я англича́нин
ja angličáninmasculine
The Russian phrase for "I am English" is я англича́нин (ja angličánin). Wiktionary also lists я англича́нка (ja angličánka).
Meaning: I am English (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| я англича́нин | ja angličánin | masculine |
| я англича́нка | ja angličánka | feminine |
Which one should you use?
я англича́нин and я англича́нка refer to a person's nationality (an Englishman/Englishwoman) rather than the adjective used to describe things.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form я англича́нин is used by male speakers, while the feminine form я англича́нка is used by female speakers.
How do you pronounce it?
ja angličánin
Did you know?
- In Russian, you do not need to include the word 'am' in this phrase. The verb 'to be' is usually omitted in the present tense, so 'я англича́нин' literally translates to 'I English'.
- The word я shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'I' and the Latin 'ego', both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- Depending on the context, saying я англича́нин can sound very formal or even slightly old-fashioned compared to saying you are 'British'.
Examples in context
- Ведущий: Привет, как вас зовут? Гость: Я англичанин. Меня зовут Джеймс.Host: Hello, what's your name? Guest: I am English. My name is James.
- Сотрудник: Где вы родились? Путешественник: Я из Англии.Employee: Where were you born? Traveler: I am from England.
- Друг: Откуда ты? Ты: Я англичанин.Friend: Where are you from? You: I am English.
Example conversation
Alexander and Maria are meeting for the first time at a party.
- Александр AleksandrПривет, Мария! Я англича́нин, меня зовут Александр.Privet, Mariya! Ya anglichanin, menya zovut Aleksandr.Hi Maria! I am English, my name is Alexander.
- Мария MariaОчень приятно, Александр!Ochen priyatno, Aleksandr!Very nice to meet you, Alexander!
- Александр AleksandrВы хорошо говорите по-английски.Vy khorosho govorite po-angliyski.You speak English well.
- Мария MariaСпасибо, я учу язык в школе.Spasibo, ya uchu yazyk v shkole.Thank you, I study the language at school.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I am english” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
