Russian Words

Привет (pree-VYET)

Meaning: Hello / Hi

Formality: Informal — used with friends, people your age, or people you're comfortable with.

Здравствуйте (ZDRAST-vuy-tye)

Meaning: Hello

Formal and polite — useful when greeting strangers or showing respect.

Пока (pa-KA)

Meaning: Bye / Goodbye

Formality: Informal — perfect for friends and people you know well.

До свидания (da svee-DA-nee-ya)

Meaning: Goodbye / Until we meet again

Polite and suitable for strangers, teachers, or formal situations.

Да (da)

Meaning: Yes

Formality: Neutral — you can use it in both casual conversations and formal situations.

Нет (nyet)

Meaning: No

Formality: Neutral — you can use it in both casual conversations and formal situations.

Пожалуйста (pa-ZHA-lus-ta)

Meaning: Please / You're welcome

Formality: Polite and neutral — suitable for everyday conversations, with friends or strangers.

Example: Чай, пожалуйста. — Tea, please.

Спасибо (spa-SEE-ba)

Meaning: Thank you / Thanks

Formality: Neutral and polite — works in casual and formal situations.

Example: Да, спасибо! — Yes, thank you!

Большое спасибо! (bal-SHO-ye spa-SEE-ba)

Meaning: Thank you very much!

Formality: Polite and warm; suitable for almost any situation.

Доброе утро (DO-bra-ye OO-tra)

Meaning: Good morning

Formality: Neutral and polite — suitable for friends, family, strangers, and formal situations.

When to use it: In the morning, usually until around midday.

Добрый день (DO-briy dyen)

Meaning: Good afternoon / Good day

Formality: Neutral and polite — suitable for friends, strangers, teachers, and formal situations.

When to use it: During the daytime, from the late morning through the afternoon and sometimes into the early evening.

Добрый вечер (DO-briy VYE-cher)

Meaning: Good evening

Formality: Neutral and polite — works with friends, acquaintances, and strangers.

When to use it: In the evening, when greeting someone.

Спокойной ночи (spa-KOY-nay NO-chee)

Meaning: Good night

Formality: Neutral and polite — suitable for friends, family, and formal situations.

When to use it: When saying goodbye before bed or wishing someone a peaceful night.

Красный (KRAS-nihy)

Meaning: Red

Formality: Neutral — a standard colour word used in everyday conversation.

Example: Красный цвет — The colour red.

Оранжевый (a-RAN-zhe-vihy)

Meaning: Orange

Formality: Neutral — used for the colour in everyday speech.

Example: Оранжевый цвет — The colour orange.

Жёлтый (ZHYOL-tihy)

Meaning: Yellow

Formality: Neutral — a standard everyday colour word.

Example: Жёлтый цвет — The colour yellow.

Зелёный (zee-LYOH-nihy)

Meaning: Green

Formality: Neutral — used in casual and formal situations.

Example: Зелёный цвет — The colour green.

Голубой (ga-lu-BOY)

Meaning: Light blue / Sky blue

Formality: Neutral — a standard colour word.

Example: Голубое небо — Blue sky.

Синий (SEE-nee)

Meaning: Blue / dark blue

Formality: Neutral — used in everyday conversation and formal settings.

Индиго (een-DEE-ga)

Meaning: Indigo — a deep blue-violet colour.

Formality: Neutral — a colour name, though less common in everyday conversation.

Example: Цвет индиго — Indigo colour.

Фиолетовый (fee-a-LYE-ta-vihy)

Meaning: Violet / Purple

Formality: Neutral — used in everyday conversation.

Example: Фиолетовый цвет — The colour violet.

Что это значит по-английски? (Shto EH-ta ZNA-chit pa-an-GLEES-kee?)

Meaning: What does this mean in English?

Formality: Neutral — works in casual conversations and polite situations.