💬 Start Here
Your First Words & Phrases
Первые фразы
Before any grammar, learn the words you would actually use on day one. These few phrases let you greet people, be polite, and get help. Say them out loud — the reading is in (brackets), and the red letter shows which part to stress.
Hello & goodbye
Use the formal hello with strangers, staff and older people. The short one is for friends.
✓Здра́вствуйте(ZDRAST-vuy-tye)Hello (formal)✓Приве́т(pri-VYET)Hi (informal)✓До свида́ния(da svi-DA-ni-ya)Goodbye✓Пока́(pa-KA)Bye (informal)
💡 The first "в" in здравствуйте is silent — say "zdrast-vuy-tye". Native speakers swallow it.
The polite words
These four do most of the work. Пожа́луйста means both "please" and "you're welcome".
✓Спаси́бо(spa-SI-ba)Thank you✓Пожа́луйста(pa-ZHAL-sta)Please / You're welcome✓Извини́те(iz-vi-NI-tye)Sorry✓Да / Нет(da / nyet)Yes / No
💡 Say Нет, спасибо to say "No" politely.
Introduce yourself
Two phrases let you exchange names
✓Меня́ зову́т…(mi-NYA za-VUT)My name is… (lit. "they call me")✓Как вас зову́т?(kak vas za-VUT)What's your name? (formal)✓О́чень прия́тно(O-chin pri-YAT-na)Nice to meet you
Getting help
When you're stuck, these are gold. People in big cities understand simple English.
✓Вы говори́те по-англи́йски?(vy ga-va-RI-tye pa an-GLIY-ski)Do you speak English?✓Я не понима́ю(ya nye pa-ni-MA-yu)I don't understand✓Помоги́те, пожа́луйста(pa-ma-GI-tye pa-ZHA-lus-ta)Help, please✓Ско́лько э́то сто́ит?(SKOL-ka E-ta STO-it)How much does this cost?
💡 Add пожа́луйста (please) to any request and you instantly sound polite.
💻
Book a free lesson
Ready to speak, not just read? Practise this topic 1-on-1 with a real teacher — your first lesson is free, no card needed.