What is the russian word for thank you

Markelov/Sputnik; Russia beyond

Спасибо, спасибо тебе большое, спасибо вам большое, благодарю, благодарю вас… How not to get lost in all these Russian phrases and how to reply to them!

‘SPASIBO’

Russian language is not easy. But in case of saying “Thank you”, you need just one word — SPASIBO (спасибо). It’s absolutely enough and don’t hesitate to say it on any occasions. A small tip for those who want to sound more natural — the accent is put on the second syllable, while the last ‘O’ actually isn’t pronounced clearly. It’s closer to “SPA-SIB-UH”.

The origin of the word comes from the ancient Slavic language — “spasi bog” (спаси бог) which literally translates as “God save”.

In the age of the Internet this word got several “new” variants. SPASIB — is a shortened, slang word for “spasibo”, used in text messages and in informal friendly conversations. An even more shortened version — PASIB — is also popular. (S)PASIBKI is a “cute” version of it, but don’t overuse it, unless you want to sound too sugary. 

More than just SPASIBO

SPASIBO BOLSHOE (спасибо большое) — if you want to add just how thankful you are, you can add “very much” — which literally means “a big thanks”. 

Sometimes, Russians can say “Spasibo tebe” (спасибо тебе)talking informally to a friend, or “Spasibo vam” (спасибо вам) talking formally, to a group of people or a less known person, but it’s not that often. While making a “spasibo” stronger, the addressing is far more frequent to hear. 

SPASIBO TEBE BOLSHOE (спасибо большое/спасибо тебе большое), which means “Thank you very much”.

Read here to learn more on when to use tebe and when vam. 

SPASIBO OGROMNOE (спасибо огромное) is literally a HUGE thanks, which means a higher form of gratitude. Usually, it is used when someone really has done a favor or helped a lot. 

Other cases for SPASIBO 

Spasibo is not only a gratitude, but also a way to display sarcasm. SKAZHI SPASIBO (скажи спасибо) is a quite rough phrase, which means you must be grateful. “Say ‘spasibo’ I didn’t rat you out to mom!” Or even “Yes, I took your dress, but say ‘spasibo’ I returned it.”

Another option for SPASIBO is closer to occasions when we would say “Thank God”. “SPASIBO the trees in my garden survived the storm.”

And there are several proverbs with SPASIBO which mean just the word itself is not enough. Usually, they are used in a witty way — in some cases, they are also a little rude. 

Spasibo v karman ne polozhish (спасибо в карман не положишь) — “You can’t put spasibo in your pocket”

Spasibo na khleb ne namazhesh (спасибо на хлеб не намажешь) — “You can’t spread spasibo on your bread”

BLAGODARYU and other words

When saying the hundreds time per day ‘spasibo’, it can get a bit tedious. So, to sound more intelligent or bohemian, modern people and youth often use the French word MERCI. And even adding it instead of SPASIBO in usual phrases — for example, “merci tebe bolshoe” (мерси тебе большое). 

Another way to sound interesting and not trivial would be using the old word BLAGODARYU (благодарю), of which the origin of the verb ‘BLAGODARIT’ (благодарить) means “to present good”, while it can be translated as “to be grateful”. 

The archaic form, which is also sometimes used in a witty manner, is BLAGODARSTVUYU (благодарствую). PREMNOGO BLAGODAREN (премного благодарен), which is very much grateful and the same, but less archaic, OCHEN BLAGODAREN (очень благодарен). 

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One of the first things you may want to know when learning a language is how to say “thank you.” If you’re brave enough to learn Russian and are ready for the challenge despite the number of grammatical cases, then welcome to the world of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, the Trans-Siberian Railway, and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet at a latitude higher than Cornwall and Vancouver.

Practice with an expert Russian tutor to make learning the language easy and fun.

Something Old, Something New

The most commonly used Russian word for “thank you” is “cпасибо” (spasibo). The word has three syllables, spa-si-bo, and the middle syllable is stressed.

