Russian phrasebook

Russian (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in Russia use it as a first language, and many people in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, Abkhazia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Ossetia, and the unrecognized Transnistria, Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.

In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as Ukraine, Georgia and the Baltic States (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners.

Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule.

Russian remains the lingua franca of choice throughout the former Soviet Central Asian states, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova, where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status).

It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in Mongolia, where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in Israel, owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian.

Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries.

Pronunciation guide

Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are soft (palatalized) or hard. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel.

One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes with other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian!

Vowels

a ah: like father (IPA: a)
e yeh: like yesterday (IPA: je)
ё yoh: like yore (IPA: jɵ)
и ee: like seen or machine (IPA: i)
o oh: like score (IPA: o)
у oo: like cartoon (IPA: u)
ы yh: like roses (IPA: ɨ)
э eh: like end (IPA: ɛ)
ю yoo: like Yugoslavia (IPA: ju)
я yah: like yacht (IPA: ja)

Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad):

The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а
The letter о sounds like the letter а when in the syllable before the stressed syllable, or like a schwa otherwise (eg. the e in English chicken)
The letter а sounds like the English hut (IPA: ə or ɐ)
The letter у sounds like the English book (IPA: ʊ)
All other vowels tend to make the sound of English ill (IPA: ɪ)

However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood.

Unfortunately, ё is very often written as е, which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots.

Consonants

б beh: like boy (IPA: b)
в veh: like very (IPA: v)
г geh: like go (IPA: ɡ); in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh)
д deh: like do (IPA: d)
ж zheh: like measure (IPA: ʐ)
з zeh: like zoo (IPA: z)
й ee kratkoe ("short и"): like boy (IPA: j)
к kah: like keep (IPA: k)
л ell: like feel (IPA: ɫ)
м em: like seem (IPA: m)
н en: like noodle (IPA: n)
п peh: like spigot (IPA: p)
р err: heavily rolled as in Spanish rr in perro (IPA: r)
с ess: like seem (IPA: s)
т teh: like stop (IPA: t)
ф eff: like French (IPA: f)
х khah: like Chanukkah, Scottish loch, or German Bach (IPA: x)
ц tseh: like boots (IPA: t͡s)
ч cheh: like cheap (IPA: t͡ɕ)
ш sheh: like shot (IPA: ʂ)
щ scheh: ш, but harsher (IPA: ɕ). Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is not pronounced similar to "harsh choice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant)

The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and not like English question.

Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners.

When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized (IPA: ʲ). See the soft sign below for more details.

Signs

In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the yer) used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard").

ъ ’’: the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would be). It is mostly used after prefixes v- ("in") and s- ("out"). For example:

съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film
Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon
въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd).

ь ’: the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not be)

This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels.

полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance)
полка (POL-kah) - a shelf
уголь (OO-gol') - coal
угол (OO-gol) - corner
каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon
канон (ka-NON) - canon
кров (KROHF) - roof, shelter
кровь (KROHF') - blood

Stress

Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every textbook and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. It is, however, usually omitted in normal writing, so you will need to memorise the stressed syllable for each individual Russian word.

Grammar

Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used.

Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter.

The second person pronoun вы is the plural of ты and is also used, as in French, for polite address to one person.

Russian verbs and verb conjugation differ along three axes:

1) Verbs come in perfective and imperfective pairs (e.g., думать | подумать). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb.

	Singular	Plural
1st Person	Я думаю	Мы думаем
2nd Person	Ты думаешь	Вы думаете
3rd Person	Он думает	Они думают

2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., подумал | думаю | подумаю). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., подумал | подумала | подумало).

