Compact Russian Phrasebook: Key Phrases, Pronunciation, and TipsTraveling to Russia or meeting Russian speakers can be hugely rewarding — knowing a handful of useful phrases will make interactions smoother and more enjoyable. This compact phrasebook focuses on practical expressions, clear pronunciation guidance, and cultural tips to help you communicate confidently in common situations.
How to use this phrasebook
This guide is organized by situation: greetings, basics, asking for help, transportation, dining, shopping, emergencies, and small talk. For each phrase you’ll see:
- The English phrase.
- The Russian phrase in Cyrillic.
- A phonetic pronunciation using simple English approximations.
- Notes on usage or cultural context.
Pronunciation keys here are approximations to help beginners. Listening to native speakers (apps, videos) is the fastest way to get natural intonation.
Greetings & Basic Politeness
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Hello — Здравствуйте — ZDRAS-tvooy-tye
Use in formal situations or with people you don’t know. Shorter, informal: Privet. -
Hi / Bye — Привет — pree-VYET
Informal, for friends and young people. -
Good morning — Доброе утро — DOH-broh-yeh OO-trah
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Good afternoon — Добрый день — DOH-briy dyen’
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Good evening — Добрый вечер — DOH-briy VYE-cher
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Please — Пожалуйста — pah-ZHAHL-sta
Used both for please and you’re welcome. -
Thank you — Спасибо — spuh-SEE-buh
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You’re welcome — Пожалуйста — pah-ZHAHL-sta
Same word as “please.” -
Yes — Да — dah
-
No — Нет — nyet
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Excuse me / Sorry — Извините — eez-vee-NEE-tyeh
Formal. Informal: izvini (eez-vee-NEE).
Notes: Use polite forms (please, thank you, excuse me) often — Russians appreciate courtesy.
Introducing Yourself & Basic Questions
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My name is [Name] — Меня зовут [Name] — mee-NYA zah-VOOT [Name]
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What is your name? — Как вас зовут? — kahk vahs zah-VOOT? (formal)
Informal: Как тебя зовут? — kahk tee-BYA zah-VOOT? -
Where are you from? — Откуда вы? — aht-KOO-dah vy? (formal)
Informal: Откуда ты? — aht-KOO-dah ty? -
I am from [Country] — Я из [Country] — ya eez [Country]
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Do you speak English? — Вы говорите по-английски? — vui guh-voh-REE-tye pah-ahn-GLEE-skee? (formal)
Informal: Ты говоришь по-английски? — ty guh-voh-REE-sh’ pah-ahn-GLEE-skee? -
A little — Немного — NEMY-nuh-gah
Useful reply if you can only manage a few words.
Asking for Directions & Transportation
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Where is…? — Где…? — gdeh…?
Example: Where is the metro? — Где метро? — gdeh meh-TROH? -
How much is a ticket? — Сколько стоит билет? — SKOHL-kah STOY-it bee-LYET?
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One ticket, please — Один билет, пожалуйста — ah-DEEN bee-LYET pah-ZHAHL-sta
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Which way to the bus stop? — Как пройти к автобусной остановке? — kahk proy-TEE k ahv-TOO-snoh-ee ah-stah-NOHV-keh?
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I need a taxi — Мне нужен такси — mnye NOO-zhuhn tahk-SEE (male speaker)
Female speaker: Мне нужна такси — mnye NOO-zhna tahk-SEE -
Stop here, please — Остановите здесь, пожалуйста — ahs-tah-nah-VEE-tye zdes’ pah-ZHAHL-sta
Notes: In big cities like Moscow, use “метро” (metro) for fastest travel. Show the address written in Cyrillic to drivers to avoid confusion.
Dining & Ordering Food
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Menu, please — Меню, пожалуйста — meh-NYOO pah-ZHAHL-sta
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I would like… — Я бы хотел(а) … — ya by hah-TEHL(ah)
Male speaker: хотел (hah-TEHL). Female speaker: хотела (hah-TEH-lah). -
Check, please — Счёт, пожалуйста — shchYOT pah-ZHAHL-sta
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Is there a vegetarian option? — Есть ли вегетарианские блюда? — yest’ lee veh-geh-tah-REE-ahn-skee-yeh BLOO-dah?
