Every phrase guide on Evolang, organised by the situation you’re in and the level you’re at. Each guide explains every word: how to say it, what it literally means, and when Russians actually use it.

25phrase guides

749phrases explained

A1–C2every level

Phrases are grouped by place and moment: what you’d say at a café, a shop, a station or the office.

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Everyday basics Out and about Social life Work and study Sounding native

New to Russian? Start with these three

Read them in order. Together they cover your first conversation.

1 Greetings and goodbyes Здра́вствуйте!ZDRAST-vuy-tyeHello (polite) 2 Introducing yourself Меня́ зову́т…mi-NYA za-VOOTMy name is… 3 Please, thank you and sorry Спаси́бо!spa-SEE-baThank you!

01 · 5 guides

Everyday basics

The phrases you’ll use in every single conversation, whatever the situation.

Greetings and goodbyesA124 phrases Здра́вствуйте!ZDRAST-vuy-tye Hello (polite), and every other way to say hi and bye. Introducing yourselfA118 phrases· Read now Меня́ зову́т…mi-NYA za-VOOT My name is…, where you’re from, and asking about others. Please, thank you and sorryA120 phrases Спаси́бо!spa-SEE-ba The small polite words, and the replies Russians expect. When you don’t understandA114 phrases Повтори́те, пожа́луйста.paf-ta-REE-tye pa-ZHA-lus-ta Asking someone to repeat, slow down or explain. Yes, no and maybeA116 phrases Мо́жет быть.MO-zhet byt’ Agreeing, refusing and hedging, politely.

02 · 6 guides

Out and about

Phrases for cafés, shops, streets and stations: getting what you need in public.

At a café or restaurantA132 phrases Счёт, пожа́луйста.shchyot pa-ZHA-lus-ta Ordering, the menu, the bill and dietary needs. Shopping and pricesA126 phrases Ско́лько сто́ит?SKOL’-ka STO-it How much, paying by card, sizes and returns. Asking for directionsA228 phrases Где метро́?gdye mi-TRO Where things are, how to get there, and the answers. Trains, buses and taxisA234 phrases Оди́н биле́т до Каза́ни.a-DEEN bi-LYET da ka-ZA-ni Tickets, times, platforms and the words on signs. At a hotelA222 phrases У меня́ бро́нь.u mi-NYA bron’ Checking in, problems with the room, checking out. Emergencies and healthA224 phrases Помоги́те!pa-ma-GEE-tye Help, the doctor, the pharmacy and the police.

04 · 5 guides

Work and study

Professional Russian for meetings, emails, phone calls and university.

MeetingsB136 phrases Дава́йте обсу́дим.da-VAI-tye ab-SOO-dim Opening, interrupting, summarising and closing. Phone callsB124 phrases Вас пло́хо слы́шно.vas PLO-kha SLYSH-na Answering, asking for someone, bad lines. Writing emailsB240 phrases С уваже́нием,s u-va-ZHE-ni-yem Formal openings, requests and sign-offs. Job interviewsB232 phrases Расскажи́те о себе́.ras-ka-ZHEE-tye a si-BYE Talking about yourself, your experience and goals. Debating and presentingC138 phrases Позво́льте с ва́ми не согласи́ться.paz-VOL’-tye s VA-mi ni sag-la-SEET’-sa Holding the floor, disagreeing with respect.

05 · 4 guides

Sounding native

The expressions that separate textbook Russian from how people really talk.

Everyday idiomsB260 phrases Ни пу́ха ни пера́!ni POO-kha ni pi-RA Good luck! And 59 more sayings with no direct translation. ProverbsC150 phrases Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.bez tru-DA ni VY-ta-shchish i RYB-ku is pru-DA The proverbs every Russian quotes, and what they mean. Slang and casual speechC145 phrases Ну ты даёшь!nu ty da-YOSH Wow, you’re something! Informal Russian you’ll hear but won’t read. Humour and ironyC230 phrases Ага́, щас!a-GA shchas Yeah, right! Sarcasm, understatement and jokes.

Every phrase links to the grammar behind it

Phrase guides get you talking straight away. When a phrase uses a pattern worth understanding, such as a case ending or the polite -те, the guide links to the full explanation in the Russian grammar library.