говори по-русски
govori po-russki
The English phrase "speak russian" translates to Russian as говори по-русски (govori po-russki).
A request or command for someone to use the Russian language when talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb по-русски is composed of the prefix по- and the adjective русский, which literally means "in the Russian manner".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form говорите по-русски is used instead of говори по-русски when addressing a stranger, an elder or a group of people. The infinitive form говорить по-русски is used to express the general ability or the act of speaking Russian.
How do you pronounce it?
govori po-russki
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adjective русский instead of the adverb по-русски when trying to say "speak Russian".
Did you know?
- The word русский refers specifically to the ethnic identity or the language, whereas российский refers to the state or citizenship of the Russian Federation.
- If you use the adjective русский instead of the adverb по-русски, you are accidentally saying you want someone to 'speak a Russian person' rather than 'speak the Russian language'.
- The word русский shares its roots with the name of the river 'Rus', which was the heart of the early Kievan Rus' state.
Examples in context
- Говори по-русски правильно!Speak Russian correctly!This sentence is useful for showing how to use the form говори по-русски with the adverb 'correctly'.Tatoeba #10147086 by marafon, translation #10027739 by ddnktr
- Мы ищем кандидатов, которые говорят по-русскиWe are looking for candidates who speak Russian.
- Давай разговаривать по-русскиLet's speak in Russian.
- Пожалуйста, говори по-русски со мной.Pozhaluysta, govori po-russki so mnoy.Please, speak Russian with me.
- Говори по-русски, если хочешь, чтобы тебя поняли.Govori po-russki, yesli khochesh', chtoby tebya ponyali.Speak Russian if you want to be understood.
Example conversation
Ekaterina is helping Andrey practice his language skills.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАндрей, говори по-русски сейчас.Andrey, govori po-russki seychas.Andrey, speak Russian now.
- Андрей AndreyЯ забыл это слово.Ya zabyl eto slovo.I forgot this word.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПопробуй описать его.Poprobuy opisat' yego.Try to describe it.
- Андрей AndreyХорошо, я попробую.Khorosho, ya poprobuyu.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
