• First of all, hello
In this phrasebook we already have a section on greetings in Russian (which we recommend you to visit), so here we'll see how to say a simple "hello", that we can use just before saying "me name is...". So listen and repeat:
We'll use this "hello" with strangers, old people (even if we know them) or with clients. That is, we'll use it in formal contexts.
We'll use this "hello" with friends or children. Your common sense will tell you in which other situations you can use it.
• Afterwards, our name
It's very easy to say "my name is" in Russia. We're going to see that right now, along with the question to ask someone else's name. You'll learn that there are two ways of saying "what's your name?" in Russian. We explain everything below:
In Russian (like in many other languages) there are two ways of saying "you/your": a formal and an informal one.
Use the
informal way mostly with friends and children. In any other case (strangers, clients, old people,...) use the
formal one.
And remember that you can always make use of your common sense to understand which way you should choose.
• How are you?
We understand that it's difficult to start a conversation when we don't know the language. However, it's always nice to say "how are you?", even when we don't have much to say. Besides, the answer to that question is quite easy:
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Спаси́бо, хорошо́. А у вас?
Fine, thank you. And you? (formal)
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spa-sí-ba, ha-ra-shó. a u vas?
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Спаси́бо, хорошо́. А у тебя́?
Fine, thank you. And you? (informal)
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spa-sí-ba, ha-ra-shó. a u tye-byá?
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Pay attention to this: In Russian we don't say "fine, thank you" but "thank you, fine". It's important for you to know it, so you can understand that спасибо means “thank you” and хорошо means “fine” (or "good").
• How to introduce people
• Where do you come from?
