Everyday Spoken Russian

Hi!

Tip: privet — Friends and peers only. To strangers or older people: 'Здравствуйте'.

What's up? / How's it going?

Tip: kak dela — A real question — Russians may actually answer in detail.

Good — and you?

Tip: normalno, a u tebya — 'Fine' — the typical modest answer, then an informal 'and you?'

Thanks a lot!

Tip: spasibo bolshoye — The everyday warm thank-you, works with anyone.

You're welcome! / My pleasure!

Tip: ne za chto — Reply to thanks — literally 'not for what'.

Oops, sorry!

Tip: oy, izvini — Informal. To strangers, add '-те' for the polite form.

OK / alright.

Tip: ladno — 'OK, fine' — agreeing, sometimes a bit reluctantly.

Sorry, can you say that again?

Tip: izvinite, mozhete povtorit — Polite, with the formal 'вы' — for strangers.

Could you speak a bit slower?

Tip: mozhno pomedlenneye — Short and natural: literally 'is it possible slower?'

Can you help me?

Tip: vy ne pomozhete — Polite way to stop a stranger: literally 'won't you help?'

A coffee, please.

Tip: mne kofe, pozhaluysta — How to order: 'for me a coffee'. 'Мне…' + what you want.

How much is it?

Tip: skolko stoit — Point at the item and ask.

Can I pay by card?

Tip: mozhno kartoy — Spoken shortcut: literally 'possible by card?'

Of course! / Sure!

Tip: konechno [kanéshna] — Spelled with 'ч' but said with 'sh'.

No thanks, I'm fine.

Tip: net, spasibo — Polite way to turn something down.

Seriously?

Tip: seryozno — Surprised reaction — very common.

So cool!

Tip: kruto — 'Cool! Awesome!' Casual reaction to good news.

I don't know.

Tip: ne znayu — Spoken Russian often drops 'я' (I).

Bye! / See you!

Tip: davay, poka — The first word alone often means 'bye' at the end of a call.

Have a nice day!

Tip: khoroshego dnya [-shevo] — Said in shops and when parting. The 'г' in '-его' is said 'v'.