8 Cool Russian Words You Won’t Learn in School

Going beyond the textbook and picking up some local slang is the true form of mastering the art of native language. The following article will explore some cool Russian words and phrases as well as their meanings.

Cool Russian Words That You Should Know

The Russian language is ranked as one of the most challenging languages for English speakers to learn. This is because language is composed of a Cyrillic alphabet that is made of unique letters. However, the Russian language has countless beautiful words and phrases that will make you fall in love with it. Below are some words that you should learn to speak like a local.

Дождь (Dozhd’)- Rain

This word was derived from the Old East Slavic or the Old Russian language used in the early centuries by the East Slavs in Kievan Rus. Its original meaning was ‘disappear in the air.’ This word is also used in other European languages, including Belarusian, Ukrainian, Rusyn, and Norwegian.

Туфли (Tu-Phli)- High Heels

This word is derived from the German word ‘plantofel,’ which means evening slippers or loafers. In the Russian language, the word is used to describe high-heeled women’s shoes.

Кайфовать (Kayfovat)- To Have Fun

This is one of the native Russian words that retained its original meaning; it simply means ‘enjoying’ or ‘having fun.’

Класс! (Klass!)- Great!

You have probably heard of this word if you hang out with Russians often. ‘Класс’ is a famous Russian slang, and it is derived from the Latin language. It usually means ‘awesome’ or ‘something is going well.”

Высокопревосходительство (Vysokoprevoskhoditelstvo)- Excellency or Highness

This word is among the longest and most challenging Russian words to learn. It is a compound word, and you can divide it into two parts for easy pronunciation. The first part is ‘vysoko’ (meaning ‘high’), and the second part is ‘preveskhoditelstvo'(meaning ‘superior’). It is used to address kings and queens or individuals in the Russian royal families.

Достопримечательность (Dostoprimechatelnost)- Tourist Attraction

This is another long Russian word for a notable place with historical or geographical significance. This word is used frequently in day-to-day conversations, making it easy for one to learn it quickly. If you take Russian classes, your teacher will likely use the word multiple times in class, making it catchier after a few lessons.

Простите (Prasteete)- Excuse Me

Learning this phrase is essential, especially when visiting Russia. You might bump into someone in the Russian streets, and saying: “sorry” or” excuse me” might not be helpful, as they do not know English. You can also use the phrase ‘Простите’ when trying to get someone’s attention instead of tapping their shoulders. 

Оворите, пожалуйста, Медленнее? (Gavareetye Pazhalooysta Myedleeney) – Could You Speak More Slowly?

You might get confused when talking with a native Russian speaker, especially if you are still learning the language. To avoid that long awkward conversation, you can ask the person talking to be slow; if they do not already sense this by your confused facial expression.

Final Thoughts on Russian Words and Phrases

Learning the Russian language is a super exciting challenge. Your involvement and engagement with the language make it easy to understand. If you are committed to learning and speaking the Russian language fluently with confidence, we recommend you take advantage of our accredited online courses. LanguageBird provides learners with the most personalized, one-to-one learning experience. Contact us today to learn more about our courses!