я знаю русский
ya znayu russkiy
To say "I know russian" in Russian, use я знаю русский (ya znayu russkiy).
This phrase is used to state that you have the ability to speak or understand the Russian language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of я (I), знаю (know) and русский (Russian).
Which one should you use?
If you only have basic skills, you should say я немного знаю русский (I know a little Russian) to avoid sounding overconfident.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the word язык (language) to the end of the phrase to create я знаю русский язык makes the expression sound more complete and formal.
How do you pronounce it?
ya znayu russkiy
Did you know?
- While знаю means 'know', Russians often say я говорю по-русски ('I speak in Russian') when they actually mean they know the language. Using the verb 'to speak' is often perceived as more natural in social settings.
- The word я is a linguistic sibling of the English 'I' and the Latin 'ego', as they all descend from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- Adding the word язык ('language') to the phrase is not just for formality. It removes ambiguity, as русский can refer to either the language or the ethnicity of a person.
Examples in context
- Я знаю русский язык.I know Russian.This sentence is useful for stating that you know the Russian language using the more formal version.Tatoeba #7487322 by odexed, translation #6330504 by RudeGuyGames
- Ваше превосходительство, я знаю русский язык.Your Excellency, I know Russian.
- Эй, я владею русским языком!Hey, I have proficiency in Russian!
- Я знаю русский, поэтому могу помочь.Ya znayu russkiy, poetomu mogu pomoch'.I know Russian, so I can help.
- Не волнуйся, я знаю русский язык.Ne volnuysya, ya znayu russkiy yazyk.Don't worry, I know the Russian language.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Dmitry are discussing language skills at a meeting.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, вы говорите по-русски?Dmitriy, vy govorite po-russki?Dmitry, do you speak Russian?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, но я хочу его выучить.Net, no ya khochu yego vyuchit'.No, but I want to learn it.
- Екатерина EkaterinaА я знаю русский, я могу помочь.A ya znayu russkiy, ya mogu pomoch'.And I know Russian, I can help.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто было бы очень здорово!Eto bylo by ochen' zdorovo!That would be great!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries русский, я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
