How to Say "Promise" in Russian

обеща́ние

obeščánijeneuter

The English word 'promise' (as a vow) can be translated into Russian using обеща́ние (obeščánije). Wiktionary also lists по́сул (pósul).

Meaning: vow (noun)

Ways to say it

“promise” in Russian
Russian	Romanization (Wiktionary)	Note
обеща́ние	obeščánije	neuter
по́сул	pósul	masculine

A promise can be expressed as the noun обеща́ние. If you want to use a verb to mean 'to commit to something', you can use обеща́ть or пообеща́ть.

обеща́ние is a standard promise. In contrast, по́сул refers to a promise made in exchange for a bribe or a corrupt inducement.

The plural form of обеща́ние is обеща́ния.

obeščánije

If you break a promise, Russians say you 'broke' it using the verb наруши́ть, which is the same verb used for breaking the law or a treaty.
In older Russian legal traditions, a по́сул was not always seen as a crime but as a customary 'gift' to ensure a government official performed their duty.
In Russian culture, the phrase обеща́ть can sometimes be used ironically to imply that the speaker has no intention of following through, similar to the English 'lip service'.

Я обещаю помочь тебе переехать
I promise to help you move
Это было серьёзное обеща́ние.
Eto bylo seryoznoye obeshchaniye.
It was a serious vow.
Его обеща́ние осталось невыполненным.
Yego obeshchaniye ostalos' nevypolnennyim.
His vow remained unfulfilled.

Dmitry and Maria are discussing a solemn commitment.

Мария Maria

Дмитрий, ты помнишь своё обеща́ние?
Dmitriy, ty pomnish' svoyo obeshchaniye?
Dmitry, do you remember your vow?
Дмитрий Dmitry

Конечно, Мария, я не забуду его.
Konechno, Mariya, ya ne zabudu yego.
Of course, Maria, I will not forget it.
Мария Maria

Это очень важное обеща́ние для нас.
Eto ochen' vazhnoye obeshchaniye dlya nas.
It is a very important vow for us.
Дмитрий Dmitry

Я держу своё слово.
Ya derzhu svoyo slovo.
I keep my word.

Sources

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