30 Essential Russian Phrases for Beginners (With Pronunciation)

How to use these Russian phrases

• Say them out loud a few times every day.
• Focus on chunks, not individual words.
• Use them in context—imagine you’re at a café, in a taxi, or talking to a new friend.

30 Easy Russian Phrases for Beginners

1. Hello (informal)
   Russian: Привет
   Pronunciation: pree-VYET
   When to use: With friends, family, and people your age. Similar to “hi”.
2. Hello (formal)
   Russian: Здравствуйте
   Pronunciation: ZDRAH-stvooy-tye
   When to use: In shops, offices, with older people, or anyone you want to be polite with.
3. Goodbye
   Russian: До свидания
   Pronunciation: duh svee-DAH-nee-ya
   When to use: Neutral, polite “goodbye” in most situations.
4. Bye / See you
   Russian: Пока
   Pronunciation: pah-KA
   When to use: Informal “bye” with friends and people you know well.
5. Thank you
   Russian: Спасибо
   Pronunciation: spa-SEE-buh
   When to use: Any time you want to say “thank you”.
6. Please / You’re welcome
   Russian: Пожалуйста
   Pronunciation: pah-ZHAH-loos-ta
   When to use: Means both “please” and “you’re welcome,” depending on context.
7. Excuse me / I’m sorry
   Russian: Извините
   Pronunciation: eez-vee-NEE-tye
   When to use: When you bump into someone, want to get attention, or need to apologize politely.
8. Yes
   Russian: Да
   Pronunciation: da
   When to use: Simple “yes”.
9. No
   Russian: Нет
   Pronunciation: nyet
   When to use: Simple “no”.
10. How are you?
    Russian: Как дела?
    Pronunciation: kak dee-LA?
    When to use: Casual “How are you?” with people you know.
11. I’m good
    Russian: Хорошо
    Pronunciation: kha-rah-SHO
    When to use: A common answer to “Как дела?” – “I’m good / fine.”
12. Not so good / Bad
    Russian: Плохо
    Pronunciation: PLO-kha
    When to use: When things aren’t going well.
13. Okay / It’s fine
    Russian: Нормально
    Pronunciation: nar-MAL-na
    When to use: Very common; means “okay,” “fine,” “not bad.”
14. My name is…
    Russian: Меня зовут…
    Pronunciation: mee-NYA za-VOOT…
    When to use: To introduce yourself.
    Example: Меня зовут Анна. – My name is Anna.
15. I don’t understand
    Russian: Я не понимаю
    Pronunciation: ya nye pah-nee-MAH-yu
    When to use: Very useful when someone speaks too fast or uses difficult words.
16. Speak more slowly, please
    Russian: Говорите медленнее, пожалуйста
    Pronunciation: gah-vah-REE-tye MYED-len-nee-ye, pah-ZHAH-loos-ta
    When to use: Ask someone to slow down their speech.
17. Where is the bathroom?
    Russian: Где туалет?
    Pronunciation: gde too-ah-LYET?
    When to use: Essential travel phrase for restaurants, cafés, and stations.
18. How much does this cost?
    Russian: Сколько это стоит?
    Pronunciation: SKOL-ka EH-ta STO-it?
    When to use: When shopping or asking about prices.
19. I want this
    Russian: Я хочу это
    Pronunciation: ya kha-CHOO EH-ta
    When to use: Point to something in a shop or menu and say this.
20. Help!
    Russian: Помогите!
    Pronunciation: pah-ma-GEE-tye
    When to use: In emergencies or when you really need assistance.
21. I’m from…
    Russian: Я из…
    Pronunciation: ya eez…
    When to use: To say where you’re from.
    Example: Я из Японии. – I’m from Japan.
22. Have a good day
    Russian: Хорошего дня
    Pronunciation: kha-RO-sheh-vuh dnya
    When to use: A friendly way to say goodbye during the day.
23. Good luck
    Russian: Удачи
    Pronunciation: oo-DAH-chee
    When to use: When wishing someone success before an exam, interview, etc.
24. Nice to meet you
    Russian: Приятно познакомиться
    Pronunciation: pree-YAT-na paz-na-KO-meet-sya
    When to use: After you learn someone’s name.
25. What is this?
    Russian: Что это?
    Pronunciation: shto EH-ta?
    When to use: When pointing at an object and asking what it is.
26. I speak a little Russian
    Russian: Я немного говорю по-русски
    Pronunciation: ya nyem-NO-ga gah-vah-RYOO pah-ROOS-kee
    When to use: Great line to lower expectations and invite patience.
27. Repeat, please
    Russian: Повторите, пожалуйста
    Pronunciation: pahf-tah-REE-tye, pah-ZHAH-loos-ta
    When to use: When you didn’t catch something and need to hear it again.
28. May I? / Can I?
    Russian: Можно?
    Pronunciation: MOZH-na?
    When to use: Very flexible phrase meaning “May I?”, “Is it allowed?”, “Can I do that?”
29. Where is it?
    Russian: Где это?
    Pronunciation: gde EH-ta?
    When to use: When someone mentions a place or object and you want to know where it is.
30. Excellent / Great
    Russian: Отлично
    Pronunciation: at-LEECH-na
    When to use: To react positively – “Great!”, “Awesome!”

Final Tips

Practice these phrases out loud every day. Repeat them while cooking, walking, or commuting. Try to combine them into mini-dialogues:

– Привет! Как дела?
– Нормально. А у тебя?
– Отлично!
      

The more you hear yourself speaking Russian, the faster it will feel natural. Start with these thirty phrases, and you’ll already be able to greet people, ask basic questions, and survive everyday situations in Russian.