Meaning
To argue about problems in a relationship.
Cultural Background
The 'Kitchen Talk' (Кухонные разговоры). Historically, the kitchen was the only safe place for honest, deep, and often confrontational talks in Soviet times. 'Выяснять отношения' often happens late at night in a kitchen. Dostoevsky's characters are famous for intense 'выяснение отношений.' It's considered a path to spiritual truth, even if it involves suffering. Younger generations are becoming more 'Westernized' and might use terms like 'прорабатывать проблемы' (work through problems), but 'выяснять отношения' remains the dominant term for any drama. In Russian offices, 'выяснять отношения' is strictly discouraged and seen as unprofessional, more so than in some Mediterranean cultures where emotional expression is more accepted at work.
Use it for Drama
If you want to describe a 'scene' someone made, this is your go-to phrase.
Don't use with 'about'
Remember: it's 'из-за' (because of), not 'о' (about).
Meaning
To argue about problems in a relationship.
Use it for Drama
If you want to describe a 'scene' someone made, this is your go-to phrase.
Don't use with 'about'
Remember: it's 'из-за' (because of), not 'о' (about).
The Kitchen Context
Mentioning a kitchen makes this phrase feel 100% more Russian.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Они вчера весь вечер ______ отношения и в итоге расстались.
We use the imperfective 'выясняли' because the action lasted 'весь вечер' (all evening).
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural usage:
You can only 'выяснять отношения' with people, and it fits a conflict about salary.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты такая грустная? — Да вот, опять с мужем ______.
The context of being 'sad' (грустная) suggests a relationship conflict.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'Хватит выяснять отношения!'?
Reality TV is famous for constant interpersonal conflicts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesОни вчера весь вечер ______ отношения и в итоге расстались.
We use the imperfective 'выясняли' because the action lasted 'весь вечер' (all evening).
Select the natural usage:
You can only 'выяснять отношения' with people, and it fits a conflict about salary.
— Почему ты такая грустная? — Да вот, опять с мужем ______.
The context of being 'sad' (грустная) suggests a relationship conflict.
Where would you most likely hear 'Хватит выяснять отношения!'?
Reality TV is famous for constant interpersonal conflicts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It can lead to a resolution, but the process itself is usually unpleasant and tense.
Only if you are describing a personal conflict between colleagues. Don't use it for business negotiations.
'Выяснять' is the process (arguing), 'выяснить' is the act of having the talk or the result.
No, it's a standard, neutral phrase used by everyone from professors to teenagers.
Use 'поговорить по душам' instead.
It's rare, but you can say 'разбираться в себе' (to sort oneself out).
Usually no, it's verbal. But 'выяснять отношения по-мужски' often implies a fight.
Выяснение отношений.
It's usually for something more significant than where to eat dinner.
Yes, it's the most common way to describe reality show drama.
Related Phrases
разбираться
similarTo sort things out / to deal with someone.
поговорить по душам
contrastTo have a heart-to-heart talk.
качать права
specialized formTo demand one's rights aggressively.
расставить точки над i
synonymTo dot the i's and cross the t's.
