Russian phrasebook
Phrases in Russian with audio and video
Basic Expressions
There are some words that we can't group together in a particular topic. They are phrases that we use constantly throughout the day to say thank you, when we ask for something, when we say that we don't understand,... We also use them to ask questions like how?, when?, where? or why? You won't find it hard remembering all these words, since you'll most likely be using them very often
5 essential words:
Just using these five easy words you'll be able to have a basic conversation in Russian. You'll be able answer yes or no to simple questions, to say that you're sorry, and you'll be able to say thank you. You can't ask for more.
да
da
yes
нет
nyet
no
пожа́луйста
pa-zhá-lus-ta
please
The word пожа́луйста can be used in Russian in two different situations:
спаси́бо
spa-sí-ba
thank you
извини́те
iz-vi-ní-tye
excuse me/I'm sorry
Question words
These short words have a lot to say, since they're going to help us obtain the information we're looking for. As a good detective does, we should know how to ask questions and set our mind in motion:
что?
shto?
what?
кто?
kto?
who?
как?
kak?
how?
когда́?
kag-dá?
when?
где?
gdye?
where?
почему́?
pa-chye-mú?
why?
Selection of basic phrases
In this phrasebook you'll see that phrases are sorted out by topics. In the small list below you'll find a selection of phrases that we consider to be essential, taken from all the topics in this phrasebook. Listen carefully and repeat them:
Приве́т
pri-vyét
Hello
Informal. Only to use with friends.
Здра́вствуйте
zdrást-vuj-tye
Hello
formal
До свида́ния
da svi-dá-ni-ya
Goodbye / see you
Я не понима́ю
ya nye pa-ni-má-yu
I don't understand
Ско́лько э́то сто́ит?
skól-ka é-ta stó-it?
How much is it?
Я хоте́л бы...
ya ha-tyél by...
I'd like...
Use this phrase if you're a man
Я хоте́ла бы...
ya ha-tyé-la by...
I'd like...
Use this phrase is you're a woman
Где...?
gdye...?
Where's...?
Меня́ зову́т..
mye-nyá za-vút...?
My name is...
Как вас зову́т?
kak vas za-vút?
What's your name? (formal)
Как тебя́ зову́т?
kak tye-byá za-vút?
What's your name? (informal)
