поднимите руки
podnimite ruki
The phrase "put your hands up" in Russian is translated as поднимите руки (podnimite ruki).
This phrase is used as an order to raise one's hands, typically used by police or in a dangerous situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb поднимите (raise/lift) and the noun руки (hands).
Which one should you use?
The shortened version руки вверх (hands up) is a common, more abrupt way to issue the command in high-stress situations. Adding the word вверх (up/upwards) clarifies that the hands should be raised high, which is common in police commands.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the singular imperative подними instead of поднимите makes the command informal or directed at a single person in a less formal context.
How do you pronounce it?
podnimite ruki
Did you know?
- In Russian pop culture and jokes, the phrase руки вверх is inextricably linked to the 1990s boy band of the same name, 'Ruki Vverh!', who were among the most successful acts in post-Soviet history.
- While руки means 'hands', it is also used in Russian to describe a person's skill or aptitude, such as calling someone 'golden hands' золотые руки if they are exceptionally handy.
- In a classroom setting, the phrase поднимите руки is used for students to volunteer or answer a question, making it a phrase of cooperation rather than coercion.
Examples in context
- Поднимите руки вверх и выйдите из машины.Put your hands up and step out of the vehicle.The sentence is useful for practicing the command поднимите руки.Tatoeba #3509627 by marafon, translation #3155596 by CK
- Поднимите руки и не двигайтесь!Podnimite ruki i ne dvigaytes'!Put your hands up and don't move!
- Быстрее, поднимите руки!Bystreye, podnimite ruki!Faster, put your hands up!
Example conversation
A police officer confronts a suspicious man in an alley.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСтоять! Поднимите руки!Stoyat'! Podnimite ruki!Stop! Put your hands up!
- Александр AleksandrХорошо, я поднимаю руки.Khorosho, ya podnimayu ruki.Okay, I am raising my hands.
- Екатерина EkaterinaМедленно поднимите руки вверх.Medlenno podnimite ruki vverkh.Slowly put your hands up.
- Александр AleksandrЯ не представляю опасности.Ya ne predstavlyayu opasnosti.I am not a threat.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