Originally, this was the phrase “Spasi Bog,” meaning “Let God save you.” The word “spasibo” emerged somewhere around the seventeenth century, but it was not accepted by language users for a long time. In nineteenth-century Russian literature, characters never use it and prefer “благодарю” (blagodaru) instead.

Even if you’re not Alyosha Karamazov or Anna Karenina, you can still use “благодарю” today. This is another result of combining two words. “Blago daru” means “I give you good.” “Благодарю” has four syllables, bla-go-da-ru, and the stress falls on the last one. As you can see, Russian is not a fixed stress language, and the position of stress in a word is highly unpredictable. For further examples, we will use capital letters to highlight the vowels in stressed syllables.

A Big Thank-You

Speaking of unpredictable things, our word order is not fixed, either, unlike most Germanic languages. For example, if you want to say “Thank you very much!” you can choose between “Большое спасибо!” (Bolshoe spasibo!) and “Спасибо большое!” (Spasibo bolshoe!). The meaning is the same, but some Russians find the second option more emotional. “Большое” means “big” and has three syllables, with the stress falling on “sho.”

Something to Remember

If you want to take notes and practice these new words, here are three ways to say “thank you”:

• Спасибо! (Spa-SI-bo!)

• Большое спасибо! (Bol-sho-e spa-SI-bo!)

• Благодарю! (Bla-go-da-rU!)

The Most Common Reply

Please keep in mind that the “o” sound undergoes some reduction in fluent speech, especially when not stressed. It sounds more like “a” but is still written as “o.”

A universal answer to “Spasibo” is “Пожалуйста!” (Pozhaluysta!). This word has four syllables when written, but as the stress falls on the second one, the remaining two lose their full vowels in speech: Po-zhA-lsta!

One more option is to answer “Не за что” (Ne za chto!), which means “Not at all!” These words are almost glued to one another in speech: The first is stressed, and the last is changed from the voiced “ch” consonant to the voiceless consonant “sh.” The result sounds like “nEzashto!”

Want to learn more about Russian colloquial phrases? Learn Russian online with the best native tutors.

In most cultures, it is custom to express gratitude in some way or another. The dictionary defines gratitude as follows: it is “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Giving a sincere, thankful response to someone’s actions or words is often the ‘glue’ that keeps relationships together. This is true in most societies! Doing so in a foreign country also shows your respect and appreciation for the culture. Words have great power – use these ones sincerely and often!

Table of Contents

1. 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in Russian
2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes
3. Infographic & Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases – Thank You
4. Video Lesson: ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages
5. How RussianPod101 Can Help You

So, how do you say ‘Thank you’ in Russian? You can learn easily! Below, RussianPod101 brings you perfect translations and pronunciation as you learn the most common ways Russian speakers say ‘Thanks’ in various situations.

1. 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in Russian

1- Thank you.

Спасибо.
Spasibo.

The magical words that can bring a smile to any face. For one day, truly mean it whenever you say these words, and see how this lifts your spirit too!

2- That’s very kind of you.

Это очень мило с Вашей стороны.
Eta ochen’ mila s Vashey starany.

This phrase is appropriate when someone clearly goes out of their way to give good service, or to offer you a kindness.

3- Thanks for your kind words!

Спасибо за добрые слова!
Spasiba za dobryye slava!

Someone paid you a compliment and made you feel good? That is kind of him/her, so express your gratitude!

4- Thank you for coming today.

Спасибо за то, что пришли сегодня.
Spasiba za to, shto prishli sevodnya.

This welcoming phrase should be part of your arsenal if you’re conducting more formal meetings with Russian speakers. If you’re hosting a party, this is also a good phrase when you greet your Russian guests!

5- Thank you for your consideration.

Спасибо, что уделили внимание.
Spasiba, shto udelili vnimaniye.

This is a more formal, almost solemn way to thank someone for their thoughtfulness and sensitivity towards you. It is also suitable to use when a native speaker has to consider something you submit, like a job application, a project or a proposal. You are thanking them, in essence, for time and effort they are about to, or have spent on your submission.

6- Thanks a lot!

Большое спасибо!
Bal’shoye spasiba!

