three sisters
dramaturgy
russian
footnotes
This page contains more details on the Russian language footnotes in the script:
OFTEN USED WORDS
милая
mEElaya: Dear
всё равно
vsYO ravnOH: Doesn't matter
This phrase takes on an enormously important role in the script. It can also be translated as "it's all the same." Even if you don't say this phrase in Russian, look to see where that sentiment is reflected in similar words in English - it almost definitely was "всё равно" in the original Russian.
На здоровье
nah zdrOHviya: To your health
A common phrase to use when toasting.
хорошая моя
harOHshaya maYA: My good
This phrase is used as a general way to express affection.
O Боже мой
Oh bOHzjay mOY: Oh my god
This phrase is one of the ones that remains from the Russian spoken in the Orthodox Church (OCS). This means that it can be spoken with even more forward resonance and deeper vowels.
красивая
krasEEvaya: Beautiful
До свиданья
dah sveedAHnya: Goodbye for now
This phrase is commonly used and can also be translated as "til we meet again."
прощайте
proshAYtyeh: Goodbye forever
This word is less common in everyday use because it's the word you use to say goodbye to someone or something you'll never see again. As Fedotik says in our script, it's "more permanent."
дорогая
daragAYa: Sweetheart
OLGA. Twenty-eight. I’m only 28… всё хорошо, everything is good… but if I’d gotten married - if I’d been a married, stay-at-home wife - everything would have been better.
visYO haraSHO: Everything is good
CHEBUTYKIN. (Reading a newspaper as he walks) Baldness. A cure for baldness? If your hair’s falling out… два золотника нафталина… dissolve and rub it on daily.
dvAH zolOHtnika naftAHlina: Two spools of napthalene
CHEBUTYKIN. (Kisses her hands, tenderly) Птица моя белая…
petEEtsa mAYa bYElaya: My white bird
SOLYONY. In twenty-five years, you’ll already be dead. Two or three years is more likely. Even sooner if I kill you first, ангел мой.
AHnghel mOY: My angel
CHEBUTYKIN. Кто это? They’re calling me downstairs. I’ll be back up in a minute… won’t be long…
ktOH EHtuh: Who is it
ANFISA. Пойдём, батюшка Ferapont Spiridonich, пойдём.
piedYOm bahtyOOshka... piedYOm: This way, little father... this way
CHEBUTYKIN. Over the top… ну вас совсем!
noo vas sovsYEm: Well, you
ANFISA. He’s on his way. Irinushka, be a nice and polite little girl, да? (Going out) It’s already time for lunch… Господи…
dah: Yes
ghOHspodi: Lord
This phrase is one of the ones that remains from the Russian spoken in the Orthodox Church (OCS). This means that it can be spoken with even more forward resonance and deeper vowels.
CHEBUTYKIN. Pierogi? Великано!
vyelikAHna: Great
VERSHININ. I’ll take some vodka. На здоровье, ваше здоровье!
vAHshay zdrOHviya: To your health (more formal)
This phrase is very similar to "На здоровье" except that it's conjugated differently. The "здоровье" means health, and the "Ha" refers to the informal you. Therefore, "ваше" refers to the formal you. It basically functions as the "usted" form in Spanish.
ANDREY. Челуха. (He reads.) Were you ever in Moscow?
chelOOhuh: Nonsense
VERSHININ. She’s, she’s… ничтожество! She’s a petty, insignificant woman.
neeshtOHzjestvuh: Petty, insignificant
ANFISA. (Coming up to Masha) Have some tea, матушка. (To Vershinin) Have some tea, sir. Пожалуйста, I can’t remember your name…
mahtyOOshka: Little mother
puhzjAHlstuh: Excuse me
NATASHA. This morning, I said “Good morning, Bobik; good morning, милый!"
mEElee: Dear
VERSHININ. (Quietly) My wife poisoned herself again. I have to go, I’ll just slip out. It’s awful. (Kisses Masha’s hand) Милая моя, славная, хорошая женщина… I have to go.
slAHvnaya: Glorious
zjEHnshina: Woman
ANFISA. Where has he gone? I’ve just served tea… Экой какой!
EHkoy kAHkoy: What a one
CHEBUTYKIN. Нет, ангел мой. Chehartma isn’t an onion, it’s a roast mutton.
nyet, AHnghel mOY: No, angel mine
MASHA. Mещанка bitch!
mishyANka: Bourgeoisie
ANFISA. That’s what they told me. Выдумали! And there’s people in the yard, too, they’re half-naked!
vwEEdoomalee: You thought
FERAPONT. Yes. In 1812, Moscow burnt down, too. Господи мы боже, the Frenchmen were surprised!
ghOHspodi mi bOHzjeh: Oh my lord
This phrase is one of the ones that remains from the Russian spoken in the Orthodox Church (OCS). This means that it can be spoken with even more forward resonance and deeper vowels.
ANFISA. Родная моя, золотая моя, I’m struggling. I’m working away - wasting away…
rahdnAYa maYA, zolOHtaya maYA: My dear, my golden
CHEBUTYKIN. God damn it all… Черт бы всех побрал... They think I’m a doctor and can cure everything but I know absolutely nothing. I’ve forgotten everything I’ve ever known and now I remember nothing, nothing, ничего, ничего, ничего.
chAYrt vee vehsEHck pobrAHl: God damn it all
neechivO: Nothing
CHEBUTYKIN. Yes, I used to know a hell of a lot twenty-five years ago. But now - решительно ничего.
rishEEtyelna neechivO: Absolutely nothing
CHEBUTYKIN. And so did the others, just like me! Пошлость! Низость!
pOHshlost! nEEzost!: Vulgarity! Baseness!
The word "Пошлость" is a very strong word in Russian.
TUZENBACH. Stop! It’s nothing. Ну, что право...
noo schto prAHva: Well, it's true
ANDREY. My dear sisters, моя дорогая, красивая sisters! (Crying) Masha, моя сестра…
maYA sehstrUH: My sister
VERSHININ. Well, thank you for everything. Спасибо.
spasEEbuh: Thank you
VERSHININ. Let me go… It’s time. (To Olga) Bозъмите её, мне уже...
vozmEEtyeh yeYO, mney oozjAY: Take her, I already
Yes… такая история… I’m tired - exhausted - I won’t say more…
takAYa istOHriya: Such a story