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Russian Vocabulary for Beginners: Meaning, Stress and Everyday Use

96 English-guided cards: recognise 72 everyday Russian words and expressions in short contexts, then retrieve 24 selected items from clear English cues. Includes Cyrillic stress marks and original examples.

By author Flashcards Open Source App

About this deck

Practise a small, useful set of Russian words and expressions for greeting people, finding things at home, buying food, asking about places and talking about daily activities. This deck is written for English-speaking beginners who can read basic Cyrillic, or are learning it alongside a structured course.

What you retrieve

  • 72 Russian words or expressions → their English meaning in a short Russian context. Noun gender, selected form notes and register are explained where useful.
  • 24 selected English meaning or situation cues → a useful Russian word or expression. These are separate cards; the deck does not reverse every item mechanically. A model answer is supplied, and other natural answers can be valid when they fit the cue.

There are six groups of 16 cards: greetings and help; people and family; home; food and shopping; places and directions; daily activities and time. Each group introduces 12 recognition targets before four selected production tasks. A concept's two tasks have at least three intervening cards. Later review intervals are set by the app.

Stress marks show the stressed vowel in multisyllabic Russian words; ё already indicates stress in the words used here. These learning marks are usually absent from ordinary Russian writing. Monosyllabic words need no added mark. The examples show real forms, so the word in a sentence can have a different ending or stress from its dictionary form: вода́ → во́ду, for example.

This is text-based vocabulary practice. It does not test listening, supply native audio or phonetic transliteration, teach every word meaning, drill full conjugation or case tables, or constitute a complete A1 course or examination preparation. A stress mark alone does not explain all Russian pronunciation, including vowel reduction.

Sources and original work

The selection, English glosses, prompts, examples and order were authored independently with AI assistance. Spelling, lexical stress and relevant forms were checked against Akademos, the normative orthographic resource of the Vinogradov Russian Language Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Its dictionary articles were not copied into these cards. General beginner scope was checked against the Pushkin Institute's beginner outcomes and the Между нами unit-one goals; no course vocabulary inventory, exercises or dialogues were copied.

The cover is an original AI-generated illustration. CC0 applies to the independently authored wording, selection, organization, metadata and original generated cover to the extent applicable rights exist. It does not claim ownership of ordinary language facts or grant rights in the reference websites. This is an independent study supplement, with no affiliation to or endorsement by the named reference providers.

Cards in this deck

  1. Card 1

    Question

    Russian meaning: Здра́вствуйте

    Здра́вствуйте! Как дела́?

    Answer

    hello (polite greeting)

    Здра́вствуйте! Как дела́? — Hello! How are you?

    A polite greeting to one person or a greeting to several people.

  2. Card 2

    Question

    Russian meaning: приве́т

    Приве́т! Я до́ма.

    Answer

    hi; hello (informal)

    Приве́т! Я до́ма. — Hi! I'm home.

    Use with friends or people you address informally.

  3. Card 3

    Question

    Russian meaning: спаси́бо

    Спаси́бо за по́мощь.

    Answer

    thank you

    Спаси́бо за по́мощь. — Thank you for your help.

    A common expression of thanks.

  4. Card 4

    Question

    Russian meaning: пожа́луйста

    Во́ду, пожа́луйста.

    Answer

    please (in this request)

    Во́ду, пожа́луйста. — Water, please.

    It also means “you're welcome” when responding to thanks.

  5. Card 5

    Question

    Russian meaning: извини́те

    Извини́те, где апте́ка?

    Answer

    excuse me; I'm sorry (polite)

    Извини́те, где апте́ка? — Excuse me, where is the pharmacy?

    A polite form for one person or a form for several people. Informal singular: извини́.

  6. Card 6

    Question

    Russian meaning: да

    Да, я гото́в.

    Answer

    yes

    Да, я гото́в. — Yes, I'm ready.

    The example uses the masculine form гото́в.

  7. Card 7

    Question

    Russian meaning: нет

    Нет, я не зна́ю.

    Answer

    no

    Нет, я не зна́ю. — No, I don't know.

    In other constructions нет can mean “there is no” or “do not have.”

  8. Card 8

    Question

    Russian meaning: хорошо́

    Всё хорошо́.

    Answer

    well; fine

    Всё хорошо́. — Everything is fine.

    Here it describes how things are going.

  9. Card 9

    Question

    Russian meaning: мо́жно

    Мо́жно войти́?

    Answer

    may; can; it is allowed

    Мо́жно войти́? — May I come in?

    In this request it asks permission.

  10. Card 10

    Question

    Russian meaning: ну́жно

    Мне ну́жно рабо́тать.