This means the same as ‘Thank you’, but with energy and enthusiasm added! It means almost the same as ‘thank you so much’ in Russian. Use this in an informal setting with your Russian friends or teachers.

7- Teachers like you are not easy to find.

Такого учителя, как Вы, непросто найти.
Takova uchitelya, kak Vy, neprosta nayti.

Some phrases are compliments, which express gratitude by inference. This is one of them. If you’re particularly impressed with your RussianPod101 teacher, this is an excellent phrase to memorize!

8- Thank you for spending time with us.

Спасибо, что уделили нам время.
Spasiba, shto udelili nam vremya.

Any host at a gathering with Russian speakers, such as a meeting or a party, should have this under his/her belt! Use it when you’re saying goodbye or busy closing a meeting. It could also be another lovely way to thank your Russian language teacher for her time.

9- Thank you for being patient and helping me improve.

Благодарю Вас за терпение и за то, что помогаете мне становиться лучше.
Blagadaryu Vas za terpeniye i za to, shto pamagayete mne stanavitsa luchshe.

This phrase is another sure way to melt any formal or informal Russian teacher’s heart! Teaching is not easy, and often a lot of patience is required from the teacher. Thank him/her for it! It’s also a good phrase to use if you work in Russia, and want to thank your trainer or employer. You will go a long way towards making yourself a popular employee – gratitude is the most attractive trait in any person!

10- You’re the best teacher ever!

Вы самый лучший учитель!
Vy samyy luchshyy uchitel’!

This is also an enthusiastic way to thank your teacher by means of a compliment. It could just make their day!

11- Thank you for the gift.

Спасибо за подарок.
Spasiba za padarak.

This is a good phrase to remember when you’re the lucky recipient of a gift. Show your respect and gratitude with these words.

12- I have learned so much thanks to you.

Я так много узнал благодаря Вам.
Ya tak mnoga uznal blagadarya Vam.

What a wonderful compliment to give a good teacher! It means they have succeeded in their goal, and you’re thankful for it.

2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes

Wherever your destination maybe, manners are a must! And in this respect, Russia is no different.

1- спасибо. Spasiba
In Russian “Thank you” is spasiba. Now in Russian there are other ways to express one’s gratitude. There are more formal and more casual ways to do this.

2- Большое спасибо. Bol’shoye spasibo
You can emphasize spasiba by adding bol’shoy which means “big”. Bol’shoy spasibo literally means “Big thank you” and is the equivalent of “Thank you very much” in English.

3- Благодарю Вас. Blagadaryu vas
For very special occasions when someone goes above and beyond the call of being kind, when someone is extremely generous, or for any other time you’re extremely grateful, we have the following phrase to express extreme gratitude: Blagadaryu vas. The first word blagadaryu means “(I am) thankful.” It is followed by the polite “you” which in Russian is vy but in this sentence we use vas. So in English it would be something like “I am grateful (thankful) to you”.

To reproduce the Russian consonant “r” in blagadaryu you should roll your “r”‘s. The Russian “r” resembles the Italian or Spanish ones, but even if you don’t roll it properly you will be easily understood anyway.

Cultural Insights

Please do know that in Russian there are two ways of referring to people: formal and informal.

So let’s start first with the polite form. The polite equivalent of the English “you” is vy in Russian. This polite word contains a sound that does not exist in English and is transcribed by the letter “y” but please don’t worry; I will teach you how to produce this sound. Open your mouth as if you were preparing to pronounce the sound “a” in the word “able” and holding the same open position of your mouth try to reproduce the sound “ee” like in the word “if”. Doing it this way you will achieve the desired sound “y” which is present in vy. Please note the same letter “y” will be also used to show the short “ee” sound and after some consonants in order to soften them.

We use vy when we want to show respect to the other person or when the context requires formality. For instance, when meeting someone for the first time, at a shop, at work, with a professor, or with an older person. However, vy is not always required when you meet someone for the first time if the setting is casual, say at a party with people of your own age.

