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The 1000 Most Common Russian Words

The core vocabulary of real Russian — ranked by frequency, with translations, CEFR levels and audio for every single word. These 1,000 words cover roughly 85% of everyday speech.

Top 1000 by frequencyNative audioCEFR levelsFree

Why these 1,000 words matter

Russian vocabulary is astonishingly top-heavy: the 100 most frequent words make up about half of everything you will ever hear or read, and the top 1,000 cover roughly 85% of everyday speech. Learn these first and most sentences around you turn from noise into language.

The list below is ranked by how often each word actually occurs in spoken Russian — dictionary forms, with concise English translations, the part of speech, the CEFR level at which learners typically meet the word, and audio for every word in a female and a male voice. Show the top 250, 500 or all 1,000, and flip to A–Z when you want to look something up.

#Play audioWordTranslationLevel
1иandA1
2вin, into, atA1
3неnotA1
4наon, onto, toA1
5яIA1
6бытьto beA1
7чтоwhat; thatA1
8онhe, itA1
9сwith; fromA1
10аand, butA1
11э́тоthis, that; it (is)A1
12какhow; as, likeA1
13ноbutA1
14поalong; by; according toA1
15кto, towardsA1
16уat, by; to have (у меня)A1
17они́theyA1
18мыweA1
19выyou (plural / polite)A1
20весьall, wholeA1
21заbehind; for; beyondA1
22изfrom, out ofA1
23отfrom, away fromA1
24такso, thus; that wayA1
25жеemphatic particle (but; indeed)A1
26дляfor, for the sake ofA1
27оabout; againstA1
28кото́рыйwhich, who, thatA1
29мочьto be able, canA1
30челове́к (m.)person, human, manA1
31год (m.)yearA1
32вре́мя (n.)timeA1
33знатьto knowA1
34даyesA1
35нетno; there is notA1
36хоте́тьto wantA1
37говори́тьto speak, to sayA1
38е́слиifA1
39тоthen; that (one)A1
40быwould (conditional particle)A1
41бо́льшеmore; biggerA1
42то́лькоonly, justA1
43еёher, its; hers; her (possessive)A1
44ещёstill, yet, moreA1
45самoneself; myself, himselfA1
46сказа́тьto say, to tell (perfective)A1
47э́тотthis (masc.)A1
48твойyour, yours (informal)A1
49са́мыйthe most; the veryA1
50мойmy, mineA1
51его́his; him, itA1
52тепе́рьnow, nowadaysA1
53де́ло (n.)matter, affair, businessA1
54тыyou (singular, informal)A1
55приat; near; in the presence ofA1
56како́йwhat kind of; whichA1
57безwithoutA1
58ви́детьto seeA1
59де́латьto do, to make (imperfective)A1
60жизнь (f.)lifeA1
61нашour, oursA1
62ктоwhoA1
63день (m.)dayA1
64рука́ (f.)hand, armA1
65оди́нone; a certain; aloneA1
66раз (m.)time (occasion); onceA1
67тамthereA1
68сло́во (n.)wordA1
69идти́to go (on foot), to walkA1
70тако́йsuch, so; that kind ofA1
71нуwell; come on (particle)A1
72ме́сто (n.)place, spot; seatA1
73свойone's ownA1
74друго́йother, another; differentA1
75глаз (m.)eyeA1
76тотthat (one)A1
77рабо́та (f.)work, jobA1
78ду́матьto thinkA1
79гдеwhereA1
80да́жеevenA1
81друг (m.)friendA1
82лиwhether, if (question particle)A1
83тутhereA1
84ведьyou see; after all (particle)A2
85себя́oneselfA1
86пе́рвыйfirstA1
87ну́жноneed to; necessaryA1
88вотhere (is); there (particle)A1
89ничего́nothing; never mindA1
90себе́to oneself (dative)A1
91подunder; towardsA1
92житьto liveA1
93дом (m.)house, homeA1
