Celebrating the New Year involves certain rituals that adhere to the rules of the Russian language. Which is correct: “запах мандаринов” or “запах мандарин”? “Он был подшофе” or “под шафе”? And there is even more confusion with the stress in New Year words.
In this article, we have gathered nine of the most confusing words and expressions.
Correct: откýпорить
Incorrect: откyпо́рить
It means to pull out a cork; to open something that is sealed. The stress is placed on the “u”.
The word is derived from the verb купорить (“to seal, to cork”), which in turn comes from the term “купор” — this referred to a specialist who poured wine into barrels.
Correct: шампанское нали́то
Also correct: на́лито
Previously, the norm was strict: in the word “налито,” the stress was placed on the syllable with the letter “i” — нали́то. However, today dictionaries recognize the second variant as correct: на́лито. In the feminine forms, the stress remains stable: only on “a” (водка налитА).
Correct: быть подшофе
Incorrect: быть под шафе
Tipsy, in a state of slight intoxication; cheerful — a person подшофе.
The origin of the word is linked to the French word chauffe — “heated, warmed by alcohol.” In Russian, it is written as one word and with “o.”
Correct: пьян в стельку
Incorrect: пьян встельку
This expression is likely related to the usual position of drunk people — lying on the ground, floor, or any horizontal surface. It comes from the word “стелиться” — to spread out, that is, to lie flat. A drunk person always feels the urge to lie down, especially if they have “overdone” it with alcohol. It is important to remember that this adverb is written separately.
Correct: пить на брудершафт
Incorrect: пить на бордершафт
When a person is подшофе or в стельку, they remember about брудершафт. This word comes from the German Brüderschaft — “brotherhood.” This refers to a drinking ritual where two people, intertwining their arms, drink and then kiss. This action symbolizes mutual sympathy and respect.
Correct: запах мандаринов
Incorrect: запах мандарин
Nouns for fruits, vegetables, and other masculine nouns ending in a hard consonant require the ending “-ов”: запах мандаринов, апельсинов, бананов.
Correct: лососёвая икра
Incorrect: лосо́севая икра
The adjective “лососёвый” is derived from the word “лосось.” The stress always falls on the letter “ё.” The variant “лосОсевый” is incorrect, although common.
Correct: салат оливье, селёдка под шубой
Incorrect: салат «Оливье», «Селёдка под шубой»
Of course, the names of dishes should be highlighted in quotes, for example, salad “Зимний.”
However, the popularity of certain dishes has made them common nouns. This is what happened with оливье and селёдка под шубой. Therefore, the words are written in lowercase and without quotes.
By the way, both variants are correct: селедка and сельдь под шубой. However, сельдь is the official term, more often found on menus, while селёдка is used in colloquial speech.
Correct: Дед Мороз
Incorrect: дед Мороз, Дед-Мороз
And most importantly: when it comes to the New Year wizard, there is only one correct variant — Дед Мороз. Names and titles of fairy-tale characters must be capitalized: Красная Шапочка, Серый Волк.
At the same time, both parts decline: письмо Деду Морозу, подарки от Деда Мороза.
