Today marks the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but fans from all of the qualified and visiting countries have been making their way to the capital of Russia in the days leading up to the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Russia is a diverse country that is known for its love for vodka, difficult language, bitter winters, sordid history, their unique cultural dances and its controversial president- Vladimir Putin.
This world cup is the first to be held in Eastern Europe, and so far the reception from fans has been positive, if social media is anything to go by.
While in Russia, it is ideal to know a few phrases to use, especially when ordering food and drinks during half-time or wanting to curse at your favorite player, who may have missed a shot at goal.
Whether you are watching the football matches live at the stadiums, in bars and pubs, or in the comfort of your home with friends and family, you can join the Russians as they curse or praise the players on the field with these handy phrases provided by websites Omniglot and Tandem.
General phrases:
Hello!
– Приве́т! (Privet!)
How are you?
– Как дела? (Kak dela?)
I’m good/fine thanks
– Спасибо, хорошо. А ты? (Spasibo, xorošo. A ty?)
What’s your name?
– Как тебя зовут? (Kak tebja zovut?)
My name is ...
– Меня зовут ... (Menja zovut ...)
Where are you from
– Oткуда ты? (Otkuda ty?)
I’m from....
– Я из ... (Ja iz ...)
Pleased to meet you
– Очень приятно (Očen' prijatno)
Goodbye
– Пока! (Poka!)
Good luck
– Удачи! (Udači!)
Yes
– Да (Da)
No
– Нет (Net)
I don’t know
– Я не знаю (Ja ne znaju)
I don’t understand
– Я не понимаю (Ja ne ponimaju)
Can you repeat that please?
– Вы можете повторить это? (vee mo-zshee-tey puff-ta-reet eta?)
Do you speak English?
– Ты говоришь по-английски?(Ty govoriš' po-anglijski?)
How do you say ____ in Russian?
– Как сказать…по русски? (Kak skazat’…pa ruski?)
Excuse me
– Простите (prasteete)
Sorry
– Прости! (Prosti!)
Please
– Пожалуйста (Požalujsta)
Stop
– Стой! (Stoj!)
Where is the toilet/bathroom?
– Где находится туалет? (Gde naxoditsja tualet?)
Thank you
- Спасибо! (Spaseeba!)
You’re welcome
- Пожалуйста (pazhaloosta)
If you want to order vodka
– Водки, бармен! (Vodki, barmen!)
Football phrases:
World Cup
– Чемпионат мира по футболу (Chempionat mira po futbolu)
What game is it today?
– Кто сегодня играет? (Kto segodnya igraet?)
Selfish player
– Некомандный игрок (Nekomandny igrok)
Ball
– Мяч (meyach)
Pass
– Пас (pas)
Give him the ball
– Отдай пас! (Otday pas!)
Foul
– Нарушение (Narushenie)
The referee is blind!
– Судью на мыло! (Sudyu na mylo!)
Penalty
– Пенальти (Penalti)
Off side
– Офф-сайд (Off-sayd)
Go [insert country]
– [ ], Вперед! (Rossiya, Vpered!)
Goal!
– Гол! (Gol)