Day 120 of 150

Day 120: A Tram Driver's First Solo Shift

At a tram depot in Saint Petersburg at five in the morning, a young driver gets ready for his first shift alone, with his instructor beside him and the dispatcher on the radio.

How to study this lesson 3 steps
  1. Read the situation under the title.
  2. Read the dialogue and its translation. The audio for this lesson is coming soon.
  3. Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Russian audio, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.

Dialogue

Audio for this lesson is coming soon. For now, read the dialogue and its translation.

Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day

  1. A

    Михаил Петрович, всё проверил: тормоза, песочницу, двери. Можно выезжать?

    Mikhail Petrovich, I've checked everything: brakes, sander, doors. Can I pull out?

  2. B

    Можно, только не торопись. Первый рейс, Саня, самый коварный: тише едешь, дальше будешь.

    You can, just don't rush. The first run, Sanya, is the trickiest: slow and steady wins the race.

  3. C

    Петрович, ты своего птенца долго ещё в депо держать будешь? График у нас не резиновый.

    Petrovich, how much longer are you going to keep your fledgling in the depot? Our timetable isn't made of rubber.

  4. B

    Не ворчи, Лёша, дело святое. Саня, запомни: на стрелке перед кольцом не зевай, её, бывает, заклинивает.

    Don't grumble, Lyosha, this is sacred. Sanya, remember: stay alert at the points before the loop, they sometimes jam.

  5. A

    Понял, Михаил Петрович. А если на рельсы машина встанет, как вы рассказывали, звонить диспетчеру?

    Got it, Mikhail Petrovich. And if a car parks on the rails, like you told me about, do I call the dispatcher?

  6. C

    Звони, Санёк, я для того тут и сижу. Но сначала звонком погреми, в пять утра у нас даже машины ещё спят.

    Call, Sanyok, that's what I'm here for. But ring your bell hard first, at five in the morning even the cars here are still asleep.

  7. B

    С пассажирами не спорь, даже если прав. За тобой рельсы и график, а воспитывать народ оставь контролёрам.

    Don't argue with passengers, even if you're right. You look after the rails and the timetable, and leave the lecturing to the ticket inspectors.

  8. A

    Не спорить, не зевать, греметь звонком... Кажется, запомнил. Ну что, я поехал?

    Don't argue, stay alert, ring the bell hard... I think I've got it. Right then, shall I go?

  9. C

    С первым самостоятельным, Санёк! Петрович, тебе платочек дать или сам слёзы утрёшь?

    Happy first solo run, Sanyok! Petrovich, shall I pass you a hanky, or will you wipe your tears yourself?

Your progress is saved in this browser only, with no sign-up. The course page and the menu show where you left off. Well done! Next up: Day 121: Forty Messages About a Pram 

If this free course has helped you in your Russian journey, please consider supporting the project. It's a one-person effort, and even small contributions help keep it running and free for everyone.