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.
Sobre este mazo
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.
Tarjetas de este mazo
Tarjeta 1
Pregunta
Russian meaning: Здра́вствуйте
Здра́вствуйте! Как дела́?
Respuesta
hello (polite greeting)
Здра́вствуйте! Как дела́? — Hello! How are you?
A polite greeting to one person or a greeting to several people.
Tarjeta 2
Pregunta
Russian meaning: приве́т
Приве́т! Я до́ма.
Respuesta
hi; hello (informal)
Приве́т! Я до́ма. — Hi! I'm home.
Use with friends or people you address informally.
Tarjeta 3
Pregunta
Russian meaning: спаси́бо
Спаси́бо за по́мощь.
Respuesta
thank you
Спаси́бо за по́мощь. — Thank you for your help.
A common expression of thanks.
Tarjeta 4
Pregunta
Russian meaning: пожа́луйста
Во́ду, пожа́луйста.
Respuesta
please (in this request)
Во́ду, пожа́луйста. — Water, please.
It also means “you're welcome” when responding to thanks.
Tarjeta 5
Pregunta
Russian meaning: извини́те
Извини́те, где апте́ка?
Respuesta
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.
Tarjeta 6
Pregunta
Russian meaning: да
Да, я гото́в.
Respuesta
yes
Да, я гото́в. — Yes, I'm ready.
The example uses the masculine form гото́в.
Tarjeta 7
Pregunta
Russian meaning: нет
Нет, я не зна́ю.
Respuesta
no
Нет, я не зна́ю. — No, I don't know.
In other constructions нет can mean “there is no” or “do not have.”
Tarjeta 8
Pregunta
Russian meaning: хорошо́
Всё хорошо́.
Respuesta
well; fine
Всё хорошо́. — Everything is fine.
Here it describes how things are going.
Tarjeta 9
Pregunta
Russian meaning: мо́жно
Мо́жно войти́?
Respuesta
may; can; it is allowed
Мо́жно войти́? — May I come in?
In this request it asks permission.
Tarjeta 10
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ну́жно
Мне ну́жно рабо́тать.
Respuesta
need to; it is necessary
Мне ну́жно рабо́тать. — I need to work.
Мне ну́жно + infinitive expresses something I need to do.
Tarjeta 11
Pregunta
Russian meaning: где
Где мой ключ?
Respuesta
where (location)
Где мой ключ? — Where is my key?
Где asks about location. It does not mean “where to.”
Tarjeta 12
Pregunta
Russian meaning: когда́
Когда́ обе́д?
Respuesta
when
Когда́ обе́д? — When is lunch?
A question word for time.
Tarjeta 13
Pregunta
Russian, polite greeting: Say “hello” to a shop assistant you do not know.
Respuesta
Здра́вствуйте.
A polite greeting. Приве́т is informal.
Tarjeta 14
Pregunta
Russian: Thank someone for helping you. Give the short expression for “thank you.”
Respuesta
Спаси́бо.
For “thank you for your help”: Спаси́бо за по́мощь.
Tarjeta 15
Pregunta
Russian: Add “please” to a request for water. Give only the word for “please.”
Respuesta
Пожа́луйста.
Во́ду, пожа́луйста. — Water, please.
Tarjeta 16
Pregunta
Russian, polite singular: Get a stranger’s attention with “excuse me.”
Respuesta
Извини́те.
Извини́те, где апте́ка? — Excuse me, where is the pharmacy?
Tarjeta 17
Pregunta
Russian meaning: челове́к
Э́тот челове́к здесь рабо́тает.
Respuesta
person; human being
Э́тот челове́к здесь рабо́тает. — This person works here.
Masculine noun. The ordinary plural “people” is лю́ди.
Tarjeta 18
Pregunta
Russian meaning: же́нщина
Э́та же́нщина — врач.
Respuesta
woman
Э́та же́нщина — врач. — This woman is a doctor.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 19
Pregunta
Russian meaning: мужчи́на
Э́тот мужчи́на — учи́тель.
Respuesta
man (adult male)
Э́тот мужчи́на — учи́тель. — This man is a teacher.
Masculine noun despite its ending in -а.
Tarjeta 20
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ребёнок
Ребёнок спит.
Respuesta
child
Ребёнок спит. — The child is sleeping.
Masculine noun. The ordinary plural “children” is де́ти. Ё marks the stressed vowel here.
Tarjeta 21
Pregunta
Russian meaning: друг
Мой друг живёт ря́дом.
Respuesta
friend (male)
Мой друг живёт ря́дом. — My friend lives nearby.
Masculine noun; a female friend is подру́га.
Tarjeta 22
Pregunta
Russian meaning: семья́
У меня́ больша́я семья́.
Respuesta
family
У меня́ больша́я семья́. — I have a large family.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 23
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ма́ма
Ма́ма до́ма.
