щас вернусь
shchas vernus'
The Russian phrase for 'brb' (be right back) is щас вернусь (shchas vernus').
щас вернусь is used to inform someone that you will return shortly.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of щас, which is a colloquial contraction of сейчас (meaning 'now') and вернусь, meaning 'I will return'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
щас вернусь is an informal expression. For more formal situations, you can use Позвольте отлучиться на минутку. or Прошу прощения, я отлучусь на мгновение. An informal alternative is Отлучусь на минутку!
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb вернусь is the first-person singular, future tense form of the verb 'вернуться'.
How do you pronounce it?
shchas vernus'
Did you know?
- While сейчас means 'now', using the colloquial form щас in certain contexts can actually signal sarcasm, implying that something will never happen.
- In Russian internet slang, users often replace щас вернусь with the English abbreviation 'brb' written in the Cyrillic alphabet as брб.
- The word сейчас is derived from the words for 'this' and 'hour', literally meaning 'at this hour'.
Examples in context
- Я щас вернусь.Ya shchas vernus'.I'll be right back.
- Погоди, я щас вернусь.Pogodi, ya shchas vernus'.Wait, I'll be right back.
- Просто подожди, я щас вернусь.Prosto podozhdi, ya shchas vernus'.Just wait, I'll be right back.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Sergey are chatting online.
- Сергей SergeyТы видела это видео?Ty videla eto video?Did you see this video?
- Екатерина EkaterinaНет, щас вернусь и посмотрю.Net, shchas vernus i posmotryu.No, BRB and I'll watch it.
- Сергей SergeyХорошо, жду тебя.Khorosho, zhdu tebya.Okay, I'm waiting for you.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ тут! Видео супер.Ya tut! Video super.I'm back! The video is great.
