Signification
To promise.
Contexte culturel
In Russia, a 'handshake deal' (договорённость) backed by 'слово' is often more important than the written contract. Breaking it can ruin a reputation permanently. Children use 'Честное пионерское!' (Honest Pioneer's word) as a legacy from the Soviet era to prove they aren't lying. The concept of 'Слово' is central to the first great work of Russian literature, 'The Lay of Igor's Campaign' (Слово о полку Игореве), where 'слово' means both 'story' and 'truth'. Russian influencers often use 'Даю слово' when launching marathons or challenges to create a sense of accountability with their audience.
Drop the 'My'
Never say 'моё слово' unless you want to sound like a translated movie character. Just say 'даю слово'.
Don't Overuse It
If you give your word for everything, people will stop believing you. Save it for things that matter.
Signification
To promise.
Drop the 'My'
Never say 'моё слово' unless you want to sound like a translated movie character. Just say 'даю слово'.
Don't Overuse It
If you give your word for everything, people will stop believing you. Save it for things that matter.
The 'Merchant's Word'
Mentioning 'купеческое слово' (merchant's word) in a negotiation can be a powerful, slightly humorous way to signal extreme reliability.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'давать' or 'дать'.
Я ___ тебе слово вчера, и я его сдержу.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('yesterday'), so the past tense perfective 'дал' is required.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'I give my word to my mother.'
The recipient of the word must be in the Dative case. 'Маме' is the Dative form of 'мама'.
Match the Russian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the four primary idiomatic uses of 'слово' in this context.
In which situation would you most likely say 'Я даю вам слово'?
Choose the best context:
This phrase is for serious commitments, making it perfect for professional promises.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЯ ___ тебе слово вчера, и я его сдержу.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('yesterday'), so the past tense perfective 'дал' is required.
Choose the correct way to say 'I give my word to my mother.'
The recipient of the word must be in the Dative case. 'Маме' is the Dative form of 'мама'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the four primary idiomatic uses of 'слово' in this context.
Choose the best context:
This phrase is for serious commitments, making it perfect for professional promises.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsMostly, yes, but 'давать слово' is more solemn and personal. You 'обещать' to buy milk, but you 'давать слово' to be a better person.
Yes, 'Я дал слово' means 'I gave my word.' It's very common when explaining why you can't do something else.
There isn't a direct opposite for the act of giving, but 'нарушить слово' (to break one's word) is the opposite of keeping it.
Yes, it's acceptable in a consultative or semi-formal email to provide assurance to a client.
It's used as a filler or intensifier meaning 'Honestly' or 'I swear.' It's much more common than the full phrase.
Expressions liées
Держать слово
builds onTo keep one's word.
Честное слово
similarHonest word / Honestly.
Слово за слово
contrastOne word led to another.
Поймать на слове
relatedTo hold someone to their word.