Respuesta
mum; mom
Ма́ма до́ма. — Mum is at home.
Feminine noun; a familiar family word.
Tarjeta 24
Pregunta
Russian meaning: па́па
Па́па на рабо́те.
Respuesta
dad
Па́па на рабо́те. — Dad is at work.
Masculine noun despite its ending in -а.
Tarjeta 25
Pregunta
Russian meaning: брат
Мой брат чита́ет.
Respuesta
brother
Мой брат чита́ет. — My brother is reading.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 26
Pregunta
Russian meaning: сестра́
Моя́ сестра́ у́чится.
Respuesta
sister
Моя́ сестра́ у́чится. — My sister is studying.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 27
Pregunta
Russian meaning: и́мя
Моё и́мя — А́нна.
Respuesta
name (a person's name)
Моё и́мя — А́нна. — My name is Anna.
Neuter noun. The more general name of a thing can be назва́ние.
Tarjeta 28
Pregunta
Russian meaning: рабо́та
У меня́ но́вая рабо́та.
Respuesta
work; job
У меня́ но́вая рабо́та. — I have a new job.
Feminine noun. In this example it means “job.”
Tarjeta 29
Pregunta
Russian noun: a family, such as parents and children.
Respuesta
Семья́.
Feminine. У меня́ больша́я семья́. — I have a large family.
Tarjeta 30
Pregunta
Russian noun: a male friend.
Respuesta
Друг.
Masculine. A female friend is подру́га.
Tarjeta 31
Pregunta
Russian noun: a person’s name, as in “What is your name?”
Respuesta
И́мя.
Neuter. Моё и́мя — А́нна. — My name is Anna.
Tarjeta 32
Pregunta
Russian noun: a job, as in “I have a new job.”
Respuesta
Рабо́та.
Feminine. У меня́ но́вая рабо́та. — I have a new job.
Tarjeta 33
Pregunta
Russian meaning: дом
Э́то наш дом.
Respuesta
house; home
Э́то наш дом. — This is our house.
Masculine noun. The example identifies a house or home.
Tarjeta 34
Pregunta
Russian meaning: кварти́ра
У нас ма́ленькая кварти́ра.
Respuesta
flat; apartment
У нас ма́ленькая кварти́ра. — We have a small flat.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 35
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ко́мната
Э́та ко́мната све́тлая.
Respuesta
room
Э́та ко́мната све́тлая. — This room is bright.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 36
Pregunta
Russian meaning: дверь
Дверь закры́та.
Respuesta
door
Дверь закры́та. — The door is closed.
Feminine noun despite having no -а ending.
Tarjeta 37
Pregunta
Russian meaning: окно́
Окно́ откры́то.
Respuesta
window
Окно́ откры́то. — The window is open.
Neuter noun.
Tarjeta 38
Pregunta
Russian meaning: стол
Кни́га на столе́.
Respuesta
table; desk
Кни́га на столе́. — The book is on the table.
Masculine noun. Столе́ is the form used here after на for location.
Tarjeta 39
Pregunta
Russian meaning: стул
Э́тот стул свобо́ден.
Respuesta
chair
Э́тот стул свобо́ден. — This chair is free.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 40
Pregunta
Russian meaning: крова́ть
Крова́ть у окна́.
Respuesta
bed
Крова́ть у окна́. — The bed is by the window.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 41
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ку́хня
Ку́хня спра́ва.
Respuesta
kitchen
Ку́хня спра́ва. — The kitchen is on the right.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 42
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ва́нная
Ва́нная сле́ва.
Respuesta
bathroom
Ва́нная сле́ва. — The bathroom is on the left.
Feminine noun, also expressed as ва́нная ко́мната.
Tarjeta 43
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ключ
Ключ на столе́.
Respuesta
key (for a lock)
Ключ на столе́. — The key is on the table.
Masculine noun. This example uses the lock-key meaning.
Tarjeta 44
Pregunta
Russian meaning: телефо́н
Мой телефо́н здесь.
Respuesta
telephone; phone
Мой телефо́н здесь. — My phone is here.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 45
Pregunta
Russian noun: a flat or apartment.
Respuesta
Кварти́ра.
Feminine. У нас ма́ленькая кварти́ра. — We have a small flat.
Tarjeta 46
Pregunta
Russian noun: the door to a room.
Respuesta
Дверь.
Feminine. Дверь закры́та. — The door is closed.
Tarjeta 47
Pregunta
Russian noun: a window.
Respuesta
Окно́.
Neuter. Окно́ откры́то. — The window is open.
Tarjeta 48
Pregunta
Russian noun: a key that opens a lock.
Respuesta
Ключ.
Masculine. Ключ на столе́. — The key is on the table.
Tarjeta 49
Pregunta
Russian meaning: вода́
Вода́ холо́дная.
