Signification
Describing weather.
Contexte culturel
The 'Heating Season' (отопительный сезон) is a major cultural topic. If it is 'холодно' before the central heating is turned on in October, everyone complains together. In Siberia, 'холодно' starts at -20°C. Anything above that might be considered 'warm' or 'normal'. Small talk about the cold is the most socially acceptable way to interact with strangers in elevators or queues. Cold is often used to symbolize a character's loneliness or the harshness of fate (e.g., in Chekhov or Dostoevsky).
The 'V' Sound
Always remember that 'сегодня' is pronounced with a 'v' sound, not a 'g' sound. It's one of the most common pronunciation mistakes!
No 'It is'
Never say 'Это сегодня холодно'. It sounds like you are pointing at a specific 'today' out of many, which is confusing.
Signification
Describing weather.
The 'V' Sound
Always remember that 'сегодня' is pronounced with a 'v' sound, not a 'g' sound. It's one of the most common pronunciation mistakes!
No 'It is'
Never say 'Это сегодня холодно'. It sounds like you are pointing at a specific 'today' out of many, which is confusing.
Small Talk
In Russia, complaining about the cold is a bonding activity. Don't be afraid to sound a bit grumpy about it!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is cold today'.
Сегодня ________.
We use the adverb 'холодно' for impersonal weather descriptions.
How do you say 'It was cold yesterday'?
Choose the correct past tense form.
In the past tense, we use the neuter form 'было' with impersonal adverbs.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Пойдём гулять? B: Нет, сегодня ________.
The speaker is giving a reason based on the weather.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are shivering at a bus stop and want to talk to someone.
This is the most natural way to start small talk in this context.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Weather Adverbs
Temperature
- • Холодно
- • Тепло
- • Жарко
- • Прохладно
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesСегодня ________.
We use the adverb 'холодно' for impersonal weather descriptions.
Choose the correct past tense form.
In the past tense, we use the neuter form 'было' with impersonal adverbs.
A: Пойдём гулять? B: Нет, сегодня ________.
The speaker is giving a reason based on the weather.
You are shivering at a bus stop and want to talk to someone.
This is the most natural way to start small talk in this context.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, the verb 'есть' (to be) is omitted in the present tense in Russian.
'Холодно' is cold, while 'прохладно' is just chilly or cool.
Use the dative: 'Мне холодно'.
It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
It's a historical remnant from the genitive case ending '-ого', which changed pronunciation over time.
No, for a drink use the adjective: 'холодный напиток'.
Add 'очень': 'Сегодня очень холодно'.
You can say 'Сегодня морозно' or 'Сегодня очень холодно'.
You can say 'Холодно сегодня', but 'Сегодня холодно' is more common.
No, that would require the adjective 'холодный'.
Expressions liées
Идёт снег
similarIt is snowing
Мороз и солнце
builds onFrost and sun
Дубак
specialized formExtreme cold (slang)
Прохладно
synonymChilly/Cool
Зябко
similarDamp-cold/Chilly
