Russian phrases with pronunciation

Basic Russian phrases with stress and speaking guidance

Russian pronunciation becomes more predictable when you learn the stressed syllable with the phrase. Start with a polite café conversation, then practise what to say when the answer contains a word you do not know.

1See the stressed syllable
2Make a polite request
3Complete one café dialogue
Practical answer

Learn the phrase, its stress, and the reply it may produce

Stress marks below are learning aids and are not normally written in everyday Russian. Use them to notice the strongest syllable, then practise the phrase in Cyrillic without relying on English transliteration.

Mark word stress

Unstressed vowels can sound different from their written form.

Practise: Learn the stressed syllable together with every new word.

Use polite frames

Пожалуйста and будьте добры make a request easier to reuse.

Practise: Practise the complete frame before changing the item.

Expect a follow-up

Ordering often leads to a size, side, or payment question.

Practise: Prepare one recovery phrase and one clarification question.

Use it in context

Useful Russian phrases and speaking cues

Say each complete phrase, read what it does in the conversation, and use the speaking cue to make the important sound or rhythm clearer.

Say hello politelyЗдра́вствуйте.Hello.Speaking focus: Stress здра́в; begin slowly through the consonant cluster without inserting an extra vowel.
Say pleaseПожа́луйста.Please / you are welcome.Speaking focus: Stress жа́ and keep the middle light in natural speech.
Say thank youСпаси́бо.Thank you.Speaking focus: Stress си́; the final о is unstressed.
Make an orderМне, пожа́луйста, чай.Tea for me, please.Speaking focus: Stress жа́ in пожалуйста and say чай as one clear syllable.
Ask the priceСко́лько э́то сто́ит?How much does this cost?Speaking focus: Each marked word carries clear stress: ско́лько, э́то, сто́ит.
Ask where something isГде туале́т?Where is the toilet?Speaking focus: Stress ле́ in туалет.
Say you do not understandЯ не понима́ю.I do not understand.Speaking focus: Stress ма́; keep the final ю light.
Ask for repetitionПовтори́те, пожа́луйста.Repeat, please.Speaking focus: Stress ри́ and жа́.
Ask for slower speechГовори́те, пожа́луйста, ме́дленнее.Please speak more slowly.Speaking focus: Stress ри́, жа́, and ме́д.
Ask what something meansЧто э́то зна́чит?What does this mean?Speaking focus: Stress э́ and зна́.
Complete example

A realistic beginning-to-end conversation

Read both roles once. Then cover the “You” turns and produce your own reply before checking the example.

ServerЗдра́вствуйте! Что вы бу́дете зака́зывать?Hello! What will you order?
YouЗдра́вствуйте. Мне, пожа́луйста, чай и сала́т.Hello. Tea and a salad for me, please.
ServerКако́й чай: чёрный или зелёный?Which tea: black or green?
YouПовтори́те, пожа́луйста, ме́дленнее.Repeat more slowly, please.
ServerЧёрный чай или зелёный чай?Black tea or green tea?
YouЗелёный чай, пожа́луйста.Green tea, please.
ServerХорошо́. Что-нибу́дь ещё?Okay. Anything else?
YouНет, спаси́бо. Ско́лько э́то сто́ит?No, thank you. How much does it cost?
Unexpected turn

Prepare for the question that changes the script

К сожа́лению, сала́та нет. Мо́жно предложи́ть суп?
Unfortunately, there is no salad. May I offer soup?

Pause, answer the main point, then add one useful detail:

Да, пожа́луйста. Како́й сего́дня суп?
Yes, please. What soup is there today?

Speaking guidance

Make the next reply easier to produce

  • Stress is part of the word. Record it in your notes and practise it from the first repetition rather than correcting it later.
  • Unstressed о often moves toward an а-like sound. Keep the written form for recognition, but listen for the spoken word as a whole.
  • Cyrillic gives you direct access to Russian sound patterns. Use transliteration only as a temporary check, not as the main text you rehearse.
Practise now

A focused ten-minute rehearsal

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Goal for SpeakAvatar

Practise ordering in a Russian café: greet the server, order a drink and food, choose between options, ask for slower speech, ask the price, and handle an unavailable item.

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