Understanding Capitalization and Punctuation in Russian

Key Differences in Capitalization Between Russian and English

In Russian, capitalization rules differ significantly from English. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper writing and communication.

Common Nouns Vs Proper Nouns

Unlike English, Russian does not capitalize common nouns regardless of their importance. Proper nouns, however, follow similar rules to English.

Titles and Headings

In Russian, titles and headings capitalize the first word only. Other words remain in lowercase unless they are proper nouns, contrasting with English where most words in titles are capitalized.

Punctuation Marks Used in Russian

Punctuation in Russian is quite similar to English, but there are usage nuances to be aware of.

Quotation Marks

Russian uses two types of quotation marks: « » (guillemets) and " " (English style quotes). Guillemets are mainly used in literature.

Exclamation and Question Marks

Similar to English, these marks are used to express surprise, emphasis or to pose questions. However, multiple punctuation marks, like '!!!' or '???', are less common and often considered less formal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Language learners often make capitalization mistakes due to the different rules in Russian.

Conclusion

Understanding these rules ensures accurate and professional writing in Russian. Practice consistently to get comfortable with these differences.