Russian for English speakers School · Lesson 2

Does it take long?

Russian for duration — Сколько занимает? (How long does it take?) — time-related questions.

Conversation

  1. Bob Bob

    Ты долго собираешься в школу?

    Ty dolgo sobiraešʹsja v školu?

    Does it take long for you to get ready for the school?

  2. Rose Rose

    Нет, я быстро одеваюсь, быстро расчёсываюсь

    Net, ja bystro odevajusʹ, bystro rasčësyvajusʹ

    No, I dress up quickly, and I comb my hair quickly

  3. Bob Bob

    Мне бы так, я только чищу зубы десять минут

    Mne by tak, ja tolʹko čiŝu zuby desjatʹ minut

    I wish I were you. It takes 10 minutes for me just to brush my teeth.

  4. Rose Rose

    Тогда ты никогда не торопишься

    Togda ty nikogda ne toropišʹsja

    Then you never hurry

    Tip: In russian unlike english you do doble negative form with the word "never"

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you ask 'how long does it take?' in Russian?

Сколько занимает? Or Сколько времени занимает + activity? = 'how much time does it take?'.

What does занимать mean?

'To take (time) / occupy'. Это занимает много времени = 'this takes a lot of time'.

Russian time durations?

Минута (minute), час (hour), день (day), неделя (week), месяц (month), год (year).

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Russian lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

Next lesson in School Why did you come late? →