Slavic · Cyrillic
RussianРусский
260M speakers · Eastern Europe / Asia
250 terms
privet
Hello
An informal Russian greeting used among friends.
dobroye utro
Good morning
A formal morning greeting.
dobryy vecher
Good evening
An evening greeting used in formal and informal contexts.
do svidaniya
Goodbye
A formal farewell phrase meaning "until we meet again".
poka
Bye
An informal farewell used among friends.
pozhaluysta
Please / You are welcome
Used to make polite requests and also as a response to "thank you".
spasibo
Thank you
An expression of gratitude.
izvinite
Sorry / Excuse me
Used to apologize or to get someone's attention politely.
da
Yes
Affirmative answer.
nyet
No
Negative answer.
menya zovut
My name is
Used to introduce oneself. Literally "they call me".
kak dela?
How are you?
A common informal greeting asking about well-being.
khorosho
Good / Fine / Well
Used to express that things are good or going well.
ya ne ponimayu
I do not understand
Used when you cannot understand what someone said.
dobro pozhalovat
Welcome
A phrase used to greet someone arriving at a place.
priyatno poznakomitsya
Nice to meet you
Said when meeting someone for the first time.
spokоynoy nochi
Good night
A farewell phrase said before going to sleep.
odin
One
The number 1.
dva
Two
The number 2.
tri
Three
The number 3.
chetyre
Four
The number 4.
pyat
Five
The number 5.
desyat
Ten
The number 10.
sto
One hundred
The number 100.
tysyacha
Thousand
The number 1000.
segodnya
Today
Referring to the current day.
vchera
Yesterday
Referring to the day before today.
zavtra
Tomorrow
Referring to the day after today.
chas
Hour
A unit of time equal to 60 minutes.
minuta
Minute
A unit of time equal to 60 seconds.
den
Day
A period of 24 hours.
nedelya
Week
A period of seven days.
mesyats
Month
One of the twelve divisions of a year.
god
Year
A period of 365 days.
khleb
Bread
A staple food made from flour and water, fundamental in Russian culture.
voda
Water
A clear liquid essential for life.
chay
Tea
A popular hot beverage in Russia, often served with jam or lemon.
kofe
Coffee
A popular hot beverage made from coffee beans.
moloko
Milk
A white liquid produced by mammals, commonly consumed as a drink.
maslo
Butter / Oil
A dairy product made from cream, used for cooking and spreading.
sup
Soup
A liquid dish, commonly eaten in Russia as the first course at lunch.
myaso
Meat
Animal flesh used as food.
ryba
Fish
An aquatic animal commonly eaten as food.
yabloko
Apple
A common fruit, round and typically red or green.
yaytso
Egg
An oval food item commonly eaten for breakfast.
sol
Salt
A white crystalline substance used to season food.
restoran
Restaurant
A place where people pay to eat meals.
menyu
Menu
A list of dishes available in a restaurant.
mat
Mother
A female parent.
otets
Father
A male parent.
sestra
Sister
A female sibling.
brat
Brother
A male sibling.
syn
Son
A male child in relation to his parents.
doch
Daughter
A female child in relation to her parents.
muzh
Husband
A married man in relation to his wife.
zhena
Wife
A married woman in relation to her husband.
babushka
Grandmother
The mother of one's parent.
dedushka
Grandfather
The father of one's parent.
drug
Friend (male)
A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. Male form.
rebyonok
Child
A young person, a boy or girl.
semya
Family
A group of people related by blood or marriage.
poyezd
Train
A vehicle that runs on rails, common for long-distance travel in Russia.
avtobus
Bus
A large motor vehicle carrying passengers.
metro
Metro / Subway
An underground railway system, especially famous in Moscow.
stantsiya
Station
A place where trains, buses or metros stop.
aeroport
Airport
A place where aircraft take off and land.
samolyot
Airplane
A powered flying vehicle with wings.
mashina
Car
A road vehicle powered by an engine.
bilet
Ticket
A piece of paper that gives you the right to travel or enter a place.
gostinitsa
Hotel
An establishment providing rooms for overnight stays.
karta
Map
A diagram showing geographical features or roads.
gorod
City
A large town with many buildings and people.
ulitsa
Street
A public road in a town or village.
golova
Head
The upper part of the body containing the brain and face.
ruka
Hand / Arm
The end part of a person's arm, used for grasping.
noga
Leg / Foot
A limb used for walking and supporting the body.
glaz
Eye
The organ of sight.
litso
Face
The front part of a person's head.
vrach
Doctor
A person qualified to practise medicine.
bolnitsa
Hospital
An institution where sick people are treated.
lekarstvo
Medicine
A drug or substance used for treating illness.
bol
Pain
A physically unpleasant sensation in the body.
serdtse
Heart
The organ that pumps blood through the body; also a symbol of love.
solntse
Sun
The star at the centre of our solar system.
dozhd
Rain
Water falling from the sky in drops.
sneg
Snow
Frozen water vapour falling as white flakes. Characteristic of Russian winters.
