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Russia · Russian Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Здравствуйте
    Hello (polite; essential on first meeting) “zdravstvuyte”
  2. 2
    Спасибо
    Thank you “spasibo”
  3. 3
    Пожалуйста
    You're welcome / Please (both meanings) “pozhaluysta”
  4. 4
    Извините
    Excuse me / Sorry “izvinite”
  5. 5
    Добрый день
    Good day (daytime greeting) “dobryy den”
  6. 6
    До свидания
    Goodbye “do svidaniya”
  7. 7
    Как дела?
    How are you? “kak dela?”
Local etiquette
  • Use the polite "zdravstvuyte" with strangers and in formal settings; the casual "privet" is only for close friends.
  • Russians don't smile at strangers casually. A neutral face isn't rude — it signals sincerity, and smiles come once you're acquainted.
  • Always shake hands indoors, over the threshold. Shaking hands across a doorway is considered bad luck and is avoided.

Basics

  1. 1
    Да / Нет
    Yes / No “da / net”
  2. 2
    Я не понимаю
    I don't understand “ya ne ponimayu”
  3. 3
    Я не говорю по-русски
    I don't speak Russian “ya ne govoryu po-russki”
  4. 4
    Вы говорите по-английски?
    Do you speak English? “vy govorite po-angliyski?”
  5. 5
    Говорите медленнее, пожалуйста
    Please speak more slowly “govorite medlennee, pozhaluysta”
  6. 6
    Что это?
    What is this? “chto eto?”
  7. 7
    Помогите, пожалуйста
    Please help me “pomogite, pozhaluysta”
  8. 8
    Можно сфотографировать?
    May I take a photo? “mozhno sfotografirovat?”
Local etiquette
  • Carry your passport and migration card (registration slip) at all times. Police may ask for ID, and not having it can mean a fine.
  • Photography is restricted in some metro stations and train stations — check for signs before shooting.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Сколько стоит?
    How much is it? “skolko stoit?”
  2. 2
    Можно оплатить картой?
    Can I pay by card? “mozhno oplatit kartoy?”
  3. 3
    Дайте, пожалуйста, это
    I'll take this, please “dayte, pozhaluysta, eto”
  4. 4
    Есть скидка?
    Is there a discount? “yest skidka?”
  5. 5
    Пакет, пожалуйста
    A bag, please “paket, pozhaluysta”
  6. 6
    Где касса?
    Where is the cashier? “gde kassa?”
Local etiquette
  • If you give flowers, always buy an odd number. Even-numbered bouquets are for funerals and would be a serious faux pas.
  • Prices are fixed in malls and department stores; haggling only works at open-air markets (rynok).
  • Card payment is widely accepted, but small shops and markets may need cash.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Меню, пожалуйста
    The menu, please “menyu, pozhaluysta”
  2. 2
    Что вы посоветуете?
    What do you recommend? “chto vy posovetuete?”
  3. 3
    Я буду это
    I'll have this “ya budu eto”
  4. 4
    Воду, пожалуйста
    Water, please “vodu, pozhaluysta”
  5. 5
    У меня аллергия
    I have an allergy “u menya allergiya”
  6. 6
    Счёт, пожалуйста
    The check, please “schyot, pozhaluysta”
  7. 7
    Очень вкусно
    It's very delicious “ochen vkusno”
  8. 8
    На вынос, пожалуйста
    To go, please “na vynos, pozhaluysta”
Local etiquette
  • A tip of about 10% is customary if service isn't already included in the bill.
  • When toasting, clink glasses, say "na zdorovye" and make eye contact. Never toast with water or an empty glass.
  • Vodka is typically downed in one shot, and refusing the first glass can seem impolite.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Где туалет?
    Where is the restroom? “gde tualet?”
  2. 2
    Где метро?
    Where is the metro? “gde metro?”
  3. 3
    Как доехать до…?
    How do I get to…? “kak doyekhat do…?”
  4. 4
    Отвезите по этому адресу
    Take me to this address (taxi) “otvezite po etomu adresu”
  5. 5
    Один билет, пожалуйста
    One ticket, please “odin bilet, pozhaluysta”
  6. 6
    Остановите здесь, пожалуйста
    Stop here, please “ostanovite zdes, pozhaluysta”
  7. 7
    Я заблудился
    I'm lost “ya zabludilsya”
Local etiquette
  • The Moscow and St. Petersburg metros are very deep and fast; it's polite to give up your seat to the elderly and pregnant.
  • Always use the Yandex Go app for taxis. Unlicensed cars hailed on the street risk overcharging and safety issues.
  • On escalators, stand on the right and leave the left clear for people walking.

Hotel

  1. 1
    У меня бронь
    I have a reservation “u menya bron”
  2. 2
    Я хочу зарегистрироваться
    I'd like to check in “ya khochu zaregistrirovatsya”
  3. 3
    Во сколько выезд?
    What time is check-out? “vo skolko vyezd?”
  4. 4
    Можно оставить багаж?
    Can I leave my luggage? “mozhno ostavit bagazh?”
  5. 5
    Какой пароль от Wi-Fi?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “kakoy parol ot wi-fi?”
Local etiquette
  • Foreigners must register their address (registratsiya) through their accommodation within 7 business days of arrival. Hotels do this automatically.
  • Bring your original passport at check-in, and keep your migration card safe until you leave the country.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Помогите!
    Help! “pomogite!”
  2. 2
    Вызовите полицию
    Call the police “vyzovite politsiyu”
  3. 3
    Вызовите скорую
    Call an ambulance “vyzovite skoruyu”
  4. 4
    Где больница?
    Where is a hospital? “gde bolnitsa?”
  5. 5
    Я потерял паспорт
    I lost my passport “ya poteryal pasport”
Local etiquette
  • The unified emergency number is 112; police 102, ambulance 103. Most operators speak Russian, so keep a translation app ready.
  • If you lose your passport, contact your embassy immediately; if your migration card is also lost, get a police report.