Russian Child

[mrsannacampbell]

We have a new Russian child in our American school.
He is in kindergarden.
What is the proper word for "Good Boy" or "Good Job" in Russian?
We are trying to make his transition to complete English as easy as possible, but we are running into some road blocks.
Thank you,
Anna

[M. Henri Day]

Just to clarify your question, Anna, do you mean «Good boy !», «Good job !» as interjections, used to compliment and encourage the boy on making progress in the classroom ? We have a number of slavists on this forum, who I'm sure will be anxious and able to help you with an idiomatic phrase or two - upp till bevis, grabbar !...

Henri

PS : Welcome, by the way, to the Agora !...

[mrsannacampbell]

Yes, I am looking for happy congratulatory words.
He needs encouragement.

Anna

[gailr]

My Russian teacher rewards even near misses of grammar and pronunciation with "хорошая" or "хорошая работа".

[hah-RO-sho-yah] or [hah-RO-sho-yah ra-BO-ta] with the hah aspirated strongly and the r's rolled. As Henri noted, others on the board will be able to give you more that is suitable for a little boy.

-gailr

[mrsannacampbell]

Thank you for that. I am going to practice it and try it tomorrow! I love to see him smile!
Anna

[yurifink]

to mrsannacampbell

Good boy = Ho'roshij 'maljchik! / Molo'dec! / 'Ah-ty 'zolotce mo'jo!/ Molo'tok! / 'Radostj ty-'nasha!

Good job = 'Sdelano na-'slavu! / Molo'dec! / Ot'lichno! / 'Delo 'mastera bo'itsja!/ Pre'krasno! / Ho'roshaja ra'bota!

j= softening or y
c =ts
y =wide i
h = German ch
de = dje

[M. Henri Day]

Thanks Yuri, for coming online to help this boy and his teachers ! Transitions are always the hardest part, whether in teaching or in psychiatry or in life in general....

Henri