Week 58, Lesson 116, Friday
Disagree without offending
Russians can be direct, but a polite disagreement opens softly: я понимаю, но …, мне кажется …, не совсем. Then weigh both sides.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Monday, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can disagree politely, weigh both sides and suggest a compromise.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- Softeners
- Both sides
Softeners
A polite disagreement in four steps.
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Я понимаю, но … | I understand, but … |
| Возможно, вы правы, но … | Possibly you're right, but … |
| Мне кажется, что это не совсем так. | It seems to me that's not quite so. |
Both sides
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| С одной стороны, работать из дома удобно. | On the one hand, working from home is convenient. |
| С другой стороны, не хватает общения. | On the other hand, there isn't enough contact with people. |
| Может быть, лучше два дня дома и три в офисе? | Maybe two days at home and three in the office is best? |
4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: стороны́
с одно́й стороны́: the stress falls on the last syllable, sta-ra-NY.
- стороны́ [sta-ra-NY] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- обще́ния [ap-SHCHE-ni-ya] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
5Phrases and words 5 minutes
Phrases to learn whole
Learn each one as a single unit, the way you would learn a word. They come back in your Daily 10.
- Я понима́ю, но …I understand, but …
- с одно́й стороны́ …on the one hand …
- Мо́жет быть, лу́чше …?Maybe it's better to …?
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
Я понима́ю, но …
I understand, but …
не совсе́м
not quite
Возмо́жно, но …
Possibly, but …
с одно́й стороны́
on the one hand
с друго́й стороны́
on the other hand
не хвата́ет обще́ния
there isn't enough contact with people
6Class exercises 15 minutes
Checked instantly. Get one wrong and you can try it again.
Role-play
Take one card each. Swap roles for a second round.
You
- Disagree politely, weigh both sides, and propose a compromise.
Ника
- Hold the opposite view until you find the compromise.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Disagree politely in two sentences, with both sides.
See a model answer
Я понимаю, но мне кажется, что это не совсем так. С одной стороны, удобно, с другой — не хватает общения.
Saved as you type. It goes to Ника together with Homework 116.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can disagree politely, weigh both sides and suggest a compromise.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 116 on Monday: a polite disagreement.
I can disagree politely, weigh both sides and suggest a compromise.