If you’re ever in Russia and need to know how to say “English” in Russian, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways to say “English” in Russian. We’ll also provide you with some tips, examples, and regional variations. So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say English
When speaking formally, there are a few different ways to refer to the English language in Russian. Here are some of the most common phrases:
- Английский язык – angliyskiy yazyk (ahn-gleeys-kee ya-zyk)
- Язык английский – yazyk angliyskiy (ya-zyk ahn-gleeys-kee)
- Английская речь – angliyskaya rech’ (ahn-gleeys-kah-ya ryech)
- Английское слово – angliyskoye slovo (ahn-gleeys-koh-ye slo-vo)
These phrases all mean “English language” or “English speech” and can be used interchangeably in formal settings. They are widely understood and commonly used throughout Russia.
Informal Ways to Say English
When speaking informally or in a casual setting, Russians often use different slang terms to refer to the English language. Here are a few examples:
- Английски – angliyski (ahn-gleeys-kee)
- Англ – angl (ahngl)
- Инглиш – inglish (een-gleesh)
These informal terms are commonly used among friends, in casual conversations, or when talking about English in a more relaxed setting.
Regional Variations
While the formal and informal ways to say “English” are generally universal throughout Russia, there may be slight regional variations in certain areas. Here are a couple of examples:
- Английский язык – angliyskiy yazyk (ahn-gleeys-kee ya-zyk)
Note: In some regions of Russia, particularly in Siberia, “англескалын дил” (angleskalyn dil) may be used instead of “английский язык”. But don’t worry, the former term is less common and may not be necessary for everyday communication.
Английская речь – angliyskaya rech’ (ahn-gleeys-kah-ya ryech)
Note: In the southern regions of Russia, such as the Caucasus, you may come across the term “английский говор” (angliyskiy govor). It has the same meaning but is used less frequently than “английская речь”.
These regional variations should not cause significant confusion, as the formal and informal terms mentioned earlier are widely understood and accepted across Russia.
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you confidently use the phrases mentioned above:
- When asking someone if they speak English, you can use the phrase “Вы говорите по-английски?” (Vy govorite po-angliyski?). It translates to “Do you speak English?” and is a common way to initiate conversations in English.
- When politely requesting someone to speak English, you can say “Можете говорить по-английски?” (Mozhete govorit’ po-angliyski?). This translates to “Can you speak English?” and can be useful when seeking assistance or directions.
- If you want to tell someone that you only speak English, you can say “Я говорю только по-английски” (Ya govoryu tol’ko po-angliyski). This phrase means “I only speak English” and can be handy when clarifying your language abilities.
- When referring to English words specifically, you can say “Это английское слово?” (Eto angliyskoye slovo?). This translates to “Is this an English word?” and can be useful when discussing language or vocabulary.
We hope these examples and tips will help you navigate conversations about the English language in Russia with ease!
In summary, when asking for the translation of “English” in Russian, you have a variety of options depending on the formality of the situation. In formal settings, use phrases like “Английский язык” or “Язык английский.” In informal settings, you can use slang terms like “Английски” or “Инглиш.” Remember that these terms are widely understood throughout Russia, with some slight regional variations in certain areas.
We hope you find this guide useful, and wish you all the best in your Russian language journey!
