{"id":5401,"date":"2020-09-23T00:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T00:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/?p=5401"},"modified":"2020-09-17T19:41:33","modified_gmt":"2020-09-17T19:41:33","slug":"12-simple-russian-phrases-youre-guaranteed-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/12-simple-russian-phrases-youre-guaranteed-need\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Simple Russian Phrases You’re Guaranteed to Need"},"content":{"rendered":"

Russian is one of the hardest languages for native English speakers<\/u>\u00a0to learn<\/u><\/a>. Still, this shouldn\u2019t keep you from studying the language. Doing so will allow you to visit the beautifully diverse Russia, where you can find modern cities to rival the Western capitals, as well as vast natural landscapes.<\/p>\n

\"Saint

Photo by Julius<\/a> via Pexels<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

If you want to get ready for your trip to Russia, you would do well to get acquainted with at least the most basic\u00a0Russian phrases.<\/p>\n

Note: You should be familiar with the Russian alphabet to know how to pronounce most of these phrases, though we will explain how to say the hardest ones. If you are not knowledgeable of Russian pronunciation just yet, don\u2019t worry! On average,<\/i><\/em>\u00a0<\/i><\/em>l<\/i><\/u><\/em>earning the Cyrillic alphabet can be achieved in 3 or 4 hours<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

How to Introduce Yourself in Russian<\/h2>\n

 
\nIf you want to make friends in Russia and give a good impression, these are the first Russian phrases\u00a0you should learn!<\/p>\n

\u0417\u0434\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0443\u0439\u0442\u0435 \u2014 Hello<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics. If you\u2019re completely new to the Russian language, this is how you say \u201cHello\u201d to someone in a neutral way. This phrase is used with strangers, adults you don\u2019t know very well, and practically anyone you\u2019re not very close with. It is pronounced \/zdrast-vuy-te\/, which looks very intimidating. What can you do to pronounce so many consonants together? Split the word into many parts and practise them separately.<\/p>\n

Now, if you want to greet someone you are already familiar with, things are easier. In that case, you should say \u041f\u0440\u0438\u0432\u0435\u0442, which is pronounced \/pri\u2013vet\/ and could be translated as \u201cHi\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u0415\u0441\u0442\u044c \u043b\u0438 \u0443 \u0412\u0430\u0441 \u0445\u043e\u0431\u0431\u0438? \u2014 Do you have any hobbies?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

After a few conversations with Russians, you will realise that this question comes up very often. The truth is that Russians love asking this, so you should be prepared to answer back. Some of the phrases you could use are:<\/p>\n

\u0414\u0430. \u042f \u043a\u0430\u0442\u0430\u044e\u0441\u044c \u043d\u0430 \u043b\u044b\u0436\u0430\u0445 \u2014 Yes, I ski<\/p>\n

\u042f \u0438\u0433\u0440\u0430\u044e \u0432 \u0431\u0430\u0441\u043a\u0435\u0442\u0431\u043e\u043b \u2014 I play basketball<\/p>\n

\u042f \u043b\u044e\u0431\u043b\u044e \u043f\u0443\u0442\u0435\u0448\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c \u2014 I love to travel<\/p>\n

\u041a\u0430\u043a \u0434\u0435\u043b\u0430? \u2014 How are things?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

A common mistake that many non-natives make is to greet someone with this phrase. In most cases, it may sound out of place unless you\u2019re familiar with the person with whom you are talking. So, you can use it with friends or people you already know, but avoid using it with strangers you meet in a queue, for example.<\/p>\n

\u0412\u0430\u043c \u043d\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0438\u0442\u0441\u044f \u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u044f? \u2014 Do you like Russia?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Most Russians are proud of their country, so your answer to this question should always be \u201c\u0414\u0430\u201d (yes). You may hear some locals criticise the way things are done in Russia, but they don\u2019t appreciate it when foreigners do the same. So, to keep things amicable, it is always best to praise the place you\u2019re visiting.<\/p>\n

How to Be Polite in Russian<\/h2>\n

 
\nEven if you are not very proficient in the language yet, you should know how to express yourself politely. Though most people will understand that you\u2019re still learning Russian and will not take what you say the wrong way, it is best to express yourself properly from the beginning to develop good habits. Learn how to use these Russian phrases!<\/p>\n