nebo
Sky
The region of the atmosphere above the earth.
oblako
Cloud
A visible mass of water droplets in the sky.
veter
Wind
Moving air, especially in the natural world.
derevo
Tree
A tall plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves.
les
Forest
A large area covered with trees. Russia has the world's largest forest area.
reka
River
A large natural stream of water flowing to the sea.
ozero
Lake
A large body of water surrounded by land.
zima
Winter
The coldest season of the year.
leto
Summer
The warmest season of the year.
dom
House / Home
A building where people live.
komnata
Room
A division of a building separated by walls.
dver
Door
A hinged or sliding barrier at the entrance to a building or room.
okno
Window
An opening in a wall fitted with glass to let in light.
stol
Table
A piece of furniture with a flat top and legs.
stul
Chair
A separate seat for one person with a back.
krovat
Bed
A piece of furniture for sleeping.
spat
To sleep
To rest with eyes closed and mind inactive.
kukhnya
Kitchen
A room where food is prepared and cooked.
kniga
Book
A written or printed work consisting of pages bound together.
telefon
Phone
A device for voice communication over distance.
shkola
School
An institution for educating children.
universitet
University
A high-level educational institution.
uchitel
Teacher
A person who teaches in a school.
student
Student
A person studying at a university or college.
rabota
Work / Job
Activity involving effort done to achieve a result; also a place of employment.
ofis
Office
A room or building where people work at desks.
kompyuter
Computer
An electronic device for storing and processing data.
internet
Internet
A global network of computers.
vstrecha
Meeting
An assembly of people for a purpose, especially at work.
yazyk
Language / Tongue
A system of communication used by a community; also the tongue.
urok
Lesson
A period of learning; instruction in a subject.
magazin
Shop / Store
A building or part of a building where goods are sold.
dengi
Money
A medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes.
tsena
Price
The amount of money expected in exchange for something.
rynok
Market
A place where goods are bought and sold.
dorogoy
Expensive / Dear
Costing a lot; also used as a term of endearment.
deshyovyy
Cheap / Inexpensive
Low in price; not expensive.
bank
Bank
A financial institution where people keep and borrow money.
kartochka
Card (payment)
A small plastic card used to pay for goods and services.
schastlivyy
Happy
Feeling or showing pleasure and contentment.
grustnyy
Sad
Feeling sorrow or unhappiness.
lyubov
Love
A deep feeling of affection.
zloy
Angry / Evil
Feeling or showing strong annoyance or displeasure.
ispugannyy
Afraid / Frightened
Feeling fear or anxiety.
dobryy
Kind / Good
Having a friendly, generous nature.
umnyy
Smart / Intelligent
Having or showing intelligence.
ustalyy
Tired
Feeling a need to rest or sleep.
udivlyonnyy
Surprised
Feeling mild astonishment or shock.
plakat
To cry
To shed tears, especially as an expression of distress or joy.
smeyatsya
To laugh
To make sounds expressing amusement or joy.
krasnyy
Red
The colour of blood or fire. Also historically associated with beauty in Russian.
siniy
Blue (dark)
A dark blue colour. Russian distinguishes dark blue (синий) from light blue (голубой).
goluboy
Light blue / Sky blue
A pale, light blue colour. A distinct colour category in Russian.
zelyonyy
Green
The colour of grass and leaves.
belyy
White
The lightest colour, like snow or milk.
chornyy
Black
The darkest colour, like night.
zholtyy
Yellow
The colour of the sun and lemons.
bolshoy
Big / Large
Of considerable size or extent.
malenkiy
Small / Little
Of limited size; not large.
kruglyy
Round
Shaped like a circle or sphere.
sobaka
Dog
A domesticated carnivorous mammal kept as a pet.
koshka
Cat
A small domesticated carnivorous mammal.
ptitsa
Bird
A warm-blooded vertebrate with wings and feathers.
loshad
Horse
A large domesticated animal used for riding.
korova
Cow
A large female animal kept for milk and meat.
medved
Bear
A large, heavy animal with thick fur, symbolic of Russia.
volk
Wolf
A wild carnivorous mammal that is the largest member of the dog family.
ryba
Fish (animal)
A cold-blooded aquatic animal with fins.
krolik
Rabbit
A small mammal with long ears.
mysh
Mouse
A small rodent with a pointed snout and a long tail.
idti
To go (on foot)
To move on foot in a direction. Used for movement on foot.
bezhat
To run
To move swiftly on foot.
gulyat
To walk / To stroll
To walk for pleasure; to go for a walk.
yest
To eat
To put food into the mouth and swallow it.
pit
To drink
To take liquid into the mouth and swallow it.
govorit
To speak / To talk
To express thoughts or feelings verbally.
slushat
To listen
To give attention to sound.
ponimat
To understand
To perceive the meaning of; to comprehend.
chitat
To read
To look at and comprehend written or printed text.
pisat
To write
To mark letters or words on a surface.
videt
To see
To perceive with the eyes.
smotret
To look / To watch
To direct your gaze in a particular direction.
