Thread: Dmitri to Valya - Russian Term of Endearment needed

okay.. let's see if I understand all of this ... Way back when... you all helped my with her nickname Valya from her full name of course, Valentina. So, now you are stating that by calling her this nick, it is a term of endearment in itself? Just as Dima would be for Dmitri?

The situations in the story line that I wanted to use this "pet" type name would be ones where in English one might say something like the term "little one" so it could be if he were teasing her or if she has had a bad day and he were to try and encourage her... just a name between the two of them that he calls her, but in Russian.

See, there is not much Russian in the book and he usually only speaks it when he is thinking aloud to himself about something, like working out a problem OR a few words or phrases here or there to her. Words that no matter how long you speak another language, you might tend to say in your native tongue. SO, that is why I am looking for a term other than her name... HOWEVER, if you are all in agreement that a version of her name is the BEST answer.....

I need to start a new thread about the word list!

Originally Posted by rockzmom

okay.. let's see if I understand all of this ... Way back when... you all helped my with her nickname Valya from her full name of course, Valentina. So, now you are stating that by calling her this nick, it is a term of endearment in itself? Just as Dima would be for Dmitri?

Just to make sure that you get the things right.
Valya is not a "pet" version it is just a short version of the full name (Of course it can be pronounced with a sweet voice that can make it a "pet" version). Like Will for William or Bob for Robert.
While "Valentinka, Valen'ka, Valyusha, Valechka" are the "pet" versions (diminutive ones). Personally I would never use "Val'ka" (Валька), It doesn't sound nice to me.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

The situations in the story line that I wanted to use this "pet" type name would be ones where in English one might say something like the term "little one" so it could be if he were teasing her or if she has had a bad day and he were to try and encourage her... just a name between the two of them that he calls her, but in Russian.

In such a situation a "pet" version of the name would be certainly the best.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

See, there is not much Russian in the book and he usually only speaks it when he is thinking aloud to himself about something, like working out a problem OR a few words or phrases here or there to her. Words that no matter how long you speak another language, you might tend to say in your native tongue. SO, that is why I am looking for a term other than her name... HOWEVER, if you are all in agreement that a version of her name is the BEST answer.....

If your Dmitri had left the Russia when he was about 7 to 9 he hardly was accustomed to say any terms of endearment to a girl other then some versions of the girl's name.

Originally Posted by CoffeeCup

Personally I would never use "Val'ka" (Валька), It doesn't sound nice to me.

Come on, remember, there is no romance between them, they're just friends according to rockzmom. How would you call a girl named Valentina who is younger than you and with whom you don't have anything but friendship?

Originally Posted by Ramil

Come on, remember, there is no romance between them, they're just friends according to rockzmom. How would you call a girl named Valentina who is younger than you and with whom you don't have anything but friendship?

Maybe "Valyukha" (Валюха) .

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

Maybe "Valyukha" (Валюха) .

Originally Posted by Ramil

Come on, remember, there is no romance between them, they're just friends according to rockzmom. How would you call a girl named Valentina who is younger than you and with whom you don't have anything but friendship?

If they were the same age and wasted their time by playing football together or stealing apples from the nearest garden or painting on walls. So, yes, "Valyukha" (Валюха) or "Val'ka" (Валька) like bro to bro. But taking into account the age difference (23-16) there is rather patronizing than just bro to bro friendship. If they were a real brother and a real sister then again he could call her "Valyukha" (Валюха) or "Val'ka" (Валька). But real brother and sister have another level of relationship than just friends.