Russian Culture Vocabulary

noun a type of Russian sauna or bathhouse

• In Russia, a banya is a traditional steam bath that has been used for centuries.
• Let's go to the banya this weekend for a relaxing sauna session.
• I heard there's a new banya in town that's supposed to be really cool.
• The intense heat of the banya helped to cleanse both my body and my mind.

noun a voluntary day of unpaid work organized by a community or workplace

• The company organized a subbotnik for employees to volunteer and clean up the local park.
• Hey, are you going to the subbotnik this weekend? It's a great way to help out in the community.
• I heard there's a subbotnik happening tomorrow, wanna join and do some good?
• Participating in the subbotnik felt like a refreshing break from the usual routine, like a breath of fresh air for the soul.

noun An old woman or grandmother in Russia or Eastern Europe.

• The elderly lady wore a traditional babushka over her head.
• I found a cute babushka at the flea market.
• Check out that stylish babushka she's wearing!
• She wrapped herself in a babushka of memories from her homeland.