Basic Words

1. Да

   Da

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Нет

   Net

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Пожалуйста

   Po-zha-luy-sta

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

4. Спасибо

   Spa-si-bo

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Извините

   Iz-vi-ni-te

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

6. Простите

   Pros-ti-te

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. Всё в порядке

   Vsyo v po-rya-dke

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Я не понимаю

   Ya ne po-ni-ma-yu

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Понятно

   Po-nyat-no

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

   Grammar Note

   "Понятно" is neutral for gender. A man may also say "Я понял", a woman "Я поняла".

10. Готово

    Go-to-vo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Подождите, пожалуйста

    Po-dozh-di-te, po-zha-luy-sta

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Одну минуту

    Od-nu mi-nu-tu

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Один взрослый, пожалуйста

    O-din vzros-lyy, po-zha-luy-sta

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. У меня нет брони

    U me-nya net bro-ni

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. У меня есть бронь

    U me-nya yest' bron'

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Помогите, пожалуйста

    Po-mo-gi-te, po-zha-luy-sta

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Повторите, пожалуйста

    Pov-to-ri-te, po-zha-luy-sta

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Говорите медленнее, пожалуйста

    Go-vo-ri-te med-len-ne-ye, po-zha-luy-sta

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Я говорю немного

    Ya go-vo-ryu nem-no-go

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Вы говорите по-английски?

    Vy go-vo-ri-te po-ang-liy-ski?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    "вы" is the polite second person. Always use it with strangers, never "ты".

21. Это

    E-to

    This

    Usage

    Say this while pointing at something near you

22. То

    To

    That

    Usage

    Russian only splits near vs far, so one word covers Japanese "sore" and "are"; use it for something not next to you

23. Вон то

    Von to

    That one over there

    Usage

    For something further away; "von" adds the sense of distance

24. Здесь

    Zdes'

    Here

    Usage

    Say this while pointing at where you are

25. Там

    Tam

    There

    Usage

    For a place away from you

26. Вон там

    Von tam

    Over there

    Usage

    For a place further away; "von" adds the sense of distance

27. Я

    Ya

    I

    Usage

    Say this while pointing at yourself

28. Вы

    Vy

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite second person for strangers; never use "ty" with someone you do not know

29. Вместе

    Vmes-te

    Together

    Usage

    Used to say you want to do something together

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