Signification
Starting to address an audience.
Contexte culturel
The 'Tamada' (toastmaster) culture in Russia and the Caucasus dictates that no one drinks until someone 'takes the word' and gives a toast. It is a highly ritualized form of speaking. The phrase is heavily associated with the 'Protokol' of Soviet meetings. Even today, Russian business meetings tend to be more formal and structured than in the US or UK. In Russian literature, 'the word' (Слово) is often capitalized and treated as a spiritual force. Taking the word is seen as a moral act. In Russian IT circles, 'взять слово' is used in 'Stand-up' meetings, showing how formal language adapts to modern agile workflows.
The 'Tamada' Rule
If you are at a Russian party, don't just start talking. Wait for a pause, look at the host, and say 'Можно мне взять слово?' to show you respect the tradition.
Don't say 'Взять пол'
Even though 'take the floor' is the English equivalent, 'пол' only means the physical floor you walk on. Stick to 'слово'.
Signification
Starting to address an audience.
The 'Tamada' Rule
If you are at a Russian party, don't just start talking. Wait for a pause, look at the host, and say 'Можно мне взять слово?' to show you respect the tradition.
Don't say 'Взять пол'
Even though 'take the floor' is the English equivalent, 'пол' only means the physical floor you walk on. Stick to 'слово'.
The Power of Silence
In Russia, once you 'take the word', people will actually stop talking and listen. Be prepared to speak for at least 30-60 seconds!
Aspect Matters
Use 'взял' (past) for what happened, and 'возьму' (future) for what you want to do right now.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'взять'.
Вчера на собрании директор ______ слово первым.
The subject 'директор' is masculine, and the context 'вчера' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
Which phrase means 'to keep a promise'?
Выберите правильный вариант:
'Держать слово' is to keep a promise, while 'взять слово' is to start speaking.
Complete the dialogue at a wedding.
Ведущий: 'Кто ещё хочет поздравить молодых?' Гость: 'Можно мне ______?'
'Взять слово' is the standard way to ask to give a toast.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Ситуация: Вы на официальной встрече и хотите начать свою презентацию.
You 'take the word' to start your presentation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Взять vs Держать
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВчера на собрании директор ______ слово первым.
The subject 'директор' is masculine, and the context 'вчера' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
Выберите правильный вариант:
'Держать слово' is to keep a promise, while 'взять слово' is to start speaking.
Ведущий: 'Кто ещё хочет поздравить молодых?' Гость: 'Можно мне ______?'
'Взять слово' is the standard way to ask to give a toast.
Ситуация: Вы на официальной встрече и хотите начать свою презентацию.
You 'take the word' to start your presentation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsMostly, yes. It's for any situation with an audience, including weddings or large family dinners, but not for a 1-on-1 chat.
'Выступить' means to give a full speech or performance. 'Взять слово' is the act of starting that speech.
No, it is always singular 'слово' in this idiom.
In a formal meeting, yes. It's better to say 'Можно мне взять слово?' first.
Use 'Я предоставляю слово...' followed by the person's name in the dative case.
No, 'to have the last word' is 'оставить последнее слово за собой'.
Only if you are describing a meeting that happened or planning a future one. It's a spoken-action phrase.
Yes, 'задвинуть речь' or 'взять микрофон' (literally take the mic).
You can say 'Извините, я потерял мысль' (Sorry, I lost my thought).
No, that's 'давать слово' (to give a word/promise).
Extremely common. You'll see it in almost every report about the Duma (Russian parliament).
Only if you are making a very formal proposal or a speech at a dinner. Otherwise, it's too stiff.
Expressions liées
Держать слово
similarTo keep a promise
Дать слово
similarTo give a promise
Предоставить слово
builds onTo give the floor to someone else
Попросить слова
specialized formTo ask for the floor
Лишиться слова
contrastTo lose the right to speak
Слово в слово
similarWord for word
