Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| пожа́луйста | požálujsta |
| не́ за что | né za što |
| не сто́ит благода́рности | ne stóit blagodárnosti |
| на здоро́вье | na zdoróvʹje |
Russian offers various ways to respond to thanks depending on the context. пожа́луйста is the standard response, but it also serves as the primary word for 'please' when making a request. For a more casual tone, не́ за что is used to mean 'no problem' or 'don't mention it'. If you have provided someone with food or drink, you can specifically use на здоро́вье.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase не́ за что literally means 'not for what', which implies that there is nothing to be thanked for.
Which one should you use?
While пожа́луйста is the general-purpose way to say 'you're welcome', на здоро́вье is used specifically as a response to thanks after someone has provided food or drink. не́ за что acts as a casual way to say 'it's nothing'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies between these expressions. не сто́ит благода́рности is a formal and highly polite way to say 'you're welcome', which can be translated as 'no need for thanks'. In contrast, ничего is an informal yet polite way to say 'you're welcome' and не́ за что is a casual response meaning 'it's nothing'.
How do you pronounce it?
požálujsta
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, пожа́луйста can be used to express exasperation or disbelief, such as when someone is asking a question for the fifth time.
- While пожа́луйста is used for 'you're welcome' and 'please', it actually comes from the verb 'to wish' or 'to desire'. It essentially functions as a polite way of saying 'if you wish it to be so'.
- The phrase не сто́ит uses a verb that can also mean 'it costs', so the phrase literally implies that 'thanks are not worth the price'.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Dmitry hands Maria a heavy suitcase.
- Мария MariaСпасибо большое за помощь, Дмитрий!Spasibo bolshoye za pomoshch, Dmitriy!Thank you very much for the help, Dmitry!
- Дмитрий DmitryПожа́луйста, Мария. Мне было не трудно.Pozhaluysta, Mariya. Mne bylo ne trudno.You're welcome, Maria. It wasn't hard for me.
- Мария MariaВы очень добры.Vy ochen dobry.You are very kind.
- Дмитрий DmitryРад был помочь.Rad byl pomoch.I was glad to help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you're welcome” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
