ру́ки вве́рх!
rúki vvérx!
The Russian phrase for "hands up" is ру́ки вве́рх! (rúki vvérx!)
This phrase is used as a command to demand surrender, typically in high-tension or authoritative situations.
Meaning: surrender! (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun ру́ки (hands) and the adverb вве́рх (up/upwards).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ру́ки is the plural form of ру́ка (hand).
How do you pronounce it?
rúki vvérx!
Did you know?
- Unlike English where 'hands up' can be a casual cheer, using ру́ки вве́рх! in Russia carries a strictly authoritative and potentially dangerous weight.
- While ру́ки means 'hands', it is also used in Russian to describe a person's skill or craftsmanship. Someone with 'golden hands' золоты́е ру́ки is an incredibly talented handyman.
- In Russian crime dramas or police procedurals, you will often hear ру́ки за го́лову instead. This means 'hands behind the head', which is the standard tactical command for a secure arrest.
Examples in context
- Дети, руки вверх, пожалуйста!Children, hands up, please!
- Руки вверх, ты арестован!Hands up, you are under arrest!
- Все, руки вверх!Everyone, hands up!
- Быстро, ру́ки вве́рх!Bystro, ruki vverkh!Quickly, hands up!
- Всем ру́ки вве́рх!Vsem ruki vverkh!Hands up, everyone!
Example conversation
A police officer confronts a suspect during a movie scene.
- Дмитрий DmitryРу́ки вве́рх!Ruki vverkh!Hands up!
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ ничего не сделал!Ya nichego ne sdelal!I didn't do anything!
- Дмитрий DmitryНе спорь, ру́ки вве́рх!Ne spor', ruki vverkh!Don't argue, hands up!
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо, я сдаюсь.Khorosho, ya sdayus'.Fine, I surrender.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hands up” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