3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can be and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right)

Nouns and adjectives have six cases, depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence:

Case	Nominative	Accusative	Genitive	Dative	Prepositional	Instrumental
Use	Subject of sentence	Direct object	Possessive (of)	Indirect object (to/for)	Location (at)	Instrumental (by/with)
Example	Город красив	Я читал книгу	Центр города	Я дал ему еду	Музей в городе	Я шёл с ним
Translation	The city is pretty	I read the book	Center of the city	I gave him food	A museum in the city	I walked with him

Phrase list

See Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide for guidance on the phoneticizations below

Basics

Hello. (formal): Здравствуйте. (ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh) (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.)
Hello. (informal): Здравствуй. (ZDRAHST-vooy)
Hi.: Привет. (pree-VYEHT) , Здорово. (Zduh-ROH-vuh) (Shorter version of the above greeting.)
How are you?: Как дела? (kahg dee-LAH?)
Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh)
What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (kahk vahs zah-VOOT?)
My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___)
Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh)
Please.: Пожалуйста. (pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh)
Thank you.: Спасибо. (spuh-SEE-buh)
You're welcome.: Не за что. (NYEH-zuh-shtoh) (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again)
Yes.: Да. (dah)
No.: Нет. (nyeht)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Извините. (eez-vee-NEET-yeh)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Простите. (prah-STEET-yeh)
I'm sorry.: Простите. (prah-STEET-yeh)
Goodbye: До свидания. (duh svee-DAH-nyah.)
Goodbye (informal): Пока. (pah-KAH)
I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH])
Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?)
Help!: Помогите! (puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!)
Look out!: Осторожно!! (uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!)
Good morning.: Доброе утро. (DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh)
Good evening.: Добрый вечер. (DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr)
Good night (to sleep): Спокойной ночи! (spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee)
I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo)
I don't know.: Я не знаю. (yah nee ZNAH-yoo)
I can't.: Я не могу. (yah nee mah-GOO)
Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?)
Good: Хороший (khah-ROH-shee)
Bad: Плохой (plah-KHOY)
Big: Большой (bahl'-SHOY)
Small: Маленький (MAH-leen-kee)
Hot: Горячий (gahr-YAH-chee)
Cold: Холодный (khah-LOHD-nyh)
Fast: Быстро (BYH-struh)
Slow: Медленно (MYEHD-lee-nuh)
Expensive: Дорогой (duh-rah-GOY)
Cheap: Дешёвый (dyee-SHYOH-vyh)
Rich: Богатый (bah-GAH-tyh)
Poor: Бедный (BYEHD-nyh)

Problems

Emergency numbers In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: 101 : Fire department 102 : Police 103 : Ambulance 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.

Leave me alone.: Отстань. (aht-STAHN’!)
Don't touch me!: Не трогай меня! (nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!)
I'll call the police!: Я вызову полицию! (yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!)
Police!: Полиция! (poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!)
Stop! Thief!: Держите вора! (deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!)
I need your help.: Мне нужна ваша помощь. (mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh)
It's an emergency.: Это срочно!. (EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh)
I'm lost.: Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’)

In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender:

I lost my bag.: Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh)
I lost my wallet.: Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek)
My things have been stolen.: Меня обокрали. (me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee)
I'm sick.: Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine))
I've been injured.: Я ранен(а) (yah RAH-neen(-ah))
I've been bitten by a dog.: Меня укусила собака (me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh)
I need a doctor.: Мне нужен врач. (mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch)
Please call an ambulance.: Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch)
Can I use your phone?: Можно от вас позвонить? (MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?); (this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)

Numbers

Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2–4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc.

0: ноль/нуль (nohl’/nool’)
1: один (ah-DEEN) m, одна (ahd-NAH) f, одно (ahd-NOH) n (one can say раз (raz) when counting something)
2: два (dvah) mn, две (dvyeh) f
3: три (tree)
4: четыре (chee-TYH-ree)
5: пять (pyaht’)
6: шесть (shehst’)
7: семь (syeem’)
8: восемь (VOH-seem’)
9: девять (DYEH-veet’)
10: десять (DYEH-suht’)
11: одиннадцать (ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’)
12: двенадцать (dvee-NAHD-zuht’)
13: тринадцать (tree-NAHD-zuht’)
14: четырнадцать (chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’)
15: пятнадцать (peet-NAHD-zuht’)
16: шестнадцать (shyhst-NAHD-zuht’)
17: семнадцать (seem-NAHD-zuht’)
18: восемнадцать (vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’)
19: девятнадцать (dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’)
20: двадцать (DVAHD-zuht’)
21: двадцать один (DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN)
22: двадцать два (DVAHD-zuht’ dvah)
23: двадцать три (DVAHD-zuht’ tree)
30: тридцать (TREED-zuht’)
40: сорок (SOH-ruhk)
50: пятьдесят (pee-dee-SYAHT)
60: шестьдесят (shyhs-dee-SYAHT)
70: семьдесят (SYEM’-dee-syet)
80: восемьдесят (VOH-seem-deeh-syet’)
90: девяносто (dee-vee-NOH-stuh)
100: сто (stoh)
150: полтораста (puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh)
200: двести (DVYEH-stee)
300: триста (TREE-stuh)
400: четыреста (chee-TYHR-ee-stuh)
500: пятьсот(peet-SOHT)
1000: тысяча (TYH-see-chuh)
2000: две тысячи (dvyeh TYH-see-chee)
5000: пять тысяч (pyaht’ TYH-seech)
1,000,000: миллион (mee-lee-OHN)
1,000,000,000: миллиард (mee-lee-ART)
1,000,000,000,000: триллион (tree-lee-OHN)
Number _____ (train, bus, etc.): номер _____ (NOH-meer)
half: половина (puh-lah-VEE-nuh)
less: меньше (MYEHN’-sheh)
more: больше (BOHL’-sheh)

