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Top 50 Phrases in Russian
Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so we include both script and romanization for every phrase. Native audio helps you hear the correct pronunciation.
Practice in the LingoSwipe App →Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, romanization, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
👋 Приветствия — Greetings & Goodbyes
1.
Здравствуйте.
Zdravstvuyte.
Hello. (Formal)
The first В in Здравствуйте is typically silent — it sounds like Zdrastvuyte in natural speech.
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2.
Привет!
Privet!
Hi! (Casual)
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3.
До свидания.
Do svidaniya.
Goodbye. (Formal)
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4.
Пока!
Poka!
Bye! (Casual)
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5.
Как дела?
Kak dela?
How are you? (Casual)
Russians tend to answer 'how are you' honestly — be prepared for a real answer, not just 'fine'.
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6.
Как вы поживаете?
Kak vy pozhivayete?
How are you? (Formal)
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7.
Очень приятно.
Ochen priyatno.
Very pleased to meet you.
Russians typically do not smile at strangers — it is not rudeness, just cultural difference. Warmth comes once you are introduced.
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8.
До встречи!
Do vstrechi!
See you soon! / Until we meet again!
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9.
Спокойной ночи.
Spokoynoy nochi.
Good night.
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10.
Добро пожаловать!
Dobro pozhalovat!
Welcome!
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🙏 Вежливость — Essential Politeness
11.
Спасибо.
Spasibo.
Thank you.
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12.
Большое спасибо.
Bolshoye spasibo.
Thank you very much.
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13.
Пожалуйста.
Pozhaluysta.
Please. / You're welcome. / Here you go.
Пожалуйста means please, you're welcome, and here you go — all in one word.
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14.
Извините.
Izvinite.
Excuse me. / I'm sorry.
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15.
Да.
Da.
Yes.
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16.
Нет.
Net.
No.
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17.
Я не понимаю.
Ya ne ponimayu.
I don't understand.
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18.
Говорите помедленнее, пожалуйста.
Govorite pomedlenneye, pozhaluysta.
Please speak more slowly.
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19.
Хорошо.
Khorosho.
Good. / OK. / Fine.
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20.
Конечно!
Konechno!
Of course! / Certainly!
The ч in конечно is pronounced ш — it sounds like koneshno, not konechno.
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🗺️ В городе — Getting Around
21.
Вы говорите по-английски?
Vy govorite po-angliyski?
Do you speak English?
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22.
Где находится...?
Gde nakhoditsya...?
Where is...?
Moscow's metro is world-famous for its stunning architecture — each station is like an art gallery.
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23.
Сколько стоит?
Skolko stoit?
How much does it cost?
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24.
Я хотел бы...
Ya khotel by...
I would like...
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25.
Счёт, пожалуйста.
Shchot, pozhaluysta.
The bill, please.
Tipping around 10% is appreciated in Russian restaurants but not always expected.
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26.
Я заблудился.
Ya zabludilsya.
I am lost.
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27.
Я учу русский язык.
Ya uchu russkiy yazyk.
I am learning Russian.
Russians are particularly impressed when foreigners learn their language — it is considered very difficult and the effort is deeply appreciated.
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28.
Помогите!
Pomogite!
Help!
Emergency numbers in Russia: 112 universal · Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101.
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29.
Позвоните в скорую!
Pozvonite v skoruyu!
Call an ambulance!
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30.
Можно мне...?
Mozhno mne...?
May I have...? / Is it OK if...?
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🥟 Еда и напитки — Food & Drink
31.
Чай, пожалуйста.
Chay, pozhaluysta.
Tea, please.
Always accept tea when offered in a Russian home — refusing is considered impolite.
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32.
Приятного аппетита!
Priyatnogo appetita!
Enjoy your meal!
Russian hosts pile plates high and keep offering more — politely accepting a little is appreciated.
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33.
Очень вкусно!
Ochen vkusno!
Very delicious!
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34.
За здоровье!
Za zdorovye!
Cheers! / To health!
Never pour your own drink at a Russian table — wait for someone else to pour for you.
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35.
Я не пью алкоголь.
Ya ne pyu alkogol.
I don't drink alcohol.
Having a health reason for not drinking — по здоровью — is universally respected at Russian tables.
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36.
Я вегетарианец.
Ya vegetarianets.
I am vegetarian.
Many Russian soups use meat stock even if they look meat-free — always specify clearly.
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37.
Воды, пожалуйста.
Vody, pozhaluysta.
Water, please.
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38.
Без мяса, пожалуйста.
Bez myasa, pozhaluysta.
Without meat, please.
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39.
Ещё одну порцию, пожалуйста.
Yeshchyo odnu portsiyu, pozhaluysta.
Another portion, please.
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40.
Что вы рекомендуете?
Chto vy rekomenduyete?
What do you recommend?
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🏙️ Повседневная жизнь — Everyday Life
41.
Где туалет?
Gde tualet?
Where is the toilet?
Public toilets: М is for men (мужской), Ж is for women (женский) — important to remember!
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42.
Можно оплатить картой?
Mozhno oplatit kartoy?
Can I pay by card?
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43.
Это далеко?
Eto daleko?
Is it far?
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44.
Я не знаю.
Ya ne znayu.
I don't know.
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45.
Подождите, пожалуйста.
Podozhdite, pozhaluysta.
Please wait.
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46.
Как это называется?
Kak eto nazyvaetsya?
What is this called?
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47.
Повторите, пожалуйста.
Povtorite, pozhaluysta.
Please repeat that.
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48.
Это красиво!
Eto krasivo!
This is beautiful!
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49.
Я из...
Ya iz...
I am from...
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50.
Россия — удивительная страна!
Rossiya — udivitelnaya strana!
Russia is an amazing country!
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