Can I call a hired van 《маршрутка》? If not, what should I call it? Thanks

Если жизнь тебя обманет,

Жизнь, идти умирать.

If a lion could speak, we could not understand him.

Ludwig Wittgenstein wrote that "if a lion could speak, we would not be able to understand him". 

 

Meaning that the lion lives its life so different from us, that even if we could exchange words verbally, we still wouldn't be able to understand it. 

 

Sometimes I feel the same way towards people from another country, from another culture. That since our upbringing and surroundings are so different, thoughts and ideas lost in translation. Even if we could get the words right, there are still things missing in the context. 

 

 

If a lion could speak, we could not understand him.

Sometimes it is not so much the language that is new to our ears,  it's the culture and social norm.  

 

I feel frustrated.  

 

What do think?  Has any of you also feel the same way?

Is there any rule to go by concerning stress and intonation in pronunciation? Other than mesmerising them syllable by syllable for each word, is there any rule to go by?

<сейчас> и <теперь> When do I use which? Please give me some examples. Thanks.

если у меня будет время. Why do we use "будет" here?

Try my best What does "to try one's best" mean in your culture? In Britain, when someone says they are to try their best, it means they are going to stretch to their limits and give it their best shot; and see to it they get the best results. However, in China, or in Chinese community, if someone says they are to try their best (我盡量/我尽量) , don't think for one moment they are going to give you their best. No no, what they mean to say is they'll give it a try, give it a go. But don't you expect any flying colour. In fact, don't expect anything at all... Afterall, they are only... trying. So, what does it mean in your culture?

Трудно забыть то, который ты стараешься забыть.

Сейчас, прошу не думать о розрвом слоне. Скажите, о чём ты сейчас думаешь? без сомнения, о розовом слоне.