Спа́сибо!
Thank you!
IPA /ˈspasʲɪbə/
Say it SPAH-sih-buh!
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Спасибо!
Politeness
Useful Russian phrases for politeness, with audio, IPA, stress marks and an English-friendly pronunciation hint.
Thanking, apologising and asking. Most of these turn on the вы form, and the notes say where a ты version exists.
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Politeness
Большо́е спа́сибо!
Thank you very much!
IPA /bɐlʲˈʂojə ˈspasʲɪbə/
Say it bul-SHOH-yuh SPAH-sih-buh!
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Большое спасибо!
Пожа́луйста.
Please. / You're welcome.
IPA /pɐˈʐalʊjstə/
Say it puh-ZHAH-luy-stuh.
One word does both jobs: "please" after a request and "you're welcome" after спасибо. Which one it is depends entirely on where it sits.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Пожалуйста.
Не за что!
Don't mention it.
IPA /ˈnʲe zə ˈʂto/
Say it NYEH zuh SHTOH!
Literally "nothing for". Warm and slightly casual; in a formal exchange say Пожалуйста instead.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Не за что!
Извини́те.
Excuse me. / Sorry.
IPA /ɪzvʲɪˈnʲitʲə/
Say it ih-zvih-NEE-tyuh.
Covers both "sorry" and "excuse me, could you…". The ты form is Извини.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Извините.
Прости́те, пожа́луйста.
I'm sorry.
IPA /prɐsʲˈtʲitʲə pɐˈʐalʊjstə/
Say it pruh-STEE-tyuh, puh-ZHAH-luy-stuh.
Stronger than Извините; add пожалуйста for a real apology rather than a nudge past someone in the metro.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Простите, пожалуйста.
Извини́.
Sorry.
IPA /ɪzvʲɪˈnʲi/
Say it ih-zvih-NEE.
Only to someone you address as ты.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Извини.
Прошу́ проще́ния.
I beg your pardon.
IPA /prɐˈʂu prɐˈɕːenʲɪjə/
Say it pruh-SHOO pruh-SHCHEH-nih-yuh.
The most formal apology available, and the right one after bumping into a stranger or interrupting.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Прошу прощения.
Бу́дьте добры́.
Could you kindly…
IPA /ˈbutʲtʲə dɐˈbrɨ/
Say it BOO-tyuh duh-BRIH.
Literally "be so good". Placed before or after a request: Будьте добры, чашку чая. It is warm without being familiar.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Будьте добры.
Бу́дьте любе́зны.
Would you be so kind.
IPA /ˈbutʲtʲə lʲʊˈbʲeznɨ/
Say it BOO-tyuh lyoo-BYEH-znih.
A shade more official than Будьте добры — the register of a reception desk or a written request.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Будьте любезны.
Не могли́ бы вы мне помо́чь?
Could you help me?
IPA /ˈnʲe mɐˈɡlʲi ˈbɨ ˈvɨ ˈmnʲe pɐˈmotɕ/
Say it NYEH muh-GLEE BIH VIH muh-NYEH puh-MOHCH?
The бы makes it a request rather than a question about ability. Without бы, Не могли вы мне помочь? sounds like an accusation.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Не могли бы вы мне помочь?
Скажи́те, пожа́луйста.
Excuse me… (before a question)
IPA /skɐˈʐitʲə pɐˈʐalʊjstə/
Say it skuh-ZHIH-tyuh, puh-ZHAH-luy-stuh.
The standard way to stop a stranger in the street. It is always the вы imperative; Скажи is for children.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Скажите, пожалуйста.
Мо́жно?
May I?
IPA /ˈmoʐnə/
Say it MOHZH-nuh?
One word for "may I?", "is it allowed?", "can I come in?". Answer with Можно or Нельзя.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Можно?
Благодарю́ вас.
I thank you.
IPA /bləɡədɐˈrʲu ˈvas/
Say it bluh-guh-duh-RYOO VAHS.
A formal, slightly written alternative to Спасибо, common in service exchanges and in letters.
Listen in Russian:
Slow in Russian:
Благодарю вас.