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Water — Вода — vah-DAH
Still water — негазированная вода — nee-gah-zee-rah-VAHN-nah-yah vah-DAH
Sparkling — газированная вода — gah-zee-rah-VAHN-nah-yah vah-DAH
Notes: Tipping of ~10% is common in restaurants; sometimes service is included — check the bill.
Shopping & Money
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How much does this cost? — Сколько это стоит? — SKOHL-kah EH-tah STOY-it?
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Can I pay by card? — Можно картой? — MOZH-nah KAR-toy?
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Do you have a smaller/larger size? — У вас есть меньший/больший размер? — oo vahs yest’ MYEN-shiy/BOHL-shiy rahz-MYER?
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I’ll take it — Я беру это — ya BYE-roo EH-tah
Notes: Cash is still widely used; keep some rubles for small vendors, markets, and regional areas.
Emergencies & Help
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Help! — Помогите! — pah-mah-GEE-tye!
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I need a doctor — Мне нужен врач — mnye NOO-zhuhn vrach
Female speaker: нужна врач — NOO-zhna vrach -
Call the police — Позвоните в полицию — pahz-voh-NEE-tye v pah-LEE-tsee-yu
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I’m lost — Я заблудился / заблудилась — ya zah-bloo-DEE-lsya (male) / zah-bloo-DEE-las’ (female)
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Emergency number (Russia) — 112 (works across EU-style emergency services) and 103 for ambulance, 102 for police.
Notes: Keep important addresses written in Cyrillic; give them to taxi drivers or police if needed.
Small Talk & Useful Phrases
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How are you? — Как дела? — kahk dyeh-LAH?
Reply: Хорошо — khah-RAH-shoh (good) or Неплохо — nye-PLOH-khuh (not bad). -
Nice to meet you — Приятно познакомиться — pree-YAT-nuh pah-znah-KOH-meet’-sya
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I like it here — Мне здесь нравится — mnye zdes’ nrah-VEET-sya
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Can you help me? — Вы можете мне помочь? — vy MOZH-yeh-tye mnye pah-MOHT’ ?
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I don’t understand — Я не понимаю — ya nye pah-nee-MAH-yu
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Slow down, please — Помедленнее, пожалуйста — pah-MYED-len-nyyeh pah-ZHAHL-sta
Pronunciation Tips (compact)
- Stress matters. Russian has unpredictable stress; misplacing it can confuse meaning. Example: “замок” (castle) vs “замок” (lock) — different stress changes meaning.
- Consonants: Hard vs soft — a soft sign or vowel after a consonant often palatalizes it (sounds slightly like adding a “y” sound).
- Vowels: “o” is often pronounced like “a” in unstressed syllables.
- Listen and repeat — use language apps or short phrases from native speakers for rhythm and intonation.
Cultural Tips
- Use surnames with patronymics in formal settings (e.g., Ivan Petrovich) if introduced in professional or official contexts.
- Russians appreciate directness; small talk can be shorter and more substantive than in some Western cultures.
- Accepting offers of tea/food is polite; if invited to a Russian home, bringing flowers (odd number) or a small gift is customary.
- Keep personal space a bit closer than in some Western countries; handshake on meeting, kiss on the cheek only for close friends/family.
Quick-reference Mini Phrase List (cheat-sheet)
- Hello — Здравствуйте — ZDRAS-tvooy-tye
- Thank you — Спасибо — spuh-SEE-buh
- Please / You’re welcome — Пожалуйста — pah-ZHAHL-sta
- Yes / No — Да / Нет — dah / nyet
- Where is the metro? — Где метро? — gdeh meh-TROH?
- I need a taxi — Мне нужен такси — mnye NOO-zhuhn tahk-SEE
- Menu, please — Меню, пожалуйста — meh-NYOO pah-ZHAHL-sta
- Check, please — Счёт, пожалуйста — shchYOT pah-ZHAHL-sta
- Help! — Помогите! — pah-mah-GEE-tye!
This compact phrasebook gives you practical phrases for most travel situations plus pronunciation and cultural notes to avoid common pitfalls. If you want, I can convert this into a printable pocket card, an audio-ready list for practicing pronunciation, or a version targeted specifically for business or emergency use.
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