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