In this lesson, we will practice basic introductions and greetings.
Each phrase has audio, click to hear it.
Transliterations [an approximate spelling using English letters] are also given, but try
reading in Russian first.
Formal vs. Informal
- Ты is informal “you” (friends, kids, people you know well).
Вы is formal or plural “you” (new people, elders, polite situations). - Здравствуйте [Zdrástvuyt'e] — a polite “Hello.”
Привет [Pr'iv'et] — friendly “Hi.” - Asking a name:
Как вас зовут? [Kak vas zovút?] (formal) vs.
Как тебя зовут? [Kak t'eb'a zovut?] (informal). - Saying goodbye:
До свидания [Do sv'idán'iya] (neutral/formal) vs.
Пока [Poka] (casual “Bye”).
Tip: When in doubt, start formal (Вы / Здравствуйте). People will switch you to informal if appropriate.
Essential Phrases
Click the speaker to hear each phrase.
An accent (´) above a vowel marks stress; an apostrophe (') after a consonant indicates softening.
Minimal suggested phrases for your first practice session are highlighted in orange.
An accent (´) above a vowel marks stress; an apostrophe (') after a consonant indicates softening.
Minimal suggested phrases for your first practice session are highlighted in orange.
- Здра́вствуйте [Zdrástvuyt'e] — Hello (formal/polite)
- Как вас зову́т? [Kak vas zovút?] — What is your name? (formal)
- Меня́ зову́т Яков. [Men'á zovút Yakov.] — My name is Yakov.
- Прия́тно познако́миться. [Pr'iyátno poznakóm'its'a.] — Nice to meet you.
- Очень прия́тно. [Ochen' pr'iyátno.] — (It’s) very nice (to meet you).
- До свида́ния. [Do sv'idán'iya.] — Goodbye.
- До ско́рой встре́чи. [Do skóroy vstr'échi.] — See you soon.
- Приве́т! [Pr'iv'e't!] — Hi!
- Как дела́? [Kak d'ela'?] — How are you?
- Спаси́бо, хорошо́. [Spas'íbo, khoroshó.] — Thanks, (I’m) good.
- Как ва́ши дела́? [Kak váshi d'elá?] — How are you? (formal)
- Пока́! [Poka'!] — Bye!
- Спаси́бо. [Spas'i'bo.] — Thank you.
- Пожа́луйста. [Pozháluysta.] — Please / You’re welcome.
- С пра́здником! [S pra'zdn'ikom!] — Happy holiday!