вас по́нял
vas pónjal
In Russian, the English phrase 'roger' can be expressed as вас по́нял (vas pónjal) or есть.
Meaning: received (intj)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| вас по́нял | vas pónjal | |
| есть | jestʹ | [jesʲtʲ] (narrow) |
вас по́нял is used in radio communication to confirm that a specific message or instruction has been understood. The word Ро́джер is a related form used as a male given name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase вас по́нял literally means 'understood you'.
Which one should you use?
есть is a much more clipped, military-style way to say 'roger', 'copy' or 'affirmative' compared to the more descriptive вас по́нял.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
есть is used in highly disciplined, formal military or technical radio communications to signal receipt of an order or information. For an informal, relaxed tone, one might use Понятно, which means 'understood'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
vas pónjal
Did you know?
- In informal Russian conversation, using есть to mean 'roger' can come across as jokingly robotic or overly dramatic, mimicking a soldier.
- The word есть descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ésti, which is a distant relative of the English word 'is'.
- The military-style 'roger' in Russian, есть, is a homonym of the word for 'is' or 'exists'.
Examples in context
- Можете ли вы подтвердить получение сообщения? / Понял/Ясно/Принято.Can you confirm the receipt of the message? / Understood/Clear/Received.
- Вас по́нял, приступаю к работе.Vas ponyal, pristupayu k rabote.Roger that, I am starting the work.
- Вас по́нял, ждите моего звонка.Vas ponyal, zhdyite moyego zvonka.Roger, wait for my call.
- Вас по́нял, всё сделаю в срок.Vas ponyal, vsyo sdelayu v srok.Roger, I will do everything on time.
Example conversation
A man is confirming instructions from a woman over a radio.
- Анастасия AnastasiaАндрей, проверьте координаты и доложите.Andrey, proveryte koordinaty i dolozhite.Andrey, check the coordinates and report.
- Андрей AndreyВас по́нял, Анастасия, координаты верны.Vas ponyal, Anastasiya, koordinaty verny.Roger, Anastasia, the coordinates are correct.
- Анастасия AnastasiaХорошо, продолжайте наблюдение.Horosho, prodolzhayte nablyudenie.Good, continue the observation.
- Андрей AndreyЕсть, продолжаю.Est', prodolzhayu.Yes, continuing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “roger” translations and entries есть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries вас, есть, CC BY-SA 4.0.