\"Happy

Photo by bearfotos<\/a> via Freepik<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

\u041a \u0441\u043e\u0436\u0430\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u044e, \u043d\u0435\u0442 \u2014 To my regret, no<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

If a Russian friend asks you if you want to go out, but you\u2019re too tired from touring the city all day, this is the best way to answer. You could simply say \u041d\u0435\u0442 (No), but you may come across as a bit rude.<\/p>\n

\u0418\u0437\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0438\u0442\u0435<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 I\u2019m sorry<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the most common way to say \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d, so it\u2019s the one you should learn first. Yet, you could also use \u041f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0442\u0435 (excuse me) in many situations. Most of the time, they are interchangeable, but \u0418\u0437\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0438\u0442\u0435 covers a wider range of scenarios.<\/p>\n

\u041f\u043e\u0436\u0430\u043b\u0443\u0439\u0441\u0442\u0430 \u2014 Please and you\u2019re welcome<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u041f\u043e\u0436\u0430\u043b\u0443\u0439\u0441\u0442\u0430 can be used to say both \u201cPlease\u201d and \u201cThank you\u201d. Though it may seem confusing at first, after interacting with Russians for a while, you\u2019ll realise which meaning they are using according to the context. And if you think about it, this actually makes things easier, since it\u2019s one less word to learn!<\/p>\n

The pronunciation of this word will require practice, though. It is pronounced as \/po-zha-luysta\/, with the word stress on \u201czha\u201d. If you are having problems pronouncing this syllable, think of how you say the first syllable of \u201cgenre\u201d and you\u2019ll get it!<\/p>\n

\u0421\u043f\u0430\u0441\u0438\u0431\u043e \u2014 Thank you<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

This word is quite simple in comparison to the previous ones. There are no double meanings or difficult consonant clusters. It is pronounced as \/spa-si-bo\/ with the word stress on \u201csi\u201d, which shouldn\u2019t present a challenge.<\/p>\n

Express Your Language Ability in Russian<\/h2>\n

 
\nIf you\u2019re just beginning to learn Russian<\/u><\/a>, or even if you\u2019re an intermediate student, you are not always going to understand everything. When that happens, these Russian phrases\u00a0will come in handy.<\/p>\n

\u042f \u043d\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0430\u044e \u2014 I don\u2019t understand<\/p>\n

\u0412\u044b \u043c\u043e\u0436\u0435\u0442\u0435 \u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0438\u0442\u044c \u043c\u0435\u0434\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u0435\u0435? \u2014 Can you speak slower?<\/p>\n

\u041f\u043e\u0432\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0438\u0442\u0435, \u043f\u043e\u0436\u0430\u043b\u0443\u0439\u0441\u0442\u0430 \u2014 Please repeat that<\/p>\n

\u041a\u0430\u043a \u0441\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u0442\u044c \u2026 \u043f\u043e-\u0440\u0443\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438? \u2014 How do you say \u2026 in Russian?<\/p>\n

If you want to communicate in the language, these Russian phrases\u00a0will certainly help you. But if you want to connect with the locals on a whole new level and get an insider\u2019s point of view of an amazing culture, you are going to need the help of a native Russian instructor. Explore our Russian courses with native tutors and personalised curriculums <\/u><\/a>to develop your language skills and become fluent in the language.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Russian is one of the hardest languages for native English speakers\u00a0to learn. Still, this shouldn\u2019t keep you from studying the language. Doing so will allow you to visit the beautifully diverse Russia, where you can find modern cities to rival the Western capitals, as well as vast natural landscapes. If you want to get ready(\u2026)<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t \t\t\t\tCONTINUE READING »<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":5402,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,900],"tags":[651,905,904,902,903,901],"class_list":["post-5401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-learning","category-russian","tag-learn-russian","tag-learn-russian-online","tag-russian-classes","tag-russian-courses","tag-russian-lessons","tag-study-russian"],"yoast_head":"\n12 Simple Russian Phrases You're Guaranteed to Need<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you are planning a trip to Russia but still are not fluent in the language, we have two tips for you. 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