94статьto become; to begin (perfective)A1
95о́ченьveryA1
96че́резthrough; across; in (time)A1
97пото́мthen, afterwardsA1
98когда́whenA1
99уже́alreadyA1
100и́лиorA1
101сторона́ (f.)side; directionA2
102жена́ (f.)wifeA1
103голова́ (f.)headA1
104дваtwoA1
105вопро́с (m.)question, issueA1
106систе́ма (f.)systemA2
107сейча́сnow, right nowA1
108по́слеafterA1
109рабо́татьto workA1
110ребёнок (m.)childA1
111си́ла (f.)strength, force, powerA2
112оте́ц (m.)fatherA1
113же́нщина (f.)womanA1
114маши́на (f.)car; machineA1
115земля́ (f.)earth, land, groundA1
116коне́ц (m.)endA1
117самолёт (m.)airplaneA2
118хорошо́well, good; okayA1
119го́род (m.)city, townA1
120вода́ (f.)waterA1
121жёлтыйyellowA1
122отве́т (m.)answer, replyA1
123глава́ (f.)head (chief); chapterA2
124про́стоsimply, justA1
125то́жеalso, tooA1
126до́лжныйdue, obligated (должен: must)A1
127взятьto take (perfective)A1
128война́ (f.)warA2
129ме́ждуbetween, amongA1
130спроси́тьto ask (perfective)A1
131больно́йsick, ill; a patientA2
132по́мнитьto rememberA1
133отве́титьto answer (perfective)A1
134дверь (f.)doorA1
135стол (m.)table; deskA1
136найти́to find (perfective)A1
137но́выйnewA1
138мать (f.)motherA1
139поня́тьto understand (perfective)A1
140опя́тьagainA1
141сли́шкомtoo (much)A2
142вид (m.)view; appearance; kindA2
143страна́ (f.)countryA1
144триthreeA1
145ждатьto waitA1
146нога́ (f.)leg, footA1
147приме́р (m.)exampleA2
148вме́стеtogetherA1
149датьto give (perfective)A1
150потому́because (потому что)A1
151нача́тьto begin (perfective)A1
152де́ньги (m.)money (plurale tantum)A1
153игра́тьto playA1
154ходи́тьto go, to walk (habitually)A1
155мир (m.)world; peaceA1
156слу́чай (m.)case; occasion; chanceA2
157ночь (f.)nightA1
158сра́зуat once, immediatelyA2
159лицо́ (n.)face; personA1
160проси́тьto ask, to requestA1
161ум (m.)mind, intellectA2
162исто́рия (f.)story; historyA1
163кни́га (f.)bookA1
164ру́сскийRussianA1
165смотре́тьto watch, to lookA1
166ряд (m.)row; seriesA2
167почему́whyA1
168часть (f.)partA1
169про́тивagainst; oppositeA2
170това́рищ (m.)comrade, companionA2
171пра́во (n.)right (entitlement); lawA2
172гру́ппа (f.)groupA1
173нача́ло (n.)beginning, startA2
174вообще́in general; at allA2
175свет (m.)light; world (high society)A1
176зватьto call, to nameA1
177пробле́ма (f.)problemA1
178сын (m.)sonA1
179у́лица (f.)streetA1
180мину́та (f.)minuteA1
181ве́чер (m.)eveningA1
182войти́to enter, to go inA2
183большо́йbig, large; greatA1
184люби́тьto love, to likeA1
185това́р (m.)goods, productA2
186смерть (f.)deathA2
187пора́ (f.)time (it's time); seasonA2
188вести́to lead, to conductA2
189стоя́тьto standA1
190слы́шатьto hearA1
191но́мер (m.)number; hotel roomA1
192о́бщийgeneral, commonA2
193по́лныйfull, completeA2
194хотя́although, thoughA2
195реши́тьto decide; to solveA1
196име́тьto have, to possessA1
197число́ (n.)number; dateA2
198сиде́тьto sitA1
199гляде́тьto look, to gazeA2
200большинство́ (n.)majorityA2
201пойти́to go (set off, perfective)A1
202ужindeed, surely (particle)A2
203нельзя́one cannot, must notA1
204о́бласть (f.)region; field, areaA2
205дере́вня (f.)village; countrysideA2
206сего́дняtodayA1
207понима́тьto understand (imperfective)A1