Time

now: сейчас (see-CHAHS)
later: позже (POH-zhuh)
earlier: раньше (RAHN’-shyeh)
morning: утро (OOH-truh)
afternoon: день (dyehn’) (literally 'day')
evening: вечер (VYEH-chuhr)
night: ночь (nohch)

Clock time

What time is it? (formal): Не подскажете, который час? (nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs)
What time is it? (informal): Который сейчас час? (kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs)
one o'clock: час (chahs)
two o'clock: два часа (dvah chuh-SAH)
three o'clock: три часа (TREE chuh-SAH)
four o'clock: четыре часа (chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA)
five o'clock: пять часов (pyaht’ chuh-SOHV)
six o'clock: шесть часов (shest’ chuh-SOHV)
seven o'clock: семь часов (syem’ chuh-SOHV)
eight o'clock: восемь часов (VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV)
nine o'clock: девять часов (DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV)
ten o'clock: десять часов (DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV)
eleven o'clock: одинадцать часов (ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV)
twelve o'clock: двенадцать часов (dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV)
noon: полдень (POHL-dyehn’)
midnight: полночь (POHL-nohch)
half an hour: полчаса (pohl-chuh-SAH)

Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows:

morning: утро (OOH-truh) (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
afternoon: день (dyehn’) (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
evening: вечер (VYEH-chuhr) (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
night: ночь (nohch) (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.)

For example:

9 a.m.: девять часов утра (DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH)
8 p.m.: восемь часов вечера (VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh)

Duration

Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2–4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5–9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).

_____ minute: _____ минута/минуты/минут (mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT)
_____ hour(s): _____ час/часа/часов (chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF)
_____ day(s): _____ день/дня/дней (dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay)
_____ week(s): _____ неделя/недели/недель (nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’)
_____ month(s): _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf)
_____ year(s): _____ год/года/лет (goht / GOH-duh / lyeht) (лет also means "summers")

Days

today: сегодня (see-VOHD-nyuh)
yesterday: вчера (fcheeh-RAH)
tomorrow: завтра (ZAHF-truh)
this week: на этой неделе (nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee)
last week: на прошлой неделе (nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee)
next week: на следующей неделе (nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh)

Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.

Monday: понедельник (puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek)
Tuesday: вторник (VTOHR-neek)
Wednesday: среда (sree-DAH)
Thursday: четверг (cheet-VYEHRK)
Friday: пятница (PYAHT-nee-tsuh)
Saturday: суббота (soo-BOHT-uh)
Sunday: воскресенье (vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh)

work day: будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни
rest days: выходные

Months

January: январь (yeen-VAHR’)
February: февраль (feev-RAHL’)
March: март (mahrt)
April: апрель (ahp-RYEHL’)
May: май (migh)
June: июнь (ee-YOON’)
July: июль (ee-YOOL’)
August: август (AHV-goost)
September: сентябрь (seen-TYABR’)
October: октябрь (ahk-TYABR’)
November: ноябрь (nah-YABR’)
December: декабрь (dee-KAHBR’)

Writing time and date

Dates are written as day.month.year (where day, month and year are numbers) or as day month year (where day and year are numbers and month is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as 24.05.2009 or as 24 мая 2009 года. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as 17:20.

