Here are some basic Russian phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| Да | Yes |
| Нет | No |
| может быть or возможно | Maybe |
| Спасибо | Thanks |
| Большое спасибо | Thanks very much |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
| Пожалуйста | You're welcome |
| Не за что | Don't mention it |
| Не стоит благодарности | Not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
| Привет | Hi |
| Здравствуйте | Hello |
| Доброе утро | Good morning (used before noon) |
| Добрый день | Good afternoon (used from noon until around 5pm) |
| Добрый вечер | Good evening (used from around 5pm) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
| Пока | Bye |
| До свидания | Goodbye |
| Спокойной ночи | Goodnight |
| Увидимся! | See you! |
| До скорого! | See you soon! |
| Хорошего дня! | Have a nice day! |
| Хороших выходных! | Have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
| простите or извините | Excuse me (can be used to get someone's attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
| Извините | Sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
| Ничего страшного | No problem |
| Все в порядке | It's OK |
| Не стоит беспокойства | Don't worry about it |
Making yourself understood
| Вы говорите по-русски? | Do you speak Russian? |
| Я не говорю по-русски | I don't speak Russian |
| Я не очень хорошо говорю по-русски | I don't speak Russian very well |
| Я только чуть-чуть говорю по-русски | I only speak very little Russian |
| Я немного говорю по-русски | I speak a little Russian |
| Пожалуйста, говорите медленнее | Please speak more slowly |
| Пожалуйста, напишите это | Please write it down |
| Не могли бы вы повторить? | Could you please repeat that? |
| Я понимаю | I understand |
| Я не понимаю | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
| Я знаю | I know |
| Я не знаю | I don't know |
| Извините, где здесь туалет? | Excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
| Вход | Entrance |
| Выход | Exit |
| Запасной выход | Emergency exit |
| Туалет | WC |
| Туалеты | Toilets |
| М (abbreviation of Мужчины) | Gentlemen |
| Ж (abbreviation of Женщины) | Ladies |
| Свободно | Vacant |
| Занято | Occupied |
| Не работает | Out of order |
| Не курить | No smoking |
| Частная собственность | Private |
| Вход воспрещен | No entry |