Younger people, especially, are using vy less and less.They often speak directly inty with each other and even their grandparents. So ty is the informal equivalent of “you”.The sound “y” here is the same as vy. We use ty in contexts where we know the person personally and the environment is casual. People of one’s own age, classmates, family, and friends are such people. At home, at school, friendly social settings are such contexts. Ty is the most common form of “you” that you will hear, so don’t feel nervous about using it.

Not many Russians know that the origin of the word spasiba came from two words, spasi which means “save” and Bog which means “God”. So the meaning of it is “May God keep you safe!” which was an old way of expressing gratitude. So surprise your Russian friends by asking them the origin of the word spasiba!

On the run to Russia? Wait! You can’t go without some basic language phrases under your belt! Especially if you’re heading to meet your prospective employer! Either in person or online, knowing how to say ‘Thank you’ in the Russian language will only improve their impression of you! RussianPod101 saves you time with this short lesson that nevertheless packs a punch. Learn to say ‘Thank you’ in Russian in no time!

3. Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases – Thank You

Perhaps you think it’s unimportant that you don’t know what ‘Thank you’ is in Russian, or that it’s too difficult a language to learn. Yet, as a traveler or visitor, you will be surprised at how far you can go using a little bit of Russian in Russia!

Click Here to Listen to the Free Audio Lesson!

At RussianPod101, we offer you a few ways of saying ‘Thank you’ in Russian that you have no excuse not knowing, as they’re so simple and easy to learn. The lesson is geared to aid your ‘survival’ in formal and informal situations in Russia, so don’t wait! You will never have to google ‘How do you say thanks in Russian’ again…!

4. ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages

For the global traveler in a hurry, here are 31 ways to say ‘Thank you’! These are the first words you need to learn in any foreign language – it is sure to smooth your way with native speakers by showing your gratitude for services rendered, and your respect for their culture! Learn and know how to correctly say ‘Thank you’ in 31 different languages in this short video.

5. Why would RussianPod101 be the perfect choice to learn Russian?

However, you need not stop at ‘Thank you’ in Russian – why not learn to speak the language?! You have absolutely nothing to lose. Research has shown that learning a new language increases intelligence and combats brain-aging. Also, the ability to communicate with native speakers in their own language is an instant way to make friends and win respect! Or imagine you know how to write ‘Thank you’ to that special Russian friend after a date…he/she will be so impressed!

RussianPod101 Has Special Lessons, Tools and Resources to Teach You How to Say Thank You and Other Key Phrases

With more than a decade of experience behind us, we have taught thousands of satisfied users to speak foreign languages. How do we do this? First, we take the pain out of learning! At RussianPod101, students are assisted as they master vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation through state-of-the-art and fun online learning methods. A library replete with learning resources allows for you to learn at your own pace and in your own space! Resources include thousands of video and audio recordings, downloadable PDF lessons and plenty of learning apps for your mobile devices. Each month, we add benefits with FREE bonuses and gifts to improve your experience.

We accommodate all levels and types of learners, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and RussianPod101 is free for anyone to sign up. However, you can choose to fast track your fluency with lesson customization and increased interactive learning and practicing. Upgrade to Premium, or Premium PLUS to enhance your experience and greatly expedite your learning. With this type of assistance, and pleasurable effort on your part, you will speak Russian in a very short period of time!

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Best of all is that you’re never alone! We believe that practice is the holy grail of learning any new language, and we gear our courses to ensure lots of it. Enroll with us, and you gain immediate access to our lively forum where we meet and greet, and discuss your burning questions. Our certified teachers are friendly and helpful, and you are very likely to practice your first ‘Thanks!’ in Russian on him/her, AND mean it! Hurry up, and sign up now – you will thank us for it.

Hi Junkies!

Today you will learn how to say Thank you in Russian and how to respond. Yes, you’ll learn how to say You’re Welcome in Russian as well. So, let’s get it started! Take this lesson and…

• Review & read out loud
• Print out to keep for yourself
• Listen to the FREE Audio Lesson included below as well

Also…if you want to learn & speak Russian, I suggest RussianPod101.You get 1,000+ audio/video courses, lessons by Russian teachers and a whole learning program. Sign up at RussianPod101 (click here) and start learning! I recommend ’em as a teacher & learner.

