Russian for Beginners – the most important phrases
The world vocational skills championships, WorldSkills, is just around the corner. This time, the worldwide Skills community will be meeting in Russia, more precisely in the city of Kazan, about 800 kilometres south of Moscow. And so we’ve put together the most important Russian phrases, idioms and vocabulary for you, to help you get by during your stay.
Russian is a beautiful sounding language, which is spoken by around 280 million people worldwide. And not just in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan – Russian is also understood and sometimes also spoken in countries such as the Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and the Baltic states. Even just a few Russian words can prove extremely helpful as not all Russians can understand English – but in any case, it’s always a nice gesture towards one’s hosts to have a few basic phrases ready in order to be able to say “thank you” in the local language. So, let’s make a start!
Also at the Kazan Expo some Russian vocabulary can be helpful. Photo: courtesy of WorldSkills International.
Hello – Здравствуй [sdráßtwuj] (informal address) oder Здравствуйте [sdráßtwujti] (formal address)
Goodbye – До свидания! [da ßwidánja]
Good Evening – Добрый вечер! [dóbryj wétschir]
Good Day – Добрый день! [dóbryj djen]
Yes – Да [da]
No – Нет [njet]
Please – Пожалуйста [paschálußta]
Thank you – спасибо! [ßpaßíba]
My name is – Меня зовут…[minjá zawút…]
What’s your name? – Как тебя зовут? [kak tibja zawút…]
Pleased to meet you – Приятно познакомиться! [prijátna pasnakómitsa] oder Oчень приятно! [ótschin prijátna]
How are you? – Как дела? [kak dilá?]
Excuse me – Извините! [iswiníti]
I don’t understand you – я не понимаю [ya ne ponimayu]
Help! – помощь! [pomoshch‘!]
Enjoy your meal! – Приятного аппетита! [prijátnawa apitíta]
Cheers! – За здоровье! [za sdarówje]
Water – вода [wadá]
Tea– чай [tschaj]
Coffee – кофе [kófe]
Wine – вино [winó]
Beer – пиво [píwa]
We hope you enjoy trying out one or the other phrase in Russian!
