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