    Answer

    need to; it is necessary

    Мне ну́жно рабо́тать. — I need to work.

    Мне ну́жно + infinitive expresses something I need to do.

  11. Card 11

    Question

    Russian meaning: где

    Где мой ключ?

    Answer

    where (location)

    Где мой ключ? — Where is my key?

    Где asks about location. It does not mean “where to.”

  12. Card 12

    Question

    Russian meaning: когда́

    Когда́ обе́д?

    Answer

    when

    Когда́ обе́д? — When is lunch?

    A question word for time.

  13. Card 13

    Question

    Russian, polite greeting: Say “hello” to a shop assistant you do not know.

    Answer

    Здра́вствуйте.

    A polite greeting. Приве́т is informal.

  14. Card 14

    Question

    Russian: Thank someone for helping you. Give the short expression for “thank you.”

    Answer

    Спаси́бо.

    For “thank you for your help”: Спаси́бо за по́мощь.

  15. Card 15

    Question

    Russian: Add “please” to a request for water. Give only the word for “please.”

    Answer

    Пожа́луйста.

    Во́ду, пожа́луйста. — Water, please.

  16. Card 16

    Question

    Russian, polite singular: Get a stranger’s attention with “excuse me.”

    Answer

    Извини́те.

    Извини́те, где апте́ка? — Excuse me, where is the pharmacy?

  17. Card 17

    Question

    Russian meaning: челове́к

    Э́тот челове́к здесь рабо́тает.

    Answer

    person; human being

    Э́тот челове́к здесь рабо́тает. — This person works here.

    Masculine noun. The ordinary plural “people” is лю́ди.

  18. Card 18

    Question

    Russian meaning: же́нщина

    Э́та же́нщина — врач.

    Answer

    woman

    Э́та же́нщина — врач. — This woman is a doctor.

    Feminine noun.

  19. Card 19

    Question

    Russian meaning: мужчи́на

    Э́тот мужчи́на — учи́тель.

    Answer

    man (adult male)

    Э́тот мужчи́на — учи́тель. — This man is a teacher.

    Masculine noun despite its ending in -а.

  20. Card 20

    Question

    Russian meaning: ребёнок

    Ребёнок спит.

    Answer

    child

    Ребёнок спит. — The child is sleeping.

    Masculine noun. The ordinary plural “children” is де́ти. Ё marks the stressed vowel here.

  21. Card 21

    Question

    Russian meaning: друг

    Мой друг живёт ря́дом.

    Answer

    friend (male)

    Мой друг живёт ря́дом. — My friend lives nearby.

    Masculine noun; a female friend is подру́га.

  22. Card 22

    Question

    Russian meaning: семья́

    У меня́ больша́я семья́.

    Answer

    family

    У меня́ больша́я семья́. — I have a large family.

    Feminine noun.

  23. Card 23

    Question

    Russian meaning: ма́ма

    Ма́ма до́ма.

    Answer

    mum; mom

    Ма́ма до́ма. — Mum is at home.

    Feminine noun; a familiar family word.

  24. Card 24

    Question

    Russian meaning: па́па

    Па́па на рабо́те.

    Answer

    dad

    Па́па на рабо́те. — Dad is at work.

    Masculine noun despite its ending in -а.

  25. Card 25

    Question

    Russian meaning: брат

    Мой брат чита́ет.

    Answer

    brother

    Мой брат чита́ет. — My brother is reading.

    Masculine noun.

  26. Card 26

    Question

    Russian meaning: сестра́

    Моя́ сестра́ у́чится.

    Answer

    sister

    Моя́ сестра́ у́чится. — My sister is studying.

    Feminine noun.

  27. Card 27

    Question

    Russian meaning: и́мя

    Моё и́мя — А́нна.

    Answer

    name (a person's name)

    Моё и́мя — А́нна. — My name is Anna.

    Neuter noun. The more general name of a thing can be назва́ние.

  28. Card 28

    Question

    Russian meaning: рабо́та

    У меня́ но́вая рабо́та.

    Answer

    work; job

    У меня́ но́вая рабо́та. — I have a new job.

    Feminine noun. In this example it means “job.”

  29. Card 29

    Question

    Russian noun: a family, such as parents and children.

    Answer

    Семья́.

    Feminine. У меня́ больша́я семья́. — I have a large family.

  30. Card 30

    Question

    Russian noun: a male friend.

    Answer

    Друг.

    Masculine. A female friend is подру́га.

  31. Card 31

    Question

    Russian noun: a person’s name, as in “What is your name?”

    Answer

    И́мя.

    Neuter. Моё и́мя — А́нна. — My name is Anna.