Colors

black: чёрный (CHOHR-nyh)
white: белый (BYEH-lyh)
gray: серый (SYEH-ryh)
red: красный (KRAHS-nyh)
blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (SEE-nyh)
blue (light-blue or cyan): голубой (guh-loo-BOY) - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"!
yellow: жёлтый (ZHOL-tyh)
green: зелёный (zee-LYOH-nyh)
orange: оранжевый (ah-RAHN-zhee-vy)
purple: фиолетовый (fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh)
brown: коричневый (kah-REECH-nee-vyh)
pink: розовый (ROH-zuh-vyh)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Сколько стоит билет в _____? (SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh)
Where does this train/bus go?: Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Где поезд/автобус до_____? (gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?)
Are you getting off (at the next stop)?: Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?) — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (dah vyh-hah-ZHOO) — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO) — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE) — May I go through, the person will let you go out.

Directions

Name changing A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: Leningrad → Saint Petersburg (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) Stalingrad → Volgograd Sverdlovsk → Yekaterinburg (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) Ordzhonikidze → Vladikavkaz Kalinin → Tver Gorky → Nizhny Novgorod Zagorsk → Sergiev Posad Kuybyshev → Samara Frunze → Bishkek Stalinabad → Dushanbe Alma-Ata → Almaty Akmola → Astana Krasnovodsk → Turkmenbashi

Where: где (gdyeh)
Here: здесь (zdyehs)
There: там (tahm)
To where: куда (koo-DAH)
To here: сюда (syoo-DAH)
To there: туда (too-DAH)
How do I get to _____ ?: Как добраться до_____ ? (kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?)
...the train station?: ...вокзала? (vahg-ZAH-luh)
...the bus station?: ...автовокзала? (ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh)
...the airport?: ...аэропорта? (ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh)
...the Metro (subway): ...метро (mee-TROH)
...downtown?: ...центра? (TSEHN-truh)
...the youth hostel?: ...молодёжного общежития? (muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh)
...the _____ hotel?: ...гостиницы ______? (gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh)

e.g.:

...the Mosfilm hotel?: ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh)
Where are there a lot of...: Где есть много... (gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh)
...hotels?: ...гостиниц? (gahs-TEE-neets?)
...restaurants?: ...ресторанов? (rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?)
...bars?: ...баров? (BAHR-uhf)
...sites to see?: ...достопримечательностей? (duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay)
Where is a good, cheap...: Где хороший дешёвый... (gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh)
...restaurant?: ресторан? (ree-stah-RAHN)
...bar?: бар? (bahr)
Please can you show me on the map?: Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh)
Is it far?: Далеко? (dah-lee-KOH)
street: улица (OO-lee-tsuh)
Turn left.: Поверните налево. (puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh)
Turn right.: Поверните направо. (puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh)
left: налево (nuh-LYEH-vuh)
right: направо (nuh-PRAH-vuh...)
straight ahead: прямо (PRYAH-muh)
towards the _____: к _____ (k)
past the _____: мимо _____ (MEEH-mah)
before the _____: перед _____ (PYEH-reet)
Watch for the _____.: Ищите _____. (ee-SHEE-tyeh)
intersection: перекрёсток (pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk)
north: север (SYEH-veer)
south: юг (yook)
east: восток (vahs-TOHK)
west: запад (ZAH-puht)
uphill: вверх (VVYEHR-kh)
downhill: вниз (vnees)

