Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| оста́вь меня́ в поко́е | ostávʹ menjá v pokóje | informal |
| отста́нь от меня́ | otstánʹ ot menjá | informal |
| отвя́нь | otvjánʹ | slang |
These phrases are used to request that someone stop talking to you. While some forms request peace, others are more aggressive or even rude.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase оста́вь меня́ в поко́е literally translates to 'leave me in peace'. The phrase отста́нь от меня́ literally means 'get off/away from me'.
Which one should you use?
оста́вь меня́ в поко́е sounds more like a request for peace, whereas отста́нь от меня́ is more aggressive and direct. The slang term отвя́нь is a slangy, rude way to tell someone to go away or stop bothering you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
оста́вь меня́ в поко́е is an informal way to say leave me alone. For a polite way to ask someone to leave you alone in Russian, you can use Оставьте меня в покое or even further emphasize politeness with Прошу вас оставить меня в покое. In informal settings, Оставь меня в покое, пожалуйста is an informal version that includes a touch of politeness. Conversely, отвя́нь is slang.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase отста́нь от меня́ uses the singular imperative form of the verb, used when addressing one person informally. To say 'leave me alone' more politely or to a group, you should use the plural/formal imperative оста́вьте меня́ в поко́е.
How do you pronounce it?
ostávʹ menjá v pokóje
Did you know?
- In Russian, the word поко́й can imply a state of eternal rest, meaning that if you use it in a very dramatic or heavy tone, it might sound as if you are requesting the peace of the grave.
- The aggressive phrase отста́нь от меня́ uses a verb that literally means to 'detach' or 'unstick' yourself from someone, as if the person is a physical object clinging to you.
- The slang term отвя́нь is derived from the verb meaning 'to untie' or 'to unbind', suggesting that the person bothering you is like a knot that needs to be undone.
Examples in context
- Давайте я останусь одинLet me be alone
- Оста́вь меня́ в поко́е, я хочу́ спать.Ostav' menya v pokoye, ya khochu spat'.Leave me alone, I want to sleep.
- Просто оста́вь меня́ в поко́е сейчас же!Prosto ostav' menya v pokoye seychas zhe!Just leave me alone right now!
- Ты меня́ раздража́ешь, оста́вь меня́ в поко́е.Ty menya razdrazhayesh', ostav' menya v pokoye.You are annoying me, leave me alone.
Example conversation
Andrey is trying to study and Anastasia keeps asking him questions.
- Андрей AndreyАнаста́сия, я пыта́юсь гото́виться к экза́мену.Anastasiya, ya pytayus' gotovit'sya k ekzamenu.Anastasia, I am trying to prepare for the exam.
- Анастасия AnastasiaА пойдём пить чай?A poydyom pit' chay?How about we go drink some tea?
- Андрей AndreyПожа́луйста, оста́вь меня́ в поко́е.Pozhaluysta, ostav' menya v pokoye.Please, leave me alone.
- Анастасия AnastasiaХорошо́, я ухожу́.Khorosho, ya ukhozhu.Fine, I am leaving.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leave me alone” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
