Kolya vs Kalyan
Recently I've got acquainted with a guy called Kalyan (Nepalese). When he introduced himself I smiled. He also mentioned that when he introduce himself to Russians, they always laugh. And he asked me why.
Question to learners: do u see any difference between Russian names Коля (Kolya) and Колян (Kalyan)? If yes, how do u perceive it?
Question to natives: how would u explain this difference to a foreigner? (Сейчас не берем в расчет слово "кальян").
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Answers · 11
4
It's friendly forms of the name Nicholai (Nicholas).
"Kolya" is often used when referring to a child or your buddy.
"Kalyan" is informal a youth version. It sounds more cool and manly.
Commonly used among teenagers, or in friendly company of men.
example of use: "Hey Kalyan, how are you doing man?"
4
Kolyan sounds more brutal. Plus this form ends with a consonant - that makes the name more masculine. But this form is used only in a very close man-friendship...
1
Лет эдак 50 тому назад форма КАЛЯН, ТОЛЯН, ВАСЯН и пр. использовалась в молодёжной среде, среди туристов разного толка. Подчёркивалась принадлежность к клану.
1
It's possible to say Kolyan instead of Kolya but in case you know him very good and you are sort of friends. It's not polite to call stranger by this name.
0
It seems to me that Kalyan also has a great deal of negligence in meaning.
Anyways, I explained it as, "There is a name Kolya. But if u used to booze with him, u can call him Kalyan". Not sure if he understood though =)
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