Yes, no and the essentials in Russian
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Russian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Russian phrases in this lesson
- Даda
- Yes
- Нетnyet
- No
- Хорошоha-ra-SHO
- Okay
- Я не понимаюya nye pa-nee-MA-yu
- I don't understand
- Вы говорите по-английски?vy ga-va-REE-tye pa-an-GLEE-skee
- Do you speak English?
- Повторите, пожалуйстаpaf-ta-REE-tye, pa-ZHAL-sta
- Can you repeat that?
- Помедленнее, пожалуйстаpa-MYED-lyen-nye-ye, pa-ZHAL-sta
- Slowly, please
- Что это?shto E-ta
- What is this?
- Мне нужно...mnye NOOZH-na
- I need...
- Вы можете мне помочь?vy MO-zhe-tye mnye pa-MOCH
- Can you help me?
Short and clear. Russians also use a drawn-out "Да-а" to show they are listening, similar to "uh-huh" in English.
Direct and standard. Russians tend to be straightforward in their responses, so a plain Нет is not considered rude.
Literally means "good" but functions as "okay" or "alright" in everyday speech. Very common in conversation and texting.
Say this clearly and most Russians will slow down, repeat, or try to help. Follow it with Говорите медленнее (speak more slowly) if needed.
Use Вы (formal) with strangers. Younger Russians in cities often speak some English. Outside major cities, patience and gestures help more than English.
Literally "more slowly, please".
Literally "to me is needed".