Eat Your Words—Literally! Russian Foods You’ll Love
What’s a tastier way to learn Russian than through food? Kids love learning the names of what they eat, and Russian offers lots of fun, delicious words that are easy to say and even more fun to try.
Yummy Russian Words to Know
Here are a few popular Russian foods kids will love learning (and maybe eating!):
- борщ (borshch – beet soup)
- пельмени (pel’meni – dumplings)
- блины (blini – thin pancakes)
- компот (kompot – fruit drink)
- каша (kasha – porridge)
These words are often heard in homes, school cafeterias, and family gatherings across Russia. They’re fun to say and even more fun to taste!
Food Words in Daily Life
Try using these Russian words at your own mealtimes. Instead of saying “pancake,” say блины. Ask “Ты хочешь пельмени?” (Do you want dumplings?)
Immersing words in real-life situations makes vocabulary stick.
Apps like Dinolingo reinforce food vocabulary with playful songs, videos, and themed activities for kids aged 2–14. They’ll see and hear the words used in context, often while cartoon animals prepare a tasty meal!
Creative Activities to Try
Russian Food Day
Pick a day to make a simple Russian dish at home (like pancakes or dumplings). Practice saying the food names in Russian before, during, and after cooking.
Play Kitchen Menu
Set up a pretend Russian café. Write out a menu using Cyrillic food words, and let your child “order” in Russian. Don’t forget to say “Спасибо!” (Thank you!)
Tasting language through food makes it real, memorable, and oh-so-fun for little learners.
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