208назва́ние (n.)name, titleA2
209госуда́рство (n.)state, governmentA2
210бог (m.)godA1
211молодо́йyoungA1
212доро́га (f.)road, way; journeyA1
213писа́тьto writeA1
214ва́жныйimportantA2
215се́рдце (n.)heartA1
216ско́лькоhow much, how manyA1
217план (m.)planA2
218учи́тель (m.)teacherA1
219ма́ленькийsmall, littleA1
220уйти́to leave, to go away (perfective)A1
221сде́латьto do, to make (perfective)A1
222мо́ре (n.)seaA1
223взгляд (m.)look, glance; viewA2
224моме́нт (m.)momentA2
225ну́жныйnecessary, neededA2
226де́ятельность (f.)activityB1
227встре́ча (f.)meeting; encounterA2
228зако́н (m.)lawA2
229наве́рноеprobably, most likelyA2
230усло́вие (n.)condition, termB1
231чита́тьto readA1
232называ́тьto call, to name (imperfective)A2
233верну́тьсяto return, to come backA1
234окно́ (n.)windowA1
235слу́шатьto listenA1
236значе́ние (n.)meaning; significanceB1
237нра́витьсяto please, to be likedA1
238у́ровень (m.)levelA2
239геро́й (m.)hero; characterA2
240спаси́боthank youA1
241фо́рма (f.)form, shape; uniformA2
242начина́тьto begin (imperfective)A1
243дава́тьto give (imperfective)A1
244я́сныйclear, brightA2
245взро́слыйadult, grown-upA2
246приходи́тьto come, to arrive (imperfective)A1
247о́бщество (n.)societyB1
248зна́читьto mean, to signifyA2
249сове́тскийSovietB1
250сно́ваagain, once moreA2
251созда́тьto create (perfective)A2
252путь (m.)way, path, routeA2
253програ́мма (f.)programA2
254кра́сныйredA1
255боя́тьсяto be afraidA1
256наконе́цfinally, at lastA2
257бли́зкийclose, nearA2
258по́мощь (f.)help, aidA1
259учи́тьсяto study, to learnA1
260семья́ (f.)familyA1
261госуда́рственныйstate (adj.), governmentalB1
262реше́ние (n.)decision; solutionA2
263па́мять (f.)memoryA2
264посмотре́тьto look, to have a look (perfective)A1
265кварти́ра (f.)apartment, flatA1
266называ́тьсяto be called (named)A2
267ра́зныйdifferent, variousA2
268улы́бка (f.)smileA2
269ве́ритьto believe, to trustA1
270краси́выйbeautiful, handsomeA1
271со́лнце (n.)sunA1
272заче́мwhy, what forA2
273язы́к (m.)language; tongueA1
274бума́га (f.)paperA2
275внима́ние (n.)attentionA2
276находи́тьсяto be located, to be foundA2
277отве́тственность (f.)responsibilityB1
278газе́та (f.)newspaperA1
279высо́кийhigh, tallA1
280получи́тьto get, to receive (perfective)A1
281мысль (f.)thought, ideaA2
282оказа́тьсяto turn out, to end upA2
283эконо́мика (f.)economyB1
284рассказа́тьto tell, to recount (perfective)A1
285век (m.)century; ageA2
286но́чьюat nightA2
287просто́йsimple, easyA1
288счита́тьto count; to considerA2
289основно́йmain, basicA2
290мне́ние (n.)opinionA2
291изве́стныйfamous, well-knownA2
292умере́тьto die (perfective)A2
293оконча́ние (n.)ending, completionB1
294провести́to spend (time); to conductA2
295совреме́нныйmodern, contemporaryA2
296появи́тьсяto appear (perfective)A2
297уча́стие (n.)participationB1
298уваже́ние (n.)respectB1
299испо́льзоватьto use, to make use ofA2
300нра́вственныйmoral, ethicalB1
301звезда́ (f.)starA2
302плати́тьto payA1
303магази́н (m.)shop, storeA1
304прое́кт (m.)projectA2
305ста́рыйoldA1
306у́мныйclever, smartA2
307случи́тьсяto happen (perfective)A2
308помо́чьto help (perfective)A1
309вспо́мнитьto recall, to rememberA2
