Learn Russian: Всю посуду здесь расписывают по-современному. - All the dishes here are painted in a modern way.

It is derived from the adjective современный (modern). To form an adverb of manner meaning 'in a certain style or way', you add the prefix по- and use the dative masculine/neuter adjective ending, which in this case is -ому.

Why is the English translation 'all the dishes' plural, but the Russian phrase всю посуду uses singular endings?

The word посуда is a collective noun in Russian referring to tableware, dishes, or crockery as a whole. It is always grammatically singular and feminine, which is why it takes the feminine accusative singular modifier всю rather than a plural form.

The verb расписывают is in the 'they' form. Why is there no subject like они (they) in the sentence?

This is an indefinite-personal construction. By using the third-person plural verb without a subject, Russian expresses a general action where the exact people doing it are unimportant or unknown. English usually handles this with the passive voice, translated here as 'are painted'.

The verb расписывают looks related to писать (to write). How does its meaning change here?

While the root is the same, adding the prefix рас- creates the verb расписывать (imperfective) or расписать (perfective), which specifically means to decorate something with painted patterns or designs, such as ceramics, walls, or tableware.