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Be sure to listen to this easy Audio Lesson provided by RussianPod101. You will hear the NATIVE pronunciation and train your ear to get used to Russian. Just press the play button below.

• Audio Lesson – Survival Phrases #1 – Thank You!”

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Part 1: How to say Thank You in Russian

1. Thank you in Russian

• Спасибо
• Spasibo

This is the easiest and the most popular way to say thank you in Russian. This is a phrase that can be used in almost all cases. I can’t say that it’s formal; it sounds polite, but if you want to show your gratitude you have to say «благодарю». You will learn that next.

2. Thank you (formal)

• Благодарю
• Blagodaryu

This is a formal way to say Thank you in Russian. This is the most intelligent way to express gratitude; slightly aristocratic actually. Also, it is very good to use this phrase when talking to a lady.

You can change this word and turn it into an adjective saying: «Я благодарен», for instance: “Я благодарен Вам за все», which means “I’m so thankful for everything”. The emotion that this phrase expresses is very strong. It’s similar to “I appreciate it”.

3. Thanks a lot

• Спасибо большое
• Spasibo bolshoye

This is not formal, but by saying [Spasibo bolshoye] you express a lot of emotion, so {Спасибо большое} is a good way to say “Thanks a lot” in Russian. You can say this phrase to anybody like a stranger, boss or your close friend). This phrase is stronger than just [Spasibo], so don’t use it too often. 

4. Thank you very much

• Огромное спасибо
• Ogromnoye Spasibo

This is also not formal, but saying [Ogromnoye spasibo] you express even more emotion, than saying {Спасибо большое}. It’s a giant thank you. You can also sarcastically use it when you’re angry with someone.

Part 2: How to Say Thank You in Russian – Phrases

Phrases are also often used to show the gratitude. Especially in formal situations. If you want to express deep thanks, use these.

5. I’m very grateful.

• Я очень благодарен
• Ya ochen’ blagodaren

6. I appreciate your help

• Я ценю Вашу помощь
• Ya tsenyu vashu pomosh’

7. My regards

• Mое почтение
• Moye pochtenie

8. My thanks

• Благодарствую
• Blagodarstvuyu

9. My appreciation

• Mоя признательность
• Moya priznatelnost’

Part 3: How to Say You’re Welcome in Russian

When someone thanks you, it’s good to respond in the same way. Here’s how you respond to Thank You in Russian.

1. You are welcome

• Пожалуйста
• Pozhalusta

This is maybe the most gracious way to say You are welcome in Russian. You can say [Pozhalusta] when someone just did a favor to you, and you truly enjoyed it and gained benefit from it. 

2. Not at all

• Не за что
• Ne za shto

That is one more polite option, which actually means that thanks aren’t necessary at all.

3. Happy to help

• Рад помочь
• Rad pomoch’

If someone is thanking you for a favor and you were really helpful, you can say [Rad pomoch] or [Rad bil pomoch].

4. No problem

• Не проблема
• Ne problema

And another way to say no problem in Russian.

• Hе вопрос
• Ne voprops

This is really a very common and casual way to say You are welcome in Russian. You will hear it almost everywhere in Russia especially in conversation with friends.

5. Do not mention it

• Не стоит благодарности
• Ne stoit blagodarnosti

If someone shows the gratitude, this is the best way to answer. You can’t use it with friends because it sounds formal, but by saying [Ne stoit blagodarnosti], you show your respect. Don’t forget, if you want to be polite, the most important thing is to smile. Friendly tone is key.

Conclusion:

Now you know 9 ways to say thank you in Russian and 5 ways to say you’re welcome in Russian. Print this article for your own review! There are many ways to express these, but what you learned here are the most commonly-used. Enjoy!

– written by the Main Junkie

P.S. I highly recommend this for Russian learners. If you REALLY want to learn Russian with 1,000s of fun, easy audio/video lessons by real teachers – Sign up for free at RussianPod101 (click here) and start learning!