Basic Russian Conversation Phrases

Russian is an East Slavic language native to the Russians in Eastern Europe. It is an official language in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and is used widely throughout the Caucasus, Central Asia, and to some extent in the Baltic states. Russian belongs to the family of Indo-European languages, one of the four living members of the East Slavic languages alongside, and part of the larger Balto-Slavic branch. It was the de facto language of the Soviet Union until its dissolution on 26 December 1991. Russian is used in an official capacity or in public life in all the post-Soviet nation-states. Large numbers of Russian speakers are residents of other countries like Israel and Mongolia. Russian is the largest native language in Europe and the most geographically widespread language in Eurasia. It is the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages, with over 258 million total speakers worldwide. It is the seventh-most spoken language in the world by a number of native speakers and the eighth-most spoken language in the world by total number of speakers. The language is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It is also the second-most widespread language on the Internet, after English.

Russia is a lively country with an extremely beautiful and inviting culture. Whether you’re a traveller or on a business trip or a student looking for higher education, either way, you’re going to be in need of a few basic phrases to be able to survive with the natives to some extent.

Hello

Здравствуйте

Pronounced as: Zdravstvuyte

A simple hello will help you start any conversation.

Good Morning

Доброе утро 

Pronounced as: Dobroye utro

Greetings are important to remember.

Good Night

спокойной ночи

Pronounced as: Spokoynoy nochi

Even those greetings that might end a conversation are important to remember.

What is your name?

Как тебя зовут? 

Pronounced as: Kak tebya zovut?

This should help you socialize with others.

Thank you.

Спасибо. 

Pronounced as: Spasibo.

Remember to always show gratitude. 

I’m Sorry

Прошу прощения. 

Pronounced as: Proshu proshcheniya.

Always apologise when you make a mistake.

Please 

Пожалуйста. 

Pronounced as: Pozhaluysta.

As a traveller, you must remember to always be polite.

Could you help me, please?

Вы не могли бы мне помочь?  

Pronounced as: Vy ne mogli by mne pomoch?

Even when you’re in need of help, be as polite as possible. 

I’d like a mineral water.

Я хотел бы минеральной воды. 

Pronounced as: Ya hotel by mineralnoy vody. 

Would you like to dance?

Потанцуем? 

Pronounced as: Potantsuyem? 

This is for those fun-loving souls. 

Being one of the most widely spoken languages and a language that dominates the internet alongside English, it is also important to keep in mind how popular Russia is among tourists. With that said, it is important to remember a few key phrases, which would help you in the long run. In my opinion, the above-mentioned basic phrases would be the most helpful when you want to initiate or actively participate in a conversation.

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