101 essential phrases to survive in Russia

A trip to Russia is a big adventure for a foreigner, mostly because English and other popular languages are not as common here. Maybe in Moscow or Saint-Petersburg, there is a strong possibility that you will meet a person who speaks good English. If you are planning to travel deeper and discover other parts of Russia, you’ll need to learn at least some basic words and phrases to be sure you won’t die here.

So, I prepared a list of 101 essential phrases to survive in Russia. You might find it useful if you are a complete beginner. But if you already speak some Russian, this may help you a little, too.

By reading this article, you’ll be able to communicate with locals and have a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience in Russia. Plus, you can listen to the pronunciation of each phrase to help you perfect your Russian accent. Let’s get started!

Здравствуйте! [zdravstvooytye!] – Hello!

 

Привет! [preevyet] – Hi! (informal)

Доброе утро! (Dobroye utro!) – Good morning!

Добрый день! (Dobryy den!) – Good day!

Добрый вечер! (Dobryy vecher!) – Good evening!

See Also: 9 ways to greet someone in Russian

Как дела? (Kak dela?) – How are you?

До свидания! [da sveedaneeya] – Goodbye!

 

Пока! [paka] – Bye! (informal)

Да. [da] – Yes.

Нет. [nyet] – No.

Спасибо. [spaseeba] – Thank you.

Большое спасибо. [bal’shoye spaseeba] – Thank you very much.

Не за что. [nye za shto] – You are welcome (It’s nothing).

Пожалуйста. [pazhaloosta] – Please.

Извините. [eezveeneetye] – Excuse me.

Хорошо. [harasho] – Good/well.

Хорошо, спасибо! [harasho spaseeba] – Good, thank you!

Нет проблем! [nyet prablyem] – No problem!

Как вас зовут? [kak vas zavoot] – What’s your name?

Меня зовут… [meenya zavoot) – My name is…

Очень приятно. [ochyen’ preeyatna] – Nice to meet you.

Осторожно. [astarozhna] – Be careful.

Понимаете? [paneemayetye] – Do you understand?

Я не понимаю. [ya nee poneemayu] – I don’t understand.

Я не говорю по-русски. (Ya ne govoryu po-russki.) – I don’t speak Russian.

Простите, я не слышу. [prastite, ya ne slyshu] – Sorry, I can’t hear.

Что? [shto] – What?

Мне нужна помощь. [mnye noozhna pomashch] – I need help.

Помогите! [pamageetye] – Help!

Мне плохо. [ya bolyen] – I’m sick.

Я потерялся. [ya patyeryalsya] – I’m lost.

Я не могу найти свой отель [ya nee magoo naytee svoy atel’] – I can’t find my hotel.

Как пройти к…? [kak praytee k] – How do I get to…?

Как добраться до…? [kak dabrat’sya da] – How can I get to…?

Где? [gdye] – Where?

Где найти…? [gde naytee] – Where can I find…?

Где здесь туалет? [gdye zdyes’ tooalyet] – Where is the bathroom?

Это далеко? [eta dalyeko] – Is it far?

See Also: Asking for and Giving Directions in Russian

Я устал. [ya oostal] – I’m tired.

Какой сегодня день? [kakoy syevodnya dyen’] – What day is it today?

Я занят. [ya zanyat] – I’m busy.

Я не могу. [ya nye magoo] – I can’t.

Мне нравится. [mnye nraveetsya] – I like (it).

Мне не нравится. [mnye nee nraveetsya] – I don’t like (it).

Я не знаю. [ya nee znayu] – I don’t know.

Я понимаю. [ya paneemayu] – I understand.

Сколько времени? [skolka vryemeenee] – What time is it?

Повторите, пожалуйста. [paftareetye pazhaloosta] – Repeat this, please.

Как это называется? [kak eta nazivayetsa] – What is it called?

Какой у вас номер телефона? [kakoy oo vas nomyer tyelyefona] – What is your phone number?

Я хочу… [ya hachoo] – I want/ I would like…

Я хочу купить… [ya hachoo koopeet] – I want to buy…

Я хочу купить билет. [ya hachoo koopeet’ beelyet] – I want to buy a ticket.

Где можно купить билет на автобус? [gdye mozhna koopeet’ beelyet na aftoboos] – Where can I buy a bus ticket?

Я хочу заказать… [ya hachoo zakazat’] – I would like to order…

Можно счёт? [mozhna shchyot] – Can I have the bill?

Сколько стоит? [skol’ka stoit] – How much does it cost?

Мне нужно… [mnye noozhna] – I need…

See Also: 99 Common Russian Phrases for Everyday Use

Дайте мне… [daytye mnye] – Give me…

Я возьму… [ya vaz’moo] – I’ll take…

(Вот) это. [vot eta] – This one.

Я согласен. [ya saglasyen] – I agree.

Я не согласен. [ya nee saglasyen] – I disagree. (Use “Я не согласна“ if you’re a female)

Я не хочу. [ya nye hachoo] – Я не хочу.