Common Russian words Meaning in English

Saroj Jangir

Common Russian words Meaning in English

Many people in Russia's major cities speak English, especially young Russians and those in customer service professions who have immigrated from other countries to live or work in Russia. You may find yourself in a situation where the person you are talking to doesn't know a word of English, especially if you are traveling outside of the big cities or off the beaten path. With that in mind, here is a brief vocabulary guide of some words and phrases that will help you better connect with and enjoy Russian culture during your trip. In this article, we will tell you that if you are going to work or travel in Russia, then you will be able to know the meaning of common words and colloquial phrases.

Important Notes

Don't panic if you forget a word! Russian is a challenging language, but locals will usually understand you even if you have an accent.
Formal vs. Informal

In Russia, it’s customary to use formal versions when speaking to strangers, elders, or in official situations.
Pronunciation Tips:
The stressed syllable is capitalized. Example: "PoZHAlusta" (please) – stress falls on the second syllable.
The Russian "e" sounds more like "ye" in "yes", not like in "met" or "meet."
The Russian "g" is always hard, like in "garden," not like in "vegetable."
The soft sign (') at the end of a word means the final consonant should be slightly softened.

Essential Russian Phrases

Yes – Да (da)
No – Нет (nyet)
Please – Пожалуйста (poZHAlusta)
Thank you – Спасибо (spaSIbo)
You’re welcome – Не за что (ne za chto)
I'm sorry – Прошу прощения (proSHU proSHCHEniya)
Excuse me – Извините (izviNIte)
I don’t understand – Я не понимаю (YA ne poniMAyu)
I don’t speak Russian – Я не говорю по-Русски (YA ne govoryU po RUSski)
Do you speak English? – Вы говорите по-Английски? (vi govoRIte po angLIYski?)
Help me, please. – Помогите, пожалуйста. (pomoGIte, poZHAlusta)
Where is the bathroom? – Где туалет? (gde tuaLET?)
One ticket, please. – Один билет, пожалуйста. (oDIN biLYET, poZHAlusta)

Greetings and Small Talk

Hello (formal) – Здравствуйте (ZDRAstvuyte)
Hello (informal) – Привет (priVET)
Good morning – Доброе утро (dObroye Utro)
Good afternoon – Добрый день (dObriy den’)
Good evening – Добрый вечер (dObriy VEcher)
How are you? – Как дела? (kak deLA?)
I’m fine, thank you. – Хорошо, спасибо. (haraSHO, spaSIbo)
What’s your name? – Как вас/тебя зовут? (kak vas/teBYA zoVUT?)
My name is... – Меня зовут... (meNYA zoVUT...)
It’s nice to meet you. – Приятно познакомиться. (priYATno poznaKOmitsa)
Goodbye – До свидания (do sviDAniya)
Good night – Доброй ночи (DObroi NOchi)
Maybe – Может быть (MOzhet byt’)
Of course – Конечно (kaNYEshna)
No problem – Без проблем (bez probLYEM)
Good luck – Удачи (uDAchi)
Cheers! – За здоровье! (za zdaROVye!)
I like it – Мне нравится (Mne NRAvitsya)
I don’t know – Я не знаю (YA ne ZNAyu)
Be careful! – Будьте осторожны! (BUDte ostoROzhny!)
I’m lost – Я потерялся (male) / Я потерялась (female) (YA poteRYAlsya / YA poteRYAlas’)
I need help – Мне нужна помощь (Mne nuzhNA POmoshch’)

Directions

Where is...? – Где ...? (Gde...?)
Where is the metro? – Где метро? (gde meTRO?)
Where is the bus? – Где автобус? (gde avTObus?)
Is it far? – Это далеко? (eto daleKO?)
Go straight. – Идите прямо. (iDIte PRYAmo)
Turn right. – Поверните направо. (poverNIte na PRAvo)
Turn left. – Поверните налево. (poverNIte na LEvo)
Stop here, please. – Остановитесь здесь, пожалуйста. (ostanoVItes’ zdes’, poZHAlusta)
A map, please. – Карту, пожалуйста. (KARtu, poZHAlusta)
Where? – Где? (Gde?)
Here – Здесь (Zdes’)
There – Там (Tam)
Near – Близко (BLIZko)
Far – Далеко (daleKO)
Left – Налево (naLEvo)
Right – Направо (naPRAvo)
Straight ahead – Прямо (PRYAmo)
Turn – Поверните (paverNIte)
Intersection – Перекрёсток (perekRYOstok)
How do I get to…? – Как добраться до…? (Kak doBRAT’sya do…?)
Where is the nearest…? – Где ближайший…? (Gde bliZHAIshiy…?)
Which way should I go? – В какую сторону мне идти? (V kaKUyu STOronu mne iTI?)
Is it far? – Это далеко? (Eto daleKO?)
Is it close? – Это близко? (Eto BLIZko?)
Go back – Идите назад (iDIte naZAD)
Next to / Beside – Рядом (RYAdom)
In front of – Перед (PEred)
Behind – Позади (pozaDI)
Opposite / Across from – Напротив (naPROtiv)

Eating Out

Could I have the menu, please? – Можно меню, пожалуйста? (MOzhno meNU poZHAlusta?)
A table for two, please. – На двоих, пожалуйста (na dvoIH, poZHAlusta)
Chicken – Курица (KUritsa)
Beef – Говядина (goVYAdina)
Fish – Рыба (RIba)
I will have... – Я буду... (ya BUdu...)
May I have the bill, please? – Можно чек, пожалуйста? (MOzhno chek, poZHAlusta?)

Shopping

How much is it? – Сколько стоит? (skol’ko STOit?)
Can I pay? – Можно заплатить? (MOzhno zaplaTIT’?)
Can I pay by credit card? – Можно заплатить кредитной карточкой? (MOzhno zaplaTIT’ kreDItnoi KARtochkoi?)
Cash – Наличные (naLICHnie)
Bookstore – Книжный магазин (KNIzhni magaZIN)
Supermarket – Супермаркет (superMARket)
Bakery – Булочная (BUlochnaya)

Time Indications