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