Learning Russian language

i skipped school to watch ukraine in the 2006 world cup . yes we go to school in june =/

i can't figure out what a couple of words mean:
1. Can you use the word "rayon" when talking about a small area inside a city. There is a geographical rayon (country > oblast/krai > rayon) but is it the same as the english word "neighborhood".
2. What is a "kvartal"?

Yes, you can use "rayon" referring to a neighborhood. It's like in Manhattan there are "rayons" : Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Soho, etc.
That word can also be used in terms of approximation.

"Kvartal" means a block - something divided by streets.

I hope that makes sense...

tnx a lot

don't know if this the right spot for this comment or not well here it goes:

Why doesn't anyone ever ask for a english -> russian translation and possible ukrainian (even though I don't speak it some might). If there are some songs that are hard to understand ASK, there are people who's english is A LOT better thank their russian *hint* ME *hint* on this forum and can help out

Tim_2286, You speak russian?

sort of ... why? lol

I have a question about Russian. What is the difference between Что-то, Что нибудь, and Куие что? Not so sure about the spelling on the last one, but they are all supposed to mean "something." Same with кто-то, and кто нибудь, except those mean someone. Anyone care to explain?

1) chto-to - something
2) chto nibud' - anything
3) (koye chto?) - also means something but you already have that "something" in mind.

difference between 1 and 3:
1) I need to do someting about this (mne nado chto to zdelat' ob etom) (don't know what)
3) I have something for you (U menya est' koe chto dlya tebya) (you already know what)

for the last 3 just change -thing to -one

Originally Posted by tim2286

1) chto-to - something
2) chto nibud' - anything
3) (koye chto?) - also means something but you already have that "something" in mind.

difference between 1 and 3:
1) I need to do someting about this (mne nado chto to zdelat' ob etom) (don't know what)
3) I have something for you (U menya est' koe chto dlya tebya) (you already know what)

for the last 3 just change -thing to -one

Ya dumayu panimayu sejchas, spasibo. (Please tell me how grammatically incorrect this sentence is :/)

Ya dumayu chto ponimayu teper'. (I think that [I] understand now)
seychas = right now
teper' = now

Originally Posted by tim2286

Ya dumayu chto ponimayu teper'. (I think that [I] understand now)
seychas = right now
teper' = now

Thanks. I really wish I could speak Russian better...heh

tim2286, very cool explanation. Bravo. I'm not sure that i've been understanding these details till now

but i don't like the phrase
Ya dumayu chto ponimayu teper'

it's better to say Думаю, теперь я понял
или
Кажется, я понял
and the best
Наконец до меня дошло

it's not perfect but easy to translate and everyone will understand it

I really like the Russian language, me and my wife had an exchange student from Russia in our house, a few years ago. Now we only gotta talk thru the internet with her.
So a few Random thoughts... How do you say..

Welcome back
I am back
What are your plans for tomorrow?
I like it
"Oh dear God"
Yes, I've seen it
have a great day
say Hi to your mom and dad

with pronunciation plz

welcome back - doh-BROH poh-ZHA-loh-vat'
i am back - YA ver-NOOL-sya (male) ver-NOOL-as' (female)
I like it - MNE ETOH NRAH-vit-sya the 'e' in etoh is pronouced like AE in aetna
oh dear God - BO-zhe MOI (literally my god)
Yes, I've seen it - DAH, YA VEE-del (male) VEE-delah (female)
Say Hi, to mom and dad - ska-ZHY pree-VIET MAH-meh EE PAH-peh

The syllables in caps are stressed.
others can help out with the rest, not sure about those.

What are your plans for tomorrow? - Chto ty DE-la-esh ZA-vtra?

have a great day - xo-RO-she-go DNYA - although, it is not really common to use that phrase among Russian people.

Hope this helps

Say Hi, to mom and dad - It's better to say Передай привет родителям ( PeredAy privEt radItelyam)

roditelyam is more formal, and pape i mame is more informal. thats why i chose the second option

Thanks for the effort guys!