Thread: Караул!

What is

Караул!

and

Представляешь?

Караул! - Guard!! (when you call somebody to protect yourself) Караул were soldiers on duty protecting the streets, chambers, gunpowder stores, noble people, prisoners and so on.
Night watch - ночной дозор - both like Remrand's paintings and Russian movie could be called in Russian Караул. If you shout Караул! it means you are in trouble - someone attacks you or stole your money.



Представляешь? - Can you imagine?? (like : Can you imagine anything like you have just been told?? Can you Imagine anything like that?)

Thanks!

I think караул is only used in modern speech in an ironic sense, right? I mean, espeically since there aren't any of them around, they would say милиция instead...

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

I think караул is only used in modern speech in an ironic sense, right? I mean, espeically since there aren't any of them around, they would say милиция instead...

Yeah I think it's more common to shout спасите/помогите then караул.

Nowadays this word means just "Help!".

Yes it is an old word, but I have heard at least twice people used it in it's direct meaning.
The words like Караул! or Просто караул! or Просто караул кричи! are also often used in common speaches.
Как там дела?
Да хоть караул кричи!
Means:
How does it go there?
Can't be worse! (You change the floors after the flood in your room)

http://karaul.ru