Here’s a collection of the most known Russian tongue-twisters, through which you can practice your pronunciation or just have fun at your friends’ attempts!
– Краб забрался на трап, и заснул крепко краб. А кальмар не дремал, краба в лапы поймал.
The crab was hurrying on the ladder, but he firmly fell asleep. But the squid did not sleep, and thus clutched the crab with his tentacles.
or a fish, even better
– Варит буква К картошку для козленка и для кошки. Кошки не едят картошку, дайте кашки ей немножко.
The letter K cooked some potatoes for the goatling and the cat. Cats do not eat potatoes, give them please a bit of porridge.
– Во лесу лозу вяжу, на возу лозу везу. Коза, лозу не лижи – Накажу!
In the woods I knitted a vine, a vine I brought on the cart. Goat, do not lick the vine – I’ll punish you!
– Карл у Клары украл кораллы, а Клара у Карла украла кларнет.
Королева Клара кавалера Карла строго карала за кражу кораллов.
Karl stole from Klara some corals, and Klara stole from Karla a clarinet.
Queen Klara harshly punished knight Karl for the theft of the corals.
– Кукушка кукушонку купила капюшон! Надел кукушонок капюшон, как в капюшоне он смешон!
The cuckoo bought his child a hood. The little cuckoo wore the hood, and how funny he looks in it!
– Ехал Грека через реку. Видит Грека в реке рак. Сунул в реку руку Грека. Рак за руку Грека — цап.
A Greek was crossing a river. The Greek saw a crab in the river. The Greek thrust a hand in the river. The crab snapped the Greek’s hand.
– Шла Саша по шоссе, несла сушку на шесте. И сосала сушку.
Sasha was walking on the road, she brought a pretzel on the pole. And she nibbled the pretzel.
– Вдвоём всё поймём и пойдём на подъём.
Together, we will understand everything and we will rise.
– Везёт Сеня Саню с Соней в санках. Санки скок! Сеню – с ног, Саню – в бок, Соню – в лоб. Все в сугроб – хлоп!
Senja brought Sanja and Sonja on the sledge. The sledge leaped! Senja – with his legs, Sanja – with her side, Sonja – with her forehead. Everyone in the snow bank: bang!
– Тощий немощный Кощей тащит ящик овощей.
Skinny, weak Koščej drags a box of vegetables.
What’s your favorite Russian tongue-twister? Let us know in the comments section below!
Read also: 5 Russian Idioms and the Stories Behind Them
Posted by Alessandro M.
Alessandro M. is currently an Intern at Liden & Denz, where he also studies Russian. He will keep you updated on cultural events, curiosities, fun facts and much more though his articles!
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