setting, it's better to avoid it.
It is always 'говоря'. The reflexive '-сь' is never used here.
No. The phrase is a fixed idiom. You can say 'Между вами' to mean 'between you guys', but not with 'говоря'.
Not at all. It is used daily by Russians of all ages, from teenagers to the elderly.
Not necessarily a 'deep' secret, but always a 'private' opinion or something not for the general public.
'Честно говоря' means 'honestly speaking'. It focuses on truth, while 'Между нами говоря' focuses on privacy.
Yes, it's very common in texts. You can even shorten it to 'Между нами'.
Because the preposition 'между' requires the Instrumental case when indicating a relationship between entities.
Younger people might say 'Чисто по секрету' or just 'Между нами'.
Yes, but it's less common. 'Он дурак, между нами говоря.'
Frases relacionadas
По секрету
synonymIn secret
С глазу на глаз
similarEye to eye / Privately
Откровенно говоря
similarFrankly speaking
Мягко говоря
builds onTo put it mildly
