Russian Genders

When I was learning Russian (in Russia by non-English Speaking Russians) I was told the best way to remember the Gender of a Noun (Masculine, Feminine or Neutral) is by what it does.

Since English Nouns don't have Genders, like most other Languages do, it's hard for English-Speakers to understand.

Examples I was given (by a Female Teacher):

If the thing tends to break-down or not work when you need it to then it is Feminine like: Car/Machine (машина.)

If it always works then it is Masculine like: Husband (муж.)

If it sometimes works then it is Neutral like: Body (тело.)

Note: I asked my Teacher if Russia (Россия) – which is Feminine would break-down or not work when you need it to.  The same with Moscow (Москва.)

She looked around the Classroom as though someone else was there except Her and Me and said, in Russian: “No. Russia and Moscow always works and is the exception to the rule.”

Years later and I guess she was wrong because Russia is breaking-down and not working when you need it to – just ask the Ukrainian Farmers who are using their Tractors to destroy the Russian Occupation Forces there.

In case you really want to know how to tell the Gender of a Russian Word:

If it ends in a Consonant or the letter "й" then it is Masculine.

If it ends in "а" or "я” then it is Feminine.

If it ends in "o", "e" or "ë" then it is Neutral.

Of course as with all Languages there are exceptions to this.