  32. Card 32

    Question

    Russian noun: a job, as in “I have a new job.”

    Answer

    Рабо́та.

    Feminine. У меня́ но́вая рабо́та. — I have a new job.

  33. Card 33

    Question

    Russian meaning: дом

    Э́то наш дом.

    Answer

    house; home

    Э́то наш дом. — This is our house.

    Masculine noun. The example identifies a house or home.

  34. Card 34

    Question

    Russian meaning: кварти́ра

    У нас ма́ленькая кварти́ра.

    Answer

    flat; apartment

    У нас ма́ленькая кварти́ра. — We have a small flat.

    Feminine noun.

  35. Card 35

    Question

    Russian meaning: ко́мната

    Э́та ко́мната све́тлая.

    Answer

    room

    Э́та ко́мната све́тлая. — This room is bright.

    Feminine noun.

  36. Card 36

    Question

    Russian meaning: дверь

    Дверь закры́та.

    Answer

    door

    Дверь закры́та. — The door is closed.

    Feminine noun despite having no -а ending.

  37. Card 37

    Question

    Russian meaning: окно́

    Окно́ откры́то.

    Answer

    window

    Окно́ откры́то. — The window is open.

    Neuter noun.

  38. Card 38

    Question

    Russian meaning: стол

    Кни́га на столе́.

    Answer

    table; desk

    Кни́га на столе́. — The book is on the table.

    Masculine noun. Столе́ is the form used here after на for location.

  39. Card 39

    Question

    Russian meaning: стул

    Э́тот стул свобо́ден.

    Answer

    chair

    Э́тот стул свобо́ден. — This chair is free.

    Masculine noun.

  40. Card 40

    Question

    Russian meaning: крова́ть

    Крова́ть у окна́.

    Answer

    bed

    Крова́ть у окна́. — The bed is by the window.

    Feminine noun.

  41. Card 41

    Question

    Russian meaning: ку́хня

    Ку́хня спра́ва.

    Answer

    kitchen

    Ку́хня спра́ва. — The kitchen is on the right.

    Feminine noun.

  42. Card 42

    Question

    Russian meaning: ва́нная

    Ва́нная сле́ва.

    Answer

    bathroom

    Ва́нная сле́ва. — The bathroom is on the left.

    Feminine noun, also expressed as ва́нная ко́мната.

  43. Card 43

    Question

    Russian meaning: ключ

    Ключ на столе́.

    Answer

    key (for a lock)

    Ключ на столе́. — The key is on the table.

    Masculine noun. This example uses the lock-key meaning.

  44. Card 44

    Question

    Russian meaning: телефо́н

    Мой телефо́н здесь.

    Answer

    telephone; phone

    Мой телефо́н здесь. — My phone is here.

    Masculine noun.

  45. Card 45

    Question

    Russian noun: a flat or apartment.

    Answer

    Кварти́ра.

    Feminine. У нас ма́ленькая кварти́ра. — We have a small flat.

  46. Card 46

    Question

    Russian noun: the door to a room.

    Answer

    Дверь.

    Feminine. Дверь закры́та. — The door is closed.

  47. Card 47

    Question

    Russian noun: a window.

    Answer

    Окно́.

    Neuter. Окно́ откры́то. — The window is open.

  48. Card 48

    Question

    Russian noun: a key that opens a lock.

    Answer

    Ключ.

    Masculine. Ключ на столе́. — The key is on the table.

  49. Card 49

    Question

    Russian meaning: вода́

    Вода́ холо́дная.

    Answer

    water

    Вода́ холо́дная. — The water is cold.

    Feminine noun.

  50. Card 50

    Question

    Russian meaning: хлеб

    Хлеб на столе́.

    Answer

    bread

    Хлеб на столе́. — The bread is on the table.

    Masculine noun.

  51. Card 51

    Question

    Russian meaning: молоко́

    Молоко́ в холоди́льнике.

    Answer

    milk

    Молоко́ в холоди́льнике. — The milk is in the fridge.

    Neuter noun.

  52. Card 52

    Question

    Russian meaning: чай

    Я пью чай.

    Answer

    tea

    Я пью чай. — I'm drinking tea.

    Masculine noun.

  53. Card 53

    Question

    Russian meaning: ко́фе

    Ко́фе гото́в.

    Answer

    coffee

    Ко́фе гото́в. — The coffee is ready.

    Masculine in the standard usage practised here; the noun does not change its ending.

  54. Card 54

    Question

    Russian meaning: суп

    Суп горя́чий.

    Answer

    soup

    Суп горя́чий. — The soup is hot.

    Masculine noun.

  55. Card 55

    Question

    Russian meaning: я́блоко

    Э́то кра́сное я́блоко.