Taxi

Taxi!: Такси! (Tahk-SEE!)
Take me to _____, please.: Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?)
Take me there, please.: Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.)
[Please] stop here.: Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: У вас есть свободные комнаты? (oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK )
Does the room come with...: В этой комнате есть... (VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...)
...bedsheets?: ...простыни? (...PROHS-tee-nee)
...a bathroom?: ...ванная? (...VAHN-nah-yuh)
...a telephone?: ...телефон? (...tee-lee-FOHN)
...a TV?: ...телевизор? (...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr)
...a refrigerator?: ...холодильник ? (...ho-luh-DIL-nik)
...electric kettle?: ...электрический чайник ? (...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik)
May I see the room first?: Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too)
Do you have anything quieter?: У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?)
...bigger?: ...побольше? (pah-BOHL’-shyh)
...cleaner?: ...почище? (pah-CHEE-sheh)
...cheaper?: ...подешевле? (puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh)
OK, I'll take it.: Хорошо, я беру. (khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo)
Do you have a safe?: У вас есть сейф? (oo vahs yest’ syayf)
...lockers?: ...индивидуальные сейфы? (een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Завтрак/ужин включен? (ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON)
What time is breakfast/supper?: Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn)
Please clean my room.: Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh)
Can you wake me at _____?: Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? )
You have a bedbug infestation here.: У вас водятся клопы. (oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH)
I want to check out.: Дайте счёт. (DIGH-tyeh shyoht)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh)
Do you accept British pounds?: Вы принимаете английские фунты? (vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh)
Do you accept euro?: Вы принимаете евро? (vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh)
Do you accept credit cards?: Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh)
Can you change money for me?: Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee)
Where can I get money changed?: Где я могу обменять деньги? (gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk)
What is the exchange rate?: Какой курс обмена? (kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Где здесь банкомат? (gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Могу я посмотреть меню? (mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'')
Can I look in the kitchen?: Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo)
Is there a house specialty?: Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh)
Is there a local specialty?: Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh)
I'm a vegetarian.: Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah)
I don't eat pork.: Я не ем свинину. (yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo)
I don't eat beef.: Я не ем говядину. (yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo)
I only eat kosher food.: Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH)
fixed-price meal: комплексный обед (KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT)
à la carte: карта вин (KAHR-tah veen)
breakfast: завтрак (ZAHF-truhk)
lunch: обед (ah-BYEHT)
tea (meal): полдник (POHLD-neek)
supper: ужин (OO-zhyhn)
I want _____.: Я хочу _____. (yah khah-CHOO) (use first form below)
I want a dish containing _____.: Я хочу блюдо с _____. (yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____) (use second form)
chicken: курицу/ой (KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy)
beef: говядину/ой (gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy)
fish: рыбу/ой (RYH-boo / RYH-boy)
ham: свинину/ой (svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy)
veal: говядина (gahv-YAH-deen-uh)
sausage: колбасу/ой (kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY)
cheese: сыр/ом (syhr / SYH-ruhm)
eggs: яйца/ами (YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee)
salad: салат/ом (sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm)
potato: картофель (kahr-TOH-fehl')
(fresh) vegetables: (свежие/ими) овощи/ами ((SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee)
tomato: помидор (puh-mee-DOHR)
cabbage: капуста (kah-POOS-tuh)
carrot: морковь (mahr-KOHF)
beet: свёкла (SVYOHL-kuh)
(fresh) fruit: (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами ((SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee)
berries: ягоды (YAH-guh-dyh)
strawberry: клубинка (kloo-BEEN-kuh)
banana: банан (bah-NAHN)
apple: яблоко (YAH-bluh-kuh)
grapes: виноград (vee-nah-GRAHD)
currants: смородина (smah-ROH-dee-nuh)
orange: апельсин (uh-peel-SEEN)
bread: хлеб/ом (khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm)
toast: тост/ом (tohst / TOHST-uhhm))
noodles: лапша/ой (LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY)
pasta: макароны/онами (mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee)
rice: рис/ом (rees / REE-suhm)
buckwheat: гречка/гречкой (GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy)
beans: фасоль/фасолью (fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo)
May I have a glass of _____?: Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo)
...coffee: ...кофе (KOH-feh)
...tea (drink): ...чая (CHAH-yuh)
...juice: ...сока (SOH-kah)
...(bubbly) water: ...минеральной воды (mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH)
...water: ...воды (vah-DYH)
...beer: ...пива (PEE-vuh)
...red/white wine: ...красного/белого вина (KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH)
...sparkling wine: ...шампанского (shum-PAHN-skuh-guh)
...vodka: ...водки (VOT-kee)
May I have some _____?: Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh)
...salt: соль (sohl’)
...black pepper: чёрный перец (CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets)
...butter: масло (MAHS-luh)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Официант!/Девушка! (uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!) The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant.
I'm finished.: Я наелся/наелась. (yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’)
