Belarusian, also known as Belarusan or Belaruska, is the official language of Belarus. It is spoken by around 7-8 million people in Belarus and diaspora communities worldwide. Learning a few key phrases in Belarusian can greatly enhance your experience when visiting the country. In this guide, we will explore how to say common phrases in both formal and informal ways in Belarusian. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Greetings and Introductions
When meeting someone for the first time, it’s polite to greet them in Belarusian. Here are some phrases you can use:
Formal: Dobry den! (Good day!)
Informal: Pryvitannie! (Hello!)
If you want to introduce yourself, you can say:
Formal: Mianuia zviazuetsia… (My name is…)
Informal: Mianuia – … (I am…)
When saying goodbye, you can use the following expressions:
Formal: Do svidaniia! (Goodbye!)
Informal: Da pobachennia! (See you!)
2. Asking for Directions
If you find yourself lost in Belarus and need directions, these phrases will come in handy:
Formal: Prymite, pazhalusta, daptanu. (Excuse me, where is…)
Informal: Adiachcie, mazhliusta, dze… (Hey, where is…)
If someone is kind enough to help you, be sure to say thank you:
Formal: Dziakui! (Thank you!)
Informal: Dziakui! (Thanks!)
3. Ordering Food and Drinks
Belarusian cuisine is rich and diverse, and trying local dishes is a must when visiting Belarus. Use these phrases to order your favorite food and drinks:
Formal: Pazhalusta, dzin dlia mnau. (Please, a menu for me.)
Informal: Pliz, menu. (Please, menu.)
When ready to order, you can say:
Formal: Biudzhet prasim! (I would like to order.)
Informal: Kiwi, dzin. (I’ll have…)
4. Expressing Gratitude
Belarusians appreciate politeness and gratitude. Here are some phrases to show your appreciation:
Formal: Dziakui vam za dapamohu. (Thank you for your help.)
Informal: Vialmi dziakui za dapamohu. (Thanks a lot for your help.)
If you want to be extra polite, you can add “Vialmi” (very) before “dziakui” in the informal version.
5. Basic Conversational Phrases
In everyday conversations, being able to express basic phrases is useful. Here are some examples:
- How are you?
Formal: Yak zhivecie?
Informal: Yak dila? - I’m fine, thank you.
Formal: Dziekuju, haradziej.
Informal: Dziekuju, usio horasha. - Do you speak English?
Formal: Vy havorycia pa-angliysku?
Informal: Ty havoryciesia pa-angliysku? - Sorry, I don’t understand.
Formal: Prasze prastsity, ja nie razumiem.
Informal: Vybachi, ja nie razumieju. - Where is the restroom?
Formal: Prymite, pazhalusta, dze tualet?
Informal: Adiachcie, mazhliusta, dze tualet?
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned some essential phrases in Belarusian for various situations. Remember to use the appropriate level of formality depending on the context. The warm and welcoming people of Belarus will appreciate your effort to communicate in their language. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Enjoy your journey through Belarus!
