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Start learning the most common Russian phrases

People learning RussianRussian is a fascinating and melodic language that is thought to be the most glamorous language in the world. So, why not learn a few basic Russian phrases and expressions to enhance your general knowledge and become happier in the process?

Basic Russian phrases

Привет! (Privet): Hi!

Добрый вечер! (Dobryy vecher): Good evening!

Доброй ночи! (Dobroy nochi): Good night!

Как тебя зовут? (Kak tebya zovut): What’s your name?

Добро пожаловать! (Dobro pozhalovat): Welcome!

Скажите пожалуйста, как пройти в палату? (Skazhite pozhaluysta, kak proyti v palatu): How do I get there?

Обязательно приеду к вам снова. (Obyazatelʹno priyedu k vam snova): See you next time.

До скорого! (Do skorogo!): See you soon!

Повеселимся. (Poveselimsya.): Let's have some fun.

Пока! (Poka!): Bye!

Не за что. (Ne za chto.): You're welcome

Спасибо. (Spasibo.): Thank you

Извините. (Izvinite): Excuse me

Сколько вам лет? (Skolʹko vam let): How old are you?

Мне … лет. (Mne … let.): I’m… years old.

Не волнуйтесь! (Ne volnuytesʹ): Don't worry!

Top 10 Russian phrases and sentences you need to know

We have prepared a list of common Russian expressions that will help you have a basic conversation in Russian in no time. Let's dig in!

1. Доброе утро. = Good morning.

If you find yourself in Ukraine it is always polite to say “Hi” every morning because Russian speakers are really sociable. “Good morning” in Russian is "Доброе утро".

Now enjoy being greeted by a native speaker:

Доброе утро.

2. Добрый день. = Good afternoon.

But what if it's later in the day and you want to greet someone from Saint Petersburg? Well, “Good afternoon” in Russian is "Добрый день".

Now listen to how a Russian speaker would pronounce it:

Добрый день.

3. Меня зовут Мандли. = My name is Mondly.

Let's say your name is Mondly, you are traveling to Russia and meet someone on the street. To introduce yourself you can say "Меня зовут Мандли" which means "My name is Mondly" in Russian.

Listen to how a person from Moscow would pronounce this phrase:

Меня зовут Мандли.

4. Рад познакомиться с тобой. = I'm pleased to meet you.

Now that you have introduced yourself, a Russian speaker would respond "Рада познакомиться" which means "I'm pleased to meet you" in Russian.

Listen to a native Russian speaker saying that exact sentence to you right now:

Рад познакомиться с тобой.

5. Как дела? = How are you?

At this point, it might be polite to ask the person you are having a conversation with "Как дела?" in Russian.

It’s really easy to pronounce. Here's how to say it:

Как дела?

6. Хорошо, спасибо. А у вас? = Fine, thanks. And you?

If, on the other hand, a Russian speaker asks you first how are you doing, this is how you can answer politely. Apply the unspoken rule of politeness everywhere you go and many doors shall joyously open in your path.

Here's a native speaker showing you how to say it:

Хорошо, спасибо. А у вас?

7. Я хотел бы пива. = I’d like a beer.

And because you might find yourself in a bar when visiting Russia you might have to learn how to order a beer in Russian.

Let a native Russian speaker show you how it's done:

Я хотел бы пива.

8. Прошу прощения. = I'm sorry.

There are times when what you ordered is out of stock, so a bartender might say "Прошу прощения" which means "I'm sorry" in Russian.

Listen to how it's pronounced:

Прошу прощения.

9. До скорого! = See you soon!

This is a good way of saying "See you soon" in Russian to a co-worker from Kiev that you are probably going to see the next day.

Delight your senses with a Russian speaker saying the phrase:

До скорого!

10. До свидания. = Goodbye.

Let's end with the best way to end a pleasant conversation politely. This is another way of saying "Goodbye" in Russian.

Here's how a person from Russia would pronounce it:

До свидания.

Russian phrases for specific situations

Russian landmarkAt a Restaurant or Café

Дайте, пожалуйста, меню (Dayte, pozhaluysta, menyu): May I have the menu?

Дайте мне, пожалуйста (Dayte mne, pozhaluysta): Can I please have?

Это очень вкусно. (to ochenʹ vkusno): This is delicious.

Приятного аппетита! (Priyatnogo appetita): Enjoy your meal!

Getting around

Где ресторан? (Gde restoran): Where is the restaurant?

Где метро? (Gde metro): Where is the subway?

Как доехать до вокзала? (Kak doyekhatʹ do vokzala): How do I get to the train station?

Один билет до / два билета до (Odin bilet do / dva bileta do): One ticket to/Two tickets two

Shopping

Сколько это стоит? (xSkolʹko eto stoit): How much is it?

У вас есть...? (U vas yestʹ...): Do you have...?

Помогите мне, пожалуйста! (Pomogite mne, pozhaluysta): Help me, please!