    Answer

    apple

    Э́то кра́сное я́блоко. — This is a red apple.

    Neuter noun.

  56. Card 56

    Question

    Russian meaning: сыр

    Сыр в холоди́льнике.

    Answer

    cheese

    Сыр в холоди́льнике. — The cheese is in the fridge.

    Masculine noun.

  57. Card 57

    Question

    Russian meaning: са́хар

    Са́хар на по́лке.

    Answer

    sugar

    Са́хар на по́лке. — The sugar is on the shelf.

    Masculine noun.

  58. Card 58

    Question

    Russian meaning: соль

    Мне нужна́ соль.

    Answer

    salt

    Мне нужна́ соль. — I need salt.

    Feminine noun.

  59. Card 59

    Question

    Russian meaning: магази́н

    Магази́н уже́ откры́т.

    Answer

    shop; store

    Магази́н уже́ откры́т. — The shop is already open.

    Masculine noun. It does not mean an English-language magazine.

  60. Card 60

    Question

    Russian meaning: цена́

    Цена́ сли́шком высо́кая.

    Answer

    price

    Цена́ сли́шком высо́кая. — The price is too high.

    Feminine noun.

  61. Card 61

    Question

    Russian noun: water. Give its dictionary form.

    Answer

    Вода́.

    Feminine. A direct request uses во́ду: Во́ду, пожа́луйста. — Water, please.

  62. Card 62

    Question

    Russian noun: bread.

    Answer

    Хлеб.

    Masculine. Хлеб на столе́. — The bread is on the table.

  63. Card 63

    Question

    Russian noun: milk.

    Answer

    Молоко́.

    Neuter. Молоко́ в холоди́льнике. — The milk is in the fridge.

  64. Card 64

    Question

    Russian noun: the price of an item.

    Answer

    Цена́.

    Feminine. Цена́ сли́шком высо́кая. — The price is too high.

  65. Card 65

    Question

    Russian meaning: у́лица

    Э́та у́лица ти́хая.

    Answer

    street

    Э́та у́лица ти́хая. — This street is quiet.

    Feminine noun.

  66. Card 66

    Question

    Russian meaning: го́род

    Э́то большо́й го́род.

    Answer

    city; town

    Э́то большо́й го́род. — This is a large city.

    Masculine noun.

  67. Card 67

    Question

    Russian meaning: остано́вка

    Остано́вка ря́дом.

    Answer

    stop (for a bus or tram)

    Остано́вка ря́дом. — The stop is nearby.

    Feminine noun. Here it means a public-transport stop.

  68. Card 68

    Question

    Russian meaning: ста́нция

    Э́та ста́нция метро́ закры́та.

    Answer

    station (railway or metro)

    Э́та ста́нция метро́ закры́та. — This metro station is closed.

    Feminine noun. Вокза́л usually means the station building or passenger terminal.

  69. Card 69

    Question

    Russian meaning: вокза́л

    Вокза́л далеко́.

    Answer

    railway station; passenger terminal

    Вокза́л далеко́. — The railway station is far away.

    Masculine noun; commonly used for the railway station building or terminal.

  70. Card 70

    Question

    Russian meaning: апте́ка

    Апте́ка ря́дом.

    Answer

    pharmacy; chemist's

    Апте́ка ря́дом. — The pharmacy is nearby.

    Feminine noun.

  71. Card 71

    Question

    Russian meaning: банк

    Банк откры́т.

    Answer

    bank (financial institution)

    Банк откры́т. — The bank is open.

    Masculine noun.

  72. Card 72

    Question

    Russian meaning: парк

    Парк недалеко́.

    Answer

    park

    Парк недалеко́. — The park is not far away.

    Masculine noun.

  73. Card 73

    Question

    Russian meaning: нале́во

    Поверни́те нале́во.

    Answer

    to the left; left

    Поверни́те нале́во. — Turn left.

    An adverb used for a direction of movement.

  74. Card 74

    Question

    Russian meaning: напра́во

    Поверни́те напра́во.

    Answer

    to the right; right

    Поверни́те напра́во. — Turn right.

    An adverb used for a direction of movement.

  75. Card 75

    Question

    Russian meaning: пря́мо

    Иди́те пря́мо.

    Answer

    straight ahead (here)

    Иди́те пря́мо. — Go straight ahead.

    It has other meanings, but this card practises a direction.

  76. Card 76

    Question

    Russian meaning: ря́дом

    Магази́н ря́дом.

    Answer

    nearby; next to

    Магази́н ря́дом. — The shop is nearby.

    Ря́дом с + instrumental means “next to.” This card tests the standalone meaning.

