Dacha

/ˈdɑtʃə/ noun

Definition

A Russian country cottage or small house, often used as a vacation home or retreat by city dwellers.

Etymology

From Russian 'дача' (dacha), which derives from the verb 'datь' meaning 'to give.' Originally, these were grants of land given by Russian nobility to their servants, hence the name. The tradition became especially popular in the Soviet era.

Kelly Says

Dachas are so important to Russian culture that they're a major part of how people survive economically during hard times—families have grown food and lived in dachas for generations, making them crucial to Russian identity beyond just vacation homes.

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