Basic Russian phrases

Here are some basic Russian phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.

The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:

Приветствие и прощание – Saying hello and goodbye

Here are some different ways to greet people:

привет	hi (informal)
здравствуйте	hello (polite)

доброе утро	good morning (used before noon)
добрый день	good afternoon (used between noon and 5pm)
добрый вечер	good evening (used after 5pm)

The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:

пока	bye
до свидания	goodbye (literally: until the next meeting)
спокойной ночи	goodnight (literally: calm night)

увидимся!	see you! (literally: we will see each other)
до скорого!	see you soon!

хорошего дня!	have a nice day!
хороших выходных!	have a good weekend!

excuse me (can be used to get someone’s attention, to get past someone, or to apologise)

If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:

ничего страшного	no problem (literally: nothing terrible)
все в порядке	it's OK
не стоит беспокойства	don't worry about it

вы говорите по-русски?	do you speak Russian? (polite)

я не говорю по-русски	I don't speak Russian
я не очень хорошо говорю по-русски	I don't speak much Russian
я только чуть-чуть говорю по-русски	I only speak very little Russian
я немного говорю по-русски	I speak a little Russian

пожалуйста, говорите медленнее	please speak more slowly (polite)
пожалуйста, напишите это	please write it down (polite)
не могли бы вы повторить?	could you please repeat that? (polite)

я понимаю	I understand
я не понимаю	I don't understand

« Previous page		Next page »
Phrases – main page		Emergencies