It was delicious.: Это было великолепно. (EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh)
Please clear the plates.: Можете убрать со стола. (MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH)
The check, please.: Счёт, пожалуйста. (shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?)
Is there table service?: Здесь есть официант? (zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT)
A beer/two beers, please.: Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH)
A bottle, please.: Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: Будьте добры, _____ (hard liquor) с _____ (mixer in ablative form). (...)
whiskey: виски (VEE-skee)
vodka: водка (VOHT-kah)
rum: ром (rohm)
water: вода/ой (vah-DAH / vah-DOY)
club soda: газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY)
tonic water: тоник/ом (TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm)
orange juice: апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm)
Coke (soda): кола/ой (лимонад/ом) (KOH-lah / KOH-luy)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Здесь есть буфет? (zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT)
One more, please.: Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh)
Another round, please.: Повторите, пожалуйста. (puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh)
When is closing time?: Когда вы закрываетесь? (kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?)
I don't drink.: Я вообще не пью. (yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo)
I'm an alcoholic.: Я алкоголик. (yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek)
I cannot drink because of medication.: Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: У вас есть это моего размера? (oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh)
How much is this?: Сколько это стоит? (SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet)
That's too expensive.: Это слишком дорого. (EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh)
Would you take _____?: Вы примете _____? (vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?)
expensive: дорого (DOH-ruh-guh)
cheap: дёшево (DYOH-shyh-vuh)
I can't afford it.: Я не могу себе этого позволить. (yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’)
I don't want it.: Я это не хочу. (yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO)
You're cheating me.: Вы меня обманываете. (vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh)
I'm not interested.: Мне это не интересно.. (mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh)
OK, I'll take it.: Хорошо, я возьму. (khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO)
Can I have a bag?: Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT)
Do you ship (overseas)?: У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh)
Give me two (items of something).: Давайте две. (dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH)
I need...: Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH)
...toothpaste.: ...зубная паста. (ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh)
...a toothbrush.: ...зубная щётка. (ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh)
...tampons.: ...тампоны. (tahm-POH-nyh)
...soap.: ...мыло. (MYH-luh)
...shampoo.: ...шампунь. (shahm-POON’)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...обезболивающее. (ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh)
...cold medicine.: ...лекарство от простуды. (lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh)
...stomach medicine.: ...лекарство от живота. (lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh)
...a razor.: ...бритва. (BREET-vuh)
...an umbrella.: ...зонтик. (ZOHN-teek)
...sunblock lotion.: ...лосьон от загара. (luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh)
...a postcard.: ...открытка. (aht-KRYHT-kah)
...postage stamps.: ...почтовые марки. (pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee)
...batteries.: ...батарейки. (bah-tah-RAY-kee)
...writing paper.: ...бумага. (boo-MAH-guh)
...a pen.: ...ручка. (ROOCH-kuh)
...English-language books.: ...книги на английском языке. (KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH)
...English-language magazines.: ...журналы на английском языке. (zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...газета на английском языке. (gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH)
...a Russian-English dictionary.: ...русско-английский словарь. (ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT)
Can I get insurance?: Я могу взять страховку? (yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo)
Stop (on a street sign): СТОП (stohp)
One way: одностороннее движение (uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh)
Yield: уступите дорогу (oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo)
No parking: парковки нет (pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht)
Speed limit: ограничение скорости (ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee)
Gas (petrol) station: (авто)заправка ((AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh)
Petrol: бензин (been-ZEEN)
Diesel: ДТ (дизельное топливо) (deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh)

My papers are in order

Мои документы в порядке. (muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee) (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!)

It was a misunderstanding.

Мы друг друга не поняли. (myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee)

Take me to the police.

Везите меня в полицию. (vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh)

Where are you taking me?

Куда вы меня везёте? (koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?)

To the police: К полиции. (kpuh-LEE-tsyh)
To my house: К моему дому. (kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo)

Am I under arrest?

Я арестован(а)? (yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm)

Can I just pay a fine now?

Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?) (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.)

I need a receipt

Мне нужна квитанция. (mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh) (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.)

This Russian phrasebook is a star article. It covers all the likely topics of travel conversation, with great information and visuals. If you know of something that has changed, please plunge forward and help it grow!