Здравствуйте! Welcome to our next lesson.
In our previous session, we learned how to ask and answer "How are you?" (Как дела?) and "Where are you from?" (Откуда вы/ты?). These phrases are essential for starting a conversation after the initial greetings.
Today, we'll add another crucial layer to our interactions: politeness. Our goal is to learn and use three fundamental polite expressions: спаси́бо (thank you), пожа́луйста (please/you're welcome), and извини́те (excuse me/sorry). Mastering these will make your conversations sound much more natural and respectful.
1. Saying "Thank You": Спасибо
The most common way to express gratitude in Russian is with the word спаси́бо (spasíbo). It's a versatile word that works in almost any situation, both formal and informal.
- Pronunciation: The stress is on the second syllable: спа-си́-бо. Notice how the final unstressed 'o' sounds like 'a', a vowel reduction rule we've touched on before.
Let's watch a short video that explains how and when to use спаси́бо.
Russian Language - YOUR FIRST 25 PHRASES for absolute beginners
The video 'YOUR FIRST 25 PHRASES' from the Be Fluent in Russian channel clearly explains the use of 'спасибо'.
Please watch from 02:16 to 02:41. The speaker explains that 'спасибо' can be used in both formal and informal contexts and gives several examples.
If you want to add extra emphasis, you can say Большо́е спаси́бо (Bol'shóye spasíbo), which means "Thank you very much" or "Thanks a lot."
2. The Multi-Purpose Word: Пожалуйста
The word пожа́луйста (pozháluysta) is incredibly useful because it has two main meanings: "you're welcome" and "please." The context makes the meaning clear.
- Pronunciation: This one can be tricky. It's pronounced roughly as [pa-zha-lus-ta]. The letter 'й' is silent.
Let's see both uses in action.
Russian Language - YOUR FIRST 25 PHRASES for absolute beginners
The same video from Be Fluent in Russian provides an excellent breakdown of the two meanings of 'пожалуйста'.
Now watch from 02:41 to 03:30. Pay close attention to how 'пожалуйста' is used as a response to 'спасибо' (you're welcome) and how it's used when making a request (please).
To summarize:
-
As "You're welcome":
- — Спаси́бо! (Thank you!)
- — Пожа́луйста. (You're welcome.)
-
As "Please":
- Оди́н ко́фе, пожа́луйста. (One coffee, please.)
3. Apologizing and Getting Attention: Извините / Извини
Like "excuse me" in English, the Russian word for apologizing can also be used to get someone's attention. The form you use depends on whether you are in a formal (вы) or informal (ты) situation.
- Извини́те (Izviníte) → Formal/Plural. Use this with strangers, elders, in professional settings, or when addressing a group. It corresponds with вы.
- Извини́ (Izviní) → Informal/Singular. Use this with friends, family, or children. It corresponds with ты.
Basic Russian Phrases || I’m Sorry
The article 'Basic Russian Phrases' from Flexi Classes has a clear section on this topic with a helpful summary table. It will help you distinguish between the different ways to say sorry.
Scroll down to the heading 'Basic Russian Phrases || I’m Sorry'. Read this short section and look at the 'Vocab Summary' table. It clearly lays out the formal ('Извините') and informal ('Извини') versions.
As the resource explains, you can use извини́те in two main ways:
- To apologize: If you bump into someone, you say Извини́те.
- To get attention: To ask a stranger for directions, you start with Извини́те...
The following image provides a great visual summary of the phrases we've learned today.
4. Cursive Practice
Let's integrate these essential words into your cursive practice. Consistent writing is key to mastering the script.
Here's an example of how some of these words look when written by hand.
Your Task:
Take out a notebook and practice writing each of the following words 5-10 times. Focus on the connections between letters.
- спаси́бо
- пожа́луйста
- извини́те
- извини́
This exercise will not only improve your handwriting but also help solidify these words in your memory.
Conclusion
Great job! You've now learned the three most important polite expressions in Russian. Using them correctly will make a significant difference in your interactions.
Key Takeaways:
- Спаси́бо is the universal word for "thank you."
- Пожа́луйста is a versatile word meaning both "you're welcome" (in response to
спасибо) and "please" (when making a request). - Извини́те is the formal/plural form for "excuse me" or "sorry."
- Извини́ is the informal/singular form for "excuse me" or "sorry."
In our next lesson, we will move on to another fundamental skill: counting from 0 to 20. This will be essential for many practical situations, like shopping or telling the time.