Learning Belarusian can be a rewarding experience, especially if you are planning to visit Belarus or have an interest in Slavic languages. Reaching the B1 level in Belarusian means you can handle most communication in everyday situations and understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters. To help you achieve this milestone, we have compiled a list of 50 essential words you need to know for Belarusian at the B1 level.

Nouns

1. Час (chas) – Time
2. Дзень (dzen’) – Day
3. Месяц (mesyats) – Month
4. Тыдзень (tydzen’) – Week
5. Год (hod) – Year
6. Чалавек (chalavek) – Person
7. Дзіця (dzitsyá) – Child
8. Сям’я (syam’ya) – Family
9. Дом (dom) – House
10. Кватэра (kvatera) – Apartment
11. Горад (horad) – City
12. Вёска (vyoska) – Village
13. Школа (shkola) – School
14. Універсітэт (universitét) – University
15. Работа (rabota) – Work
16. Крама (krama) – Shop
17. Ежа (yezha) – Food
18. Вада (vada) – Water
19. Грошы (groshy) – Money
20. Аўтамабіль (autamabil’) – Car

Adjectives

21. Добры (dobry) – Good
22. Дрэнны (drénny) – Bad
23. Вялікі (vyalíki) – Big
24. Малы (maly) – Small
25. Цікавы (tsíkavy) – Interesting
26. Сумны (sumny) – Sad
27. Шчаслівы (shchaslìvy) – Happy
28. Новы (novy) – New
29. Стары (stary) – Old
30. Дарагі (daragì) – Expensive
31. Доўгі (dóŭgi) – Long
32. Кароткі (karotki) – Short
33. Цеплы (tséply) – Warm
34. Халодны (khalodny) – Cold
35. Зялёны (zyalóny) – Green
36. Чырвоны (chyrvony) – Red

Verbs

37. Рабіць (rabìts’) – To do
38. Гаварыць (havaryts’) – To speak
39. Пісаць (pisats’) – To write
40. Чытаць (chytats’) – To read
41. Ісці (ìstsì) – To go
42. Бачыць (bachyts’) – To see
43. Слухаць (slukhats’) – To listen
44. Жыць (zhyts’) – To live
45. Купляць (kupliats’) – To buy
46. Есці (yestsì) – To eat
47. Піць (pìts’) – To drink
48. Бегаць (begats’) – To run
49. Плыць (plyts’) – To swim
50. Вучыцца (vuchytstsa) – To study

Using These Words in Sentences

To better understand and remember these essential words, it’s helpful to see them in context. Here are some example sentences:

1. Час ідзе хутка. (Time goes quickly.)
2. Я кожны дзень хаджу на працу. (I go to work every day.)
3. У гэтым месяцы шмат працы. (There is a lot of work this month.)
4. Тыдзень мае сем дзён. (A week has seven days.)
5. Я вывучаю беларускую мову адзін год. (I have been learning Belarusian for one year.)
6. Гэта чалавек добры. (This person is good.)
7. Дзіця гуляе ў двары. (The child is playing in the yard.)
8. У мяне вялікая сям’я. (I have a big family.)
9. Наш дом знаходзіцца ў Мінску. (Our house is in Minsk.)
10. Мы жывем у новай кватэры. (We live in a new apartment.)
11. Мінск – вялікі горад. (Minsk is a big city.)
12. Мая бабуля жыве ў вёсцы. (My grandmother lives in a village.)
13. Я хаджу ў школу кожны дзень. (I go to school every day.)
14. Мой брат вучыцца ў універсітэце. (My brother studies at the university.)
15. Я люблю сваю работу. (I love my work.)
16. Мы часта ходзім у краму. (We often go to the shop.)
17. Ежа на стале. (The food is on the table.)
18. Я п’ю шмат вады. (I drink a lot of water.)
19. У мяне няма грошай. (I have no money.)
20. У мяне ёсць новы аўтамабіль. (I have a new car.)

Practice Makes Perfect

To effectively learn and internalize these words, practice regularly. Here are some tips to help you:

1. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with the Belarusian word on one side and the English translation on the other. Test yourself regularly.
2. **Labeling**: Label objects around your house with their Belarusian names. This constant exposure helps reinforce your memory.
3. **Use in Context**: Try to use these words in sentences as often as possible. Writing short stories or diary entries in Belarusian can be very effective.
4. **Language Exchange**: Find a language exchange partner who speaks Belarusian. Practicing speaking and listening will reinforce your vocabulary.
5. **Reading**: Read Belarusian texts, such as news articles, books, or blogs. Highlight the words you know and see how they are used in different contexts.

Advanced Techniques

1. **Mnemonics**: Create associations or funny stories around the words to help remember them better.
2. **Apps and Online Tools**: Use language learning apps that support Belarusian, such as Duolingo or Memrise. These often include spaced repetition systems to help you remember.
3. **Immersion**: Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Watch Belarusian TV shows, listen to Belarusian music, or follow Belarusian social media accounts.

Expanding Your Vocabulary

Once you are comfortable with these 50 essential words, continue to expand your vocabulary. Aim to learn new words daily and incorporate them into your practice routines. Consider keeping a vocabulary journal where you can write down new words and their meanings.

Understanding Grammar

In addition to vocabulary, understanding Belarusian grammar is essential for reaching the B1 level. Pay attention to how nouns are declined, verb conjugations, and the structure of sentences. Grammar exercises can be very beneficial in this regard.

Conclusion

Mastering these 50 essential words is a crucial step in achieving proficiency in Belarusian at the B1 level. Regular practice, context usage, and continuous learning will ensure that you not only remember these words but also use them effectively in conversation. Happy learning!