Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Спасибо | spasibo | standard |
| Не за что | ne za chto | colloquial |
| Пожалуйста | pozhaluysta | standard |
| Большое спасибо | bolshoye spasibo | emphatic |
Спасибо (spasibo) works with everyone, friends and strangers alike. Пожалуйста (pozhaluysta) is the standard reply, and it also means "please" and "here you are" when you hand something over.
Which one should you use?
Большое спасибо (bolshoye spasibo) means "thank you very much". Another reply to thanks is Не за что (ne za chto), "don't mention it", which sounds a little more casual than Пожалуйста.
How does it change in a sentence?
To thank someone for something, use за (za) with the accusative: Спасибо за помощь (spasibo za pomoshch), "thank you for the help".
How do you pronounce it?
Stress Спасибо on the second syllable, spa-SEE-ba. In fast speech Пожалуйста is often shortened to something like pa-ZHAL-sta, while careful speech keeps all the letters.
When do people say it?
The same word Пожалуйста (pozhaluysta) is used for both "please" and "you're welcome", so a shop assistant may say it when handing you your change.
Did you know?
- The word Спасибо (spasibo) is commonly explained as a contraction of the old phrase спаси Бог (spasi Bog), "God save".
Examples in context
- Спасибо за помощь.Spasibo za pomoshch.Thank you for the help.
- Большое спасибо за подарок.Bolshoye spasibo za podarok.Thank you very much for the gift.
- Пожалуйста, садитесь.Pozhaluysta, sadites.Please, sit down.
Example conversation
Igor hands Anna her coffee at a small cafe.
- IgorВот ваш кофе.Vot vash kofe.Here is your coffee.
- AnnaСпасибо!Spasibo!Thank you!
- IgorПожалуйста.Pozhaluysta.You are welcome.
- AnnaБольшое спасибо.Bolshoye spasibo.Thank you very much.
- IgorНе за что.Ne za chto.Not at all.