znat
To know
To have knowledge or information in the mind.
dumat
To think
To have a particular thought or opinion.
prikhodit
To come / To arrive
To move toward or reach a place.
davat
To give
To freely transfer something to someone.
brat
To take
To reach out and hold something.
pokupat
To buy
To obtain something by paying money for it.
platit
To pay
To give money in exchange for goods or services.
otkryvat
To open
To move a door, window, or container so it is no longer closed.
zakryvat
To close / To shut
To move a door, window, or container to cover an opening.
lyubit
To love / To like
To have a deep affection for; to enjoy.
khotet
To want
To have a desire or wish for something.
nuzhno
It is necessary / I need
Used to express necessity or need. A common impersonal construction.
gotovit
To cook / To prepare
To prepare food by heating it.
rabotat
To work
To be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result.
uchitsya
To study / To learn
To apply the mind to acquiring knowledge.
zhit
To live
To be alive; to reside in a particular place.
pomogat
To help
To make it easier for someone to do something.
nakhodit
To find
To discover or locate something or someone.
zhdat
To wait
To stay in one place until something happens.
novyy
New
Made, introduced, or discovered recently.
staryy
Old
Having lived or existed for a long time.
krasivyy
Beautiful / Handsome
Pleasing to the senses, especially to the sight.
bystryy
Fast / Quick
Moving or able to move at high speed.
medlennyy
Slow
Not moving quickly; taking a long time.
goryachiy
Hot
Having a high temperature; not cold.
kholodnyy
Cold
Having a low temperature.
blizkiy
Near / Close
At a short distance away in space or time.
dalyokiy
Far / Distant
At a great distance away.
pravyy
Right (direction)
On or toward the right side.
levyy
Left (direction)
On or toward the left side.
tsvetok
Flower
The coloured part of a plant which produces seeds.
more
Sea
A large body of salt water.
gora
Mountain
A large natural elevation of the earth's surface.
noch
Night
The time from sunset to sunrise.
utro
Morning
The early part of the day, from dawn until noon.
vecher
Evening
The period of time at the end of the day, before night.
vesna
Spring
The season after winter when plants begin to grow.
osen
Autumn / Fall
The season after summer when leaves fall from trees.
pasport
Passport
An official travel document issued by a government.
sumka
Bag
A flexible container for carrying things.
odezhda
Clothes
Items worn to cover the body.
podarok
Gift / Present
A thing given to someone without payment.
den rozhdeniya
Birthday
The anniversary of the day on which a person was born.
prazdnik
Holiday / Celebration
A day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.
muzyka
Music
Vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce beauty of form.
iskusstvo
Art
The expression of human creative skill and imagination.
sport
Sport
An activity involving physical exertion and skill.
zdorovye
Health
The state of being free from illness or injury.
yeda
Food
Any nutritious substance consumed to maintain life and growth.
vkusnyy
Delicious / Tasty
Having a very pleasant taste or smell.
napitok
Drink / Beverage
A liquid suitable for drinking.
ovoshch
Vegetable
A plant or part of a plant used as food.
pismo
Letter
A written message sent to someone.
vopros
Question
A sentence worded to elicit information or a response.
otvet
Answer
A response to a question or problem.
slovo
Word
A single unit of language.
predlozhenie
Sentence / Offer
A grammatical unit of one or more words; also a business proposal.
imya
Name (first name)
A word by which a person is known.
adres
Address
The particulars of the place where someone lives.
klyuch
Key
A small piece of metal used to open a lock.
ruchka
Pen / Handle
An instrument for writing with ink.
bumaga
Paper
A material made in thin sheets, used for writing.
nomer
Number / Room number
An arithmetical value; also a hotel room or phone number.
problema
Problem
A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome and needing to be dealt with.
ideya
Idea
A thought or suggestion about a possible course of action.
vremya
Time
The indefinite continued progress of existence; a point in time.
mesto
Place / Seat
A particular position or point in space.
mir
World / Peace
The earth with all its countries and peoples; also the word for peace.
strana
Country
A nation with its own government.
lyudi
People
Human beings in general; the men, women, and children of a community.
muzhchina
Man
An adult male human.
zhenshchina
Woman
An adult female human.
malchik
Boy
A male child.
devochka
Girl
A female child.
khleb i sol
Bread and salt
A traditional Russian welcome symbol. Guests are greeted with bread and salt.
dacha
Dacha (country house)
A country house or cottage used as a summer retreat, central to Russian culture.
banya
Russian bathhouse
A traditional Russian steam bath, an important cultural institution.
vodka
Vodka
A clear, strong alcoholic drink, strongly associated with Russian culture.
matroyshka
Matryoshka doll
A set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed inside one another, a Russian symbol.
borshch
Borscht
A sour soup of Ukrainian origin popular in Russia, made with beetroot.
troyka
Troika
A set of three; also a traditional Russian carriage drawn by three horses.
dusha
Soul
The spiritual part of a person; "dusha" is central to Russian philosophy and identity.