Respuesta
water
Вода́ холо́дная. — The water is cold.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 50
Pregunta
Russian meaning: хлеб
Хлеб на столе́.
Respuesta
bread
Хлеб на столе́. — The bread is on the table.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 51
Pregunta
Russian meaning: молоко́
Молоко́ в холоди́льнике.
Respuesta
milk
Молоко́ в холоди́льнике. — The milk is in the fridge.
Neuter noun.
Tarjeta 52
Pregunta
Russian meaning: чай
Я пью чай.
Respuesta
tea
Я пью чай. — I'm drinking tea.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 53
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ко́фе
Ко́фе гото́в.
Respuesta
coffee
Ко́фе гото́в. — The coffee is ready.
Masculine in the standard usage practised here; the noun does not change its ending.
Tarjeta 54
Pregunta
Russian meaning: суп
Суп горя́чий.
Respuesta
soup
Суп горя́чий. — The soup is hot.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 55
Pregunta
Russian meaning: я́блоко
Э́то кра́сное я́блоко.
Respuesta
apple
Э́то кра́сное я́блоко. — This is a red apple.
Neuter noun.
Tarjeta 56
Pregunta
Russian meaning: сыр
Сыр в холоди́льнике.
Respuesta
cheese
Сыр в холоди́льнике. — The cheese is in the fridge.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 57
Pregunta
Russian meaning: са́хар
Са́хар на по́лке.
Respuesta
sugar
Са́хар на по́лке. — The sugar is on the shelf.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 58
Pregunta
Russian meaning: соль
Мне нужна́ соль.
Respuesta
salt
Мне нужна́ соль. — I need salt.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 59
Pregunta
Russian meaning: магази́н
Магази́н уже́ откры́т.
Respuesta
shop; store
Магази́н уже́ откры́т. — The shop is already open.
Masculine noun. It does not mean an English-language magazine.
Tarjeta 60
Pregunta
Russian meaning: цена́
Цена́ сли́шком высо́кая.
Respuesta
price
Цена́ сли́шком высо́кая. — The price is too high.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 61
Pregunta
Russian noun: water. Give its dictionary form.
Respuesta
Вода́.
Feminine. A direct request uses во́ду: Во́ду, пожа́луйста. — Water, please.
Tarjeta 62
Pregunta
Russian noun: bread.
Respuesta
Хлеб.
Masculine. Хлеб на столе́. — The bread is on the table.
Tarjeta 63
Pregunta
Russian noun: milk.
Respuesta
Молоко́.
Neuter. Молоко́ в холоди́льнике. — The milk is in the fridge.
Tarjeta 64
Pregunta
Russian noun: the price of an item.
Respuesta
Цена́.
Feminine. Цена́ сли́шком высо́кая. — The price is too high.
Tarjeta 65
Pregunta
Russian meaning: у́лица
Э́та у́лица ти́хая.
Respuesta
street
Э́та у́лица ти́хая. — This street is quiet.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 66
Pregunta
Russian meaning: го́род
Э́то большо́й го́род.
Respuesta
city; town
Э́то большо́й го́род. — This is a large city.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 67
Pregunta
Russian meaning: остано́вка
Остано́вка ря́дом.
Respuesta
stop (for a bus or tram)
Остано́вка ря́дом. — The stop is nearby.
Feminine noun. Here it means a public-transport stop.
Tarjeta 68
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ста́нция
Э́та ста́нция метро́ закры́та.
Respuesta
station (railway or metro)
Э́та ста́нция метро́ закры́та. — This metro station is closed.
Feminine noun. Вокза́л usually means the station building or passenger terminal.
Tarjeta 69
Pregunta
Russian meaning: вокза́л
Вокза́л далеко́.
Respuesta
railway station; passenger terminal
Вокза́л далеко́. — The railway station is far away.
Masculine noun; commonly used for the railway station building or terminal.
Tarjeta 70
Pregunta
Russian meaning: апте́ка
Апте́ка ря́дом.
Respuesta
pharmacy; chemist's
Апте́ка ря́дом. — The pharmacy is nearby.
Feminine noun.
Tarjeta 71
Pregunta
Russian meaning: банк
Банк откры́т.
Respuesta
bank (financial institution)
Банк откры́т. — The bank is open.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 72
Pregunta
Russian meaning: парк
Парк недалеко́.
Respuesta
park
Парк недалеко́. — The park is not far away.
Masculine noun.
Tarjeta 73
Pregunta
Russian meaning: нале́во
Поверни́те нале́во.
Respuesta
to the left; left
Поверни́те нале́во. — Turn left.
An adverb used for a direction of movement.
Tarjeta 74
Pregunta
Russian meaning: напра́во
Поверни́те напра́во.
Respuesta
to the right; right
Поверни́те напра́во. — Turn right.