  77. Card 77

    Question

    Russian noun: a pharmacy where medicines are sold.

    Answer

    Апте́ка.

    Feminine. Апте́ка ря́дом. — The pharmacy is nearby.

  78. Card 78

    Question

    Russian direction: turn left. Give only the adverb for “left.”

    Answer

    Нале́во.

    Поверни́те нале́во. — Turn left.

  79. Card 79

    Question

    Russian direction: go straight ahead. Give only the adverb for “straight ahead.”

    Answer

    Пря́мо.

    Иди́те пря́мо. — Go straight ahead.

  80. Card 80

    Question

    Russian adverb: nearby, as in “The shop is nearby.”

    Answer

    Ря́дом.

    Магази́н ря́дом. — The shop is nearby.

  81. Card 81

    Question

    Russian meaning: чита́ть

    Я люблю́ чита́ть.

    Answer

    to read

    Я люблю́ чита́ть. — I like reading.

    Imperfective infinitive; this card tests the meaning, not conjugation.

  82. Card 82

    Question

    Russian meaning: писа́ть

    Я хочу́ писа́ть.

    Answer

    to write

    Я хочу́ писа́ть. — I want to write.

    Imperfective infinitive. The stressed final а distinguishes this verb from пи́сать, a colloquial verb meaning “to pee.”

  83. Card 83

    Question

    Russian meaning: говори́ть

    Я могу́ говори́ть по-ру́сски.

    Answer

    to speak; to talk

    Я могу́ говори́ть по-ру́сски. — I can speak Russian.

    Imperfective infinitive.

  84. Card 84

    Question

    Russian meaning: слу́шать

    Я люблю́ слу́шать му́зыку.

    Answer

    to listen to

    Я люблю́ слу́шать му́зыку. — I like listening to music.

    Imperfective infinitive. Russian uses слу́шать + a direct object, without a separate word for “to.”

  85. Card 85

    Question

    Russian meaning: смотре́ть

    Мы бу́дем смотре́ть фильм.

    Answer

    to watch; to look

    Мы бу́дем смотре́ть фильм. — We will watch a film.

    Imperfective infinitive; the example uses “watch.”

  86. Card 86

    Question

    Russian meaning: жить

    Я хочу́ жить здесь.

    Answer

    to live

    Я хочу́ жить здесь. — I want to live here.

    Imperfective infinitive.

  87. Card 87

    Question

    Russian meaning: рабо́тать

    Здесь мо́жно рабо́тать.

    Answer

    to work

    Здесь мо́жно рабо́тать. — You can work here.

    Imperfective infinitive.

  88. Card 88

    Question

    Russian meaning: учи́ться

    Мне нра́вится учи́ться.

    Answer

    to study; to learn

    Мне нра́вится учи́ться. — I like studying.

    Imperfective reflexive infinitive. It ends in -ся.

  89. Card 89

    Question

    Russian meaning: сего́дня

    Сего́дня понеде́льник.

    Answer

    today

    Сего́дня понеде́льник. — Today is Monday.

    An adverb of time; the example is a practice sentence, not today's date.

  90. Card 90

    Question

    Russian meaning: за́втра

    До за́втра!

    Answer

    tomorrow

    До за́втра! — See you tomorrow!

    The full expression literally means “until tomorrow.”

  91. Card 91

    Question

    Russian meaning: у́тром

    Я рабо́таю у́тром.

    Answer

    in the morning

    Я рабо́таю у́тром. — I work in the morning.

    An adverb of time. Compare the noun у́тро, “morning.”

  92. Card 92

    Question

    Russian meaning: ве́чером

    Ве́чером я чита́ю.

    Answer

    in the evening

    Ве́чером я чита́ю. — I read in the evening.

    An adverb of time. Compare the noun ве́чер, “evening.”

  93. Card 93

    Question

    Russian infinitive: to read.

    Answer

    Чита́ть.

    Imperfective. Я люблю́ чита́ть. — I like reading.

  94. Card 94

    Question

    Russian infinitive: to write. Mark the stressed vowel.

    Answer

    Писа́ть.

    Stress falls on а. Я хочу́ писа́ть. — I want to write.

  95. Card 95

    Question

    Russian: tomorrow.

    Answer

    За́втра.

    До за́втра! — See you tomorrow!

  96. Card 96

    Question

    Russian: in the morning. Give the single-word time expression.

    Answer

    У́тром.

    Я рабо́таю у́тром. — I work in the morning.

A neighbor greets someone at an apartment doorway beside groceries, a key and a glass of water.

96 cards

Russian Vocabulary for Beginners: Meaning, Stress and Everyday Use

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