Traveler’s English–Russian Phrasebook — Survival Phrases & PronunciationTraveling in Russia or other Russian-speaking countries can be an exciting adventure — rich history, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant culture. If you don’t speak Russian fluently, having a compact phrasebook and basic pronunciation guide can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. This article gives you essential survival phrases, pronunciation hints, cultural tips, and quick practice exercises so you can communicate with confidence.
Why learn a few Russian phrases?
Even basic Russian phrases show respect for local culture and often open doors to friendlier interactions. While many city residents — especially younger people — may speak some English, you’ll have better experiences in taxis, markets, small towns, and rural areas if you can say simple things like “hello,” “thank you,” or “how much?”
Pronunciation basics
Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, but most travelers benefit from phonetic approximations. Pronunciation tips below use a simplified transcription; stress is shown by CAPITALIZING the stressed syllable in each word.
-
Vowels:
- а = like “a” in “father” (e.g., мир — MEER)
- е = “ye” as in “yes” (e.g., привет — pre-VYET)
- и = like “ee” in “see” (e.g., да — DA)
- о = “o” as in “more” but reduced to a schwa when unstressed
- у = like “oo” in “food”
- ы = a sound between “i” and “u” (no direct English equivalent)
- э = like “e” in “bed”
- ю = “yu” as in “you”
- я = “ya” as in “yard”
-
Consonants:
- ж = like “s” in “measure”
- ш = like “sh” in “shoe”
- щ = softer “shch” (approx. “fresh cheese”)
- х = like the “ch” in German “Bach” or Scottish “loch”
- ц = like “ts” in “cats”
- й = like “y” in “yes”
- г = like “g” in “go”
- р = rolled or trilled “r” (like in Spanish)
-
Stress: Russian has variable stress that affects vowel sounds. The stressed vowel is louder, clearer, and often changes the vowel quality. Where shown, focus on that syllable.
Survival phrases (with pronunciation)
Below are grouped phrases for common travel situations. Each entry shows the English, Russian (Cyrillic), and a simple phonetic transcription with stress.
-
Greetings & basics
- Hello — Здравствуйте — ZDRA-stvooy-tye
- Hi (informal) — Привет — pre-VYET
- Goodbye — До свидания — da svee-DA-nya
- Please — Пожалуйста — pa-ZHA-loos-ta
- Thank you — Спасибо — spa-SEE-ba
- Yes — Да — DA
- No — Нет — NYET
- Excuse me / Sorry — Извините — iz-vee-NEE-tye
-
Directions & transport
- Where is the metro? — Где метро? — GDEH met-ROH?
- How do I get to the airport? — Как добраться до аэропорта? — kak doh-BRAT-sya do a-eh-ro-PORT-a?
- Taxi — Такси — tak-SEE
- Stop here, please — Остановите здесь, пожалуйста — oh-sta-NOH-vee-tye ZDES’ pa-ZHA-loos-ta
-
Accommodation
- I have a reservation — У меня бронь — u men-YA bron’
- Do you have a room? — У вас есть комната? — oo vas yest’ KOM-na-ta?
- How much per night? — Сколько в сутки? — SKOL’-ka v SOOT-ki?
-
Food & dining
- Menu, please — Меню, пожалуйста — me-NYOO pa-ZHA-loos-ta
- I am vegetarian — Я вегетарианец / вегетарианка — ya ve-ge-ta-RYA-nets / ya ve-ge-ta-RYA-nka
- Check, please — Счёт, пожалуйста — schYOT pa-ZHA-loos-ta
- Water (still/sparkling) — Вода (негазированная/газированная) — va-DA (ne-ga-zi-ro-VAH-na-ya / ga-zi-ro-VAH-na-ya)
-
Shopping & money
- How much is this? — Сколько это стоит? — SKOL’-ka EH-ta STO-it?
- Can I pay by card? — Можно оплатить картой? — MOZH-na op-la-TEET’ KAR-toy?
- Do you have a smaller bill? — У вас есть мелочь? — oo vas yest’ ME-lotch’?
-
Emergencies & help
- I need help — Мне нужна помощь — mnye noozh-NAH PO-moshch’
- Call the police — Вызовите полицию — vy-zoh-VEET’ye pa-LEE-tsee-yu
- I need a doctor — Мне нужен врач — mnye NOO-jen vrach
- I lost my passport — Я потерял(а) паспорт — ya pa-tee-RYAL(a) PAS-port
Polite phrases that go a long way
- Could you help me? — Не могли бы вы мне помочь? — nye mo-GLEE by vy mnye pa-MOCH’?
- One moment, please — Минуту, пожалуйста — mi-NOO-tu pa-ZHA-loos-ta
- I don’t understand — Я не понимаю — ya ne pa-nee-MA-yu
- Do you speak English? — Вы говорите по-английски? — vy ga-va-REE-tye pa an-glee-SKEE?
Fast hacks for reading signs and menus
-
Cyrillic to Latin quick matches:
- А = A, В = V, Е = E (or YE at start), К = K, М = M, О = O, Т = T
- Н = N, Р = R (looks like P), С = S (looks like C), У = U (looks like Y)
- И = I, Л = L, Д = D, Б = B (reverse-looking), Г = G
-
Common words:
- Выход (VYKhod) = Exit
- Вход (VKhod) = Entrance
- Выход на посадку = Boarding exit/gate
- Ресторан = Restaurant
- Аптека = Pharmacy
- Больница = Hospital
Cultural tips & etiquette
- Greet with a firm but brief handshake in formal settings. Close friends may kiss on the cheek (usually three light kisses) in social settings.
- Avoid overly loud public behavior; Russians often value privacy and reserve.
- Tipping: 10%–15% in restaurants is common but not mandatory.
- When entering someone’s home, it’s polite to remove shoes; hosts may offer slippers.
Quick practice exercises
- Repeat aloud: spa-SEE-ba, pa-ZHA-loos-ta, pre-VYET, ZDRA-stvooy-tye.
- Try a 5-minute role-play: order a coffee, ask for the nearest metro, and ask the price of a souvenir.
- Record yourself and compare to audio from language apps to tune pronunciation.
One-page printable cheat sheet (examples)
- Hello — Здравствуйте — ZDRA-stvooy-tye
- Thank you — Спасибо — spa-SEE-ba
- Where is the bathroom? — Где туалет? — GDEH too-a-LET?
- How much? — Сколько стоит? — SKOL’-ka STO-it?
- Help! — Помогите! — pa-ma-GHEE-tye!
Final notes
Learning even a handful of phrases and a few pronunciation rules will make your trip easier and more rewarding. Use this phrasebook as a starting point: practice the sounds, carry a small printed cheat sheet, and don’t be afraid to try—locals appreciate the effort.