11 Essential Russian Phrases + 1 Gesture

2. Give me, please…

Дайте мне, пожалуйста… (Daĭte mne, pozhaluĭsta…)
You can get away with not knowing the Russian for foods and other merchandise when you can point. But you at least need to know how to ask for it. Give me, or Daĭte mne, is the polite way to ask for something. Sprinkle that with a please — pozhaluĭsta – and you’re golden.

3. I’m sorry. I don’t understand. I’m not yours.

Извините. Не понимаю. Я не ваш/а. (Izvinite. Ne ponimayu. Ya ne vash/a.)
People will speak to you. It can be awkward. So this is what you say to them. Telling them you’re not theirs is the equivalent of saying you aren’t a national. If it’s a guy you’re speaking to, use vash. If a woman, vasha.

4. Where’s the toilet? And may I have toilet paper?

Где туалет? Можно туалетную бумагу? (Gde tualet? Mozhno tualetnuyu bumagu?)
Get used to paying to use the toilet. And get used to asking for toilet paper. Restaurants and cafes in larger cities won’t charge to use the facilities, and they’ll have TP in the stalls. But a lot of places in suburban and rural areas — especially summertime cafes, train stations, and bus depots — have attendants working a window who will take your money and dispense TP to you upon entering the john.

Also, don’t try asking for a “bathroom.” If you’re understood they’ll think you’d like to have a shower.

5. Excuse me. May I get through?

Извините. Можно пройти? (Izvinite. Mozhno proĭti?)
Use this when trying to get through a crowd on a packed bus or metro car. Most people in Eastern Europe use public transportation. They also like to get places quickly. After all, who wants to spend time pressed up against strangers in a confined, musty space?

6. How much is this? May I have it for less?

Сколько стоит? Можно дешевле? (Skolʹko eto stoit? Mozhno deshevle?)
Russians love to bargain. And with all the lovely handicrafts you’re certain to come across at the markets and want to take home with you, knowing how to get something for less will ensure you not only don’t get ripped off, but you get more for your money. You might get a bit of respect as well, if you attempt to do so in their language.

7. Thank you! Everything’s very tasty!

Большое спасибо! Все очень вкусно! (Bolʹshoe spasibo! Vsyo ochenʹ vkusno!)
Russians love to feed you. On the occasion a guest is invited to dinner, all the best food and drink is served. Regardless of whether you like everything, it’s best to thank your host by telling them how wonderful it all tastes.

That jelly substance with meat inside just scooped onto your plate: Mmm! Ochenʹ vkusno! The samigon, or moonshine that just took your breath away: Opa! Vkusno! And at the end of the meal, when your third full plateful of food is clean and every last scrap on the table is gone – because only then will they let you leave your seat: Bolʹshoe spasibo! Vsyo ochenʹ vkusno!

8. Let’s go! / Come on! / Let’s do it!

Поехали! Давай! (Poekhali! Davaĭ!)
How about a celebratory shot? Davai! Ready to take that trip to the bathhouse? Poekhali!

9. To health! To friendship!

За здоровье! За дружбу! (Za zdorovʹe! Za druzhbu!)
If you’re at a party you can bet there’ll be a lot of drinking. And that means many toasts. The classic, which many people know, is “To health!” or Za zdorovʹe! Many Westerners mistakenly use na in place of za, which is incorrect when toasting. Na zdorovʹe! may be used when giving someone some soup to take home to an ill relative (Here you are. Na zdorovʹe!), or you might hear it when purchasing produce at the market (Here are your potatoes. Na zdorovʹe!). But za, meaning “for,” is used when toasting.

Chances are, as a guest, you’ll be asked to give a toast. A good one to depend on is Za druzhbu!, “To friendship!” Your hosts will likely be impressed you’re able to speak some Russian, and appreciate the gesture.

10. You look like a cucumber / gherkin today.

Ты сегодня выглядишь как огурец / огурчик (Ty sevodnya vyglyadishʹ kak ogurets / ogurchik)
Cucumber or gherkin, take your pick. It’s an old colloquial compliment. Saying to someone they look like either is to tell them they look fresh. Older women especially will appreciate this one.

11. There’s no place like home!

В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше (V gostyakh khorosho, a doma luchshe)
Whether you’re in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, or any of the other Russian-speaking countries, as a foreigner you’ll be asked multiple times how you like the place. Russians may have tough shells, but they’re as sensitive as the rest of us. You don’t want to insult your friends and/or hosts, so tell them a few things you like about the place if you can, but end with this helpful phrase. Everyone will understand and you’ll score big points for knowing a common Russian colloquialism.

BONUS gesture: The flick

A flick to the side of the throat or near your Adam’s apple sums up in a simple motion what would otherwise need to be awkwardly explained — you are / were drunk, someone else is / was drunk, or you want to get drunk. It’s typically a playful gesture. Use it to insinuate that you’d like to get this party started, or throw it in as word filler when explaining the past night’s drunken escapades.

Example: I went out with Igor last night. One shot led to another, and then — flick.