An adverb used for a direction of movement.
Tarjeta 75
Pregunta
Russian meaning: пря́мо
Иди́те пря́мо.
Respuesta
straight ahead (here)
Иди́те пря́мо. — Go straight ahead.
It has other meanings, but this card practises a direction.
Tarjeta 76
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ря́дом
Магази́н ря́дом.
Respuesta
nearby; next to
Магази́н ря́дом. — The shop is nearby.
Ря́дом с + instrumental means “next to.” This card tests the standalone meaning.
Tarjeta 77
Pregunta
Russian noun: a pharmacy where medicines are sold.
Respuesta
Апте́ка.
Feminine. Апте́ка ря́дом. — The pharmacy is nearby.
Tarjeta 78
Pregunta
Russian direction: turn left. Give only the adverb for “left.”
Respuesta
Нале́во.
Поверни́те нале́во. — Turn left.
Tarjeta 79
Pregunta
Russian direction: go straight ahead. Give only the adverb for “straight ahead.”
Respuesta
Пря́мо.
Иди́те пря́мо. — Go straight ahead.
Tarjeta 80
Pregunta
Russian adverb: nearby, as in “The shop is nearby.”
Respuesta
Ря́дом.
Магази́н ря́дом. — The shop is nearby.
Tarjeta 81
Pregunta
Russian meaning: чита́ть
Я люблю́ чита́ть.
Respuesta
to read
Я люблю́ чита́ть. — I like reading.
Imperfective infinitive; this card tests the meaning, not conjugation.
Tarjeta 82
Pregunta
Russian meaning: писа́ть
Я хочу́ писа́ть.
Respuesta
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.”
Tarjeta 83
Pregunta
Russian meaning: говори́ть
Я могу́ говори́ть по-ру́сски.
Respuesta
to speak; to talk
Я могу́ говори́ть по-ру́сски. — I can speak Russian.
Imperfective infinitive.
Tarjeta 84
Pregunta
Russian meaning: слу́шать
Я люблю́ слу́шать му́зыку.
Respuesta
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.”
Tarjeta 85
Pregunta
Russian meaning: смотре́ть
Мы бу́дем смотре́ть фильм.
Respuesta
to watch; to look
Мы бу́дем смотре́ть фильм. — We will watch a film.
Imperfective infinitive; the example uses “watch.”
Tarjeta 86
Pregunta
Russian meaning: жить
Я хочу́ жить здесь.
Respuesta
to live
Я хочу́ жить здесь. — I want to live here.
Imperfective infinitive.
Tarjeta 87
Pregunta
Russian meaning: рабо́тать
Здесь мо́жно рабо́тать.
Respuesta
to work
Здесь мо́жно рабо́тать. — You can work here.
Imperfective infinitive.
Tarjeta 88
Pregunta
Russian meaning: учи́ться
Мне нра́вится учи́ться.
Respuesta
to study; to learn
Мне нра́вится учи́ться. — I like studying.
Imperfective reflexive infinitive. It ends in -ся.
Tarjeta 89
Pregunta
Russian meaning: сего́дня
Сего́дня понеде́льник.
Respuesta
today
Сего́дня понеде́льник. — Today is Monday.
An adverb of time; the example is a practice sentence, not today's date.
Tarjeta 90
Pregunta
Russian meaning: за́втра
До за́втра!
Respuesta
tomorrow
До за́втра! — See you tomorrow!
The full expression literally means “until tomorrow.”
Tarjeta 91
Pregunta
Russian meaning: у́тром
Я рабо́таю у́тром.
Respuesta
in the morning
Я рабо́таю у́тром. — I work in the morning.
An adverb of time. Compare the noun у́тро, “morning.”
Tarjeta 92
Pregunta
Russian meaning: ве́чером
Ве́чером я чита́ю.
Respuesta
in the evening
Ве́чером я чита́ю. — I read in the evening.
An adverb of time. Compare the noun ве́чер, “evening.”
Tarjeta 93
Pregunta
Russian infinitive: to read.
Respuesta
Чита́ть.
Imperfective. Я люблю́ чита́ть. — I like reading.
Tarjeta 94
Pregunta
Russian infinitive: to write. Mark the stressed vowel.
Respuesta
Писа́ть.
Stress falls on а. Я хочу́ писа́ть. — I want to write.
Tarjeta 95
Pregunta
Russian: tomorrow.
Respuesta
За́втра.
До за́втра! — See you tomorrow!
Tarjeta 96
Pregunta
Russian: in the morning. Give the single-word time expression.
Respuesta
У́тром.
Я рабо́таю у́тром. — I work in the morning.
96 tarjetas
Russian Vocabulary for Beginners: Meaning, Stress and Everyday Use
Nibomo se abrirá para que puedas empezar a estudiar.