(no subject)

[upthera44.livejournal.com]

There are a couple of conversational phrases in Russian that I hear very often, but hesitate to use because I don't completely understand them. I was hoping you might verify that these are correct and explain them a bit and hopefully I'll be able to use them in the future!

1. Often when discussing plans or giving someone instructions people will say something like-- "Если что, позвони" -- to mean "If there IS A PROBLEM call me". Is this what this means? How does "что" translate as "a problem"? I always am too afraid to use this phrase (which it seems everyone uses) and instead end up saying something unnatural sounding like "Если будет проблема, позвони мне".


2. There is a phrase, something like"Что-то не то?" which seems to be a way of asking "Is something wrong?" or "Is everything ok?" Also I believe there are some similar phrases that use "не так" as well. Again I never use these seemingly rather conversational phrases because I don't understand completely-- how не так and  не то can translate into something wrong or a problem. Any explanations and examples on this would be great, thanks!

Comments

[natha1ie.livejournal.com]

You understand both sentenses quite correct.
"Если что, позвони" also can mean If there's smth interesting or smth has changed, call me. Usually
people say so right after or before saying "goodbue".

Что-то не то? and Что-то не так? are pretty the same thing IMHO (I'm a native Russian speaker).