Time and days in Russian
Now, later, tomorrow, what time it opens and one moment please. 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
- Сейчасsye-CHAS
- Now
- ПозжеPOZ-zhye
- Later
- Сегодняsye-VOD-nya
- Today
- ЗавтраZAF-tra
- Tomorrow
- Сегодня вечеромsye-VOD-nya VYE-che-ram
- Tonight
- Когда?kag-DA
- When?
- Во сколько открывается?va SKOL-ka at-kry-VA-ye-tsa
- What time does it open?
- Минуточкуmee-NOO-tach-koo
- One moment, please
- Минутmee-NOOT
- Minutes
- Часовcha-SOF
- Hours
Means both "now" and "right now." A waiter saying Сейчас means "coming right up." It can also mean "in a moment" depending on tone.
Used to defer something or indicate a later time. Потом (pa-TOM) is a common alternative meaning "afterwards" or "later."
Note the spelling versus the pronunciation: the "г" is pronounced "в" in this word. This is a common quirk of Russian orthography and trips up learners.
The "в" in завтра is often barely heard in natural speech, making it sound more like "ZAF-tra." Common in everyday planning conversations.
Literally "a little minute".
The form after five and up: пять минут (pyat mee-NOOT).
The form after five and up: пять часов (pyat cha-SOF).