310ме́сяц (m.)month; moonA1
311встатьto stand up, to get upA1
312оши́бка (f.)mistake, errorA1
313зелёныйgreenA1
314молча́тьto be silentA2
315откры́тьto open (perfective)A1
316нести́to carry (one direction)A2
317компа́ния (f.)company; group of friendsA2
318зна́читso, that means (particle)A2
319бе́лыйwhiteA1
320кровь (f.)bloodA2
321де́рево (n.)tree; woodA1
322зави́сетьto dependA2
323террито́рия (f.)territoryB1
324поду́матьto think, to have a think (perfective)A1
325сле́дующийnext, followingA2
326смысл (m.)sense, meaning; pointA2
327обы́чноusuallyA1
328необходи́мыйnecessary, essentialB1
329собы́тие (n.)eventA2
330доста́точноenough, sufficientlyA2
331информа́ция (f.)informationA2
332испо́льзование (n.)use, usageB1
333моро́з (m.)frostA2
334хлеб (m.)breadA2
335улыба́тьсяto smileA2
336цвет (m.)colorA2
337встреча́тьto meet (imperfective)A2
338учёный (m.)scientist; scholarlyB1
339де́вушка (f.)girl; young womanA1
340ве́черомin the eveningA2
341холо́дныйcoldA1
342муж (m.)husbandA1
343реша́тьto decide; to solve (imperfective)A2
344па́лец (m.)finger; toeA2
345страни́ца (f.)pageA2
346тёплыйwarmA1
347не́бо (n.)sky; heavenA1
348снег (m.)snowA2
349зима́ (f.)winterA1
350ве́тер (m.)windA2
351лес (m.)forestA2
352гора́ (f.)mountainA2
353река́ (f.)riverA2
354сча́стье (n.)happiness; luckA2
355ра́дость (f.)joy, gladnessA2
356любо́вь (f.)loveA2
357страх (m.)fearA2
358петьto singA1
359танцева́тьto danceA1
360бежа́тьto run (one direction)A1
361лежа́тьto lie, to be lyingA1
362спатьto sleepA1
363естьto eat; there isA1
364питьto drinkA1
365купи́тьto buy (perfective)A1
366продава́тьto sellA2
367открыва́тьto open (imperfective)A2
368закры́тьto close, to shut (perfective)A1
369носи́тьto carry; to wearA2
370бро́ситьto throw; to quitA2
371подня́тьto lift, to raise (perfective)A2
372упа́стьto fall (perfective)A2
373держа́тьto hold, to keepA2
374теря́тьto lose (imperfective)A2
375иска́тьto look for, to searchA1
376ма́ма (f.)mom, mommyA1
377па́па (m.)dad, daddyA1
378брат (m.)brotherA1
379сестра́ (f.)sisterA1
380дя́дя (m.)uncleA1
381де́душка (m.)grandfatherA1
382ба́бушка (f.)grandmotherA1
383дочь (f.)daughterA2
384ребя́та (m.)guys, kids (colloquial pl.)A2
385учени́к (m.)pupil, studentA1
386врач (m.)doctor, physicianA1
387студе́нт (m.)student (university)A1
388шко́ла (f.)schoolA1
389университе́т (m.)universityA2
390уро́к (m.)lessonA1
391ру́чка (f.)pen; handleA2
392ко́мната (f.)roomA1
393ку́хня (f.)kitchen; cuisineA2
394стул (m.)chairA1
395крова́ть (f.)bedA1
396пол (m.)floor; genderA1
397стена́ (f.)wallA2
398телефо́н (m.)telephone, phoneA2
399компью́тер (m.)computerA2
400фотогра́фия (f.)photograph; photographyA2
401за́втраtomorrowA1
402вчера́yesterdayA1
403у́тромin the morningA1
404всегда́alwaysA1
405никогда́neverA1
406иногда́sometimesA1
407ча́стоoftenA1
408ре́дкоrarely, seldomA2
409ра́ноearlyA1
410по́здноlateA1
411бы́строquickly, fastA1
412ме́дленноslowlyA2
413гро́мкоloudlyA2
414ти́хоquietly; softlyA2
415здесьhereA1
416везде́everywhereA2
417домо́йhome (motion homeward)A1
418вперёдforward, aheadA2
419наза́дback, backwards; agoA2
420вокру́гaroundA2
421сле́ваon the leftA2
422спра́ваon the rightA2
423наверху́above, upstairsB1
