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