Adjectives

1. Большой

   Bol'-shoy

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Headwords are masculine singular nominative. They agree with the noun: большая (fem.), большое (neut.), большие (pl.).

2. Маленький

   Ma-len'-kiy

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Тяжёлый

   Tya-zhyo-lyy

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Лёгкий

   Lyog-kiy

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

5. Дорогой

   Do-ro-goy

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

6. Дешёвый

   De-shyo-vyy

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Горячий

   Go-rya-chiy

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "горячий" is hot to the touch. Hot weather uses the adverb "жарко", never "горячий".

8. Холодный

   Kho-lod-nyy

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

9. Новый

   No-vyy

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

10. Старый

    Sta-ryy

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Use "старый" for things. For people it can be rude, so use "пожилой" instead.

11. Молодой

    Mo-lo-doy

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

12. Пожилой

    Po-zhi-loy

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

13. Чистый

    Chis-tyy

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

14. Грязный

    Gryaz-nyy

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Хороший

    Kho-ro-shiy

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Плохой

    Plo-khoy

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

17. Близкий

    Bliz-kiy

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

18. Далёкий

    Da-lyo-kiy

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

19. Ранний

    Ran-niy

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "ранний" is early in time. Fast in speed is "быстрый", a different word.

20. Поздний

    Pozd-niy

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "поздний" is late in time. Slow in speed is "медленный", a different word.

21. Много

    Mno-go

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

22. Мало

    Ma-lo

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

23. Жарко

    Zhar-ko

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the adverb "жарко" (Сегодня жарко = it is hot today), not the adjective "горячий".

24. Холодно

    Kho-lod-no

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the adverb "холодно"; a cold drink uses the adjective "холодный".

25. Милый

    Mi-lyy

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

    Grammar Note

    Headword is masculine singular nominative; feminine "милая", neuter "милое".

26. Крутой

    Kru-toy

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

    Grammar Note

    Headword is masculine singular nominative; feminine "крутая".

27. Вкусный

    Vkus-nyy

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

    Grammar Note

    Headword is masculine singular nominative; feminine "вкусная".

28. Потрясающий

    Po-trya-sa-yu-shchiy

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    Headword is masculine singular nominative; feminine "потрясающая".

29. Весёлый

    Ve-syo-lyy

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

    Grammar Note

    Headword is masculine singular nominative; feminine "весёлая".

30. Ещё

    Ye-shchyo

    More

    Usage

    Used to ask for more food or another drink

31. Немного

    Ne-mno-go

    Just a little

    Usage

    Used to ask for a small amount

32. Половина

    Po-lo-vi-na

    Half

    Usage

    Used to ask for half the amount or size

33. Всё

    Vsyo

    All of it

    Usage

    Used to say you want all of it

34. Достаточно

    Dos-ta-toch-no

    That is enough

    Usage

    Used to decline more food or service

35. Сейчас же

    Sey-chas zhe

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency; stronger than "seychas" on its own

36. Один человек

    O-din che-lo-vek

    One person

    Usage

    Show this when asked how many people you are

37. Два человека

    Dva che-lo-ve-ka

    Two people

    Usage

    Show this when asked how many people you are

38. Три человека

    Tri che-lo-ve-ka

    Three people

    Usage

    Show this when asked how many people you are

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