424внизу́below, downstairsB1
425мо́жетmaybe (может быть)A1
426коне́чноof course, certainlyA1
427наприме́рfor exampleA2
428кста́тиby the wayB1
429почти́almost, nearlyA2
430совсе́мcompletely, quiteA2
431соверше́нноabsolutely, entirelyB1
432и́менноexactly, preciselyB1
433осо́бенноespeciallyA2
434вдругsuddenlyA2
435снару́жиoutsideB1
436внутри́insideA2
437тепло́ (n.)warmth; it is warmA2
438хо́лод (m.)cold (n.)A2
439дождь (m.)rainA1
440о́блако (n.)cloudA2
441весна́ (f.)spring (season)A1
442ле́то (n.)summerA1
443о́сень (f.)autumn, fallA1
444пого́да (f.)weatherA1
445цвето́к (m.)flowerA1
446трава́ (f.)grassA2
447живо́тное (n.)animalA1
448соба́ка (f.)dogA1
449ко́шка (f.)catA1
450пти́ца (f.)birdA1
451ры́ба (f.)fishA1
452ло́шадь (f.)horseA2
453коро́ва (f.)cowA2
454молоко́ (n.)milkA1
455мя́со (n.)meatA1
456яйцо́ (n.)eggA1
457сыр (m.)cheeseA1
458ма́сло (n.)butter; oilA1
459суп (m.)soupA1
460чай (m.)teaA1
461ко́фе (m.)coffeeA1
462са́хар (m.)sugarA1
463соль (f.)saltA2
464фрукт (m.)fruitA1
465о́вощ (m.)vegetableA2
466я́блоко (n.)appleA1
467обе́д (m.)lunch; dinnerA1
468за́втрак (m.)breakfastA1
469у́жин (m.)supper, dinnerA1
470оде́жда (f.)clothes, clothingA1
471пла́тье (n.)dressA1
472руба́шка (f.)shirtA2
473о́бувь (f.)footwear, shoesA2
474ша́пка (f.)hat, capA2
475су́мка (f.)bagA1
476кошелёк (m.)wallet, purseA2
477цена́ (f.)priceA1
478рубль (m.)rubleA1
479копе́йка (f.)kopeckA2
480банк (m.)bankA1
481биле́т (m.)ticketA1
482по́езд (m.)trainA1
483авто́бус (m.)busA1
484метро́ (n.)metro, subwayA1
485аэропо́рт (m.)airportA2
486вокза́л (m.)railway stationA2
487остано́вка (f.)stop (bus stop)A2
488путеше́ствие (n.)trip, journeyA2
489гости́ница (f.)hotelA2
490больни́ца (f.)hospitalA1
491апте́ка (f.)pharmacyA2
492здоро́вье (n.)healthA2
493боле́знь (f.)illness, diseaseA2
494боль (f.)painA2
495те́ло (n.)bodyA2
496зуб (m.)toothA2
497во́лос (m.)hairA2
498нос (m.)noseA2
499у́хо (n.)earA2
500рот (m.)mouthA2
501спина́ (f.)back (body)A2
502рабо́тник (m.)worker, employeeA2
503нача́льник (m.)boss, chiefA2
504дире́ктор (m.)director, managerA2
505инжене́р (m.)engineerA2
506продаве́ц (m.)salespersonA2
507писа́тель (m.)writerA2
508худо́жник (m.)artist, painterA2
509музыка́нт (m.)musicianA2
510актёр (m.)actorA2
511му́зыка (f.)musicA1
512пе́сня (f.)songA1
513фильм (m.)film, movieA1
514теа́тр (m.)theaterA2
515иску́сство (n.)artB1
516карти́на (f.)painting, pictureA2
517спорт (m.)sportA1
518игра́ (f.)game; playA1
519мяч (m.)ballA2
520кома́нда (f.)team; commandA2
521побе́да (f.)victoryA2
522пра́здник (m.)holiday, celebrationA1
523пода́рок (m.)gift, presentA1
524гость (m.)guestA2
525сосе́д (m.)neighborA2
526челове́чество (n.)humanity, mankindB1
527наро́д (m.)people, nationA2
528власть (f.)power, authorityB1
529президе́нт (m.)presidentA2
530поли́тика (f.)politics; policyB1
531культу́ра (f.)cultureA2
532рели́гия (f.)religionB1
533це́рковь (f.)churchA2
534суд (m.)court; trialA2
535поли́ция (f.)policeA2
536а́рмия (f.)armyA2
537солда́т (m.)soldierA2
538ору́жие (n.)weapon(s)B1
539грани́ца (f.)border, boundaryA2
540нау́ка (f.)scienceA2
541приро́да (f.)natureA2
542во́здух (m.)airA2
543ого́нь (m.)fireA2
544ка́мень (m.)stoneA2
545песо́к (m.)sandB1
546зо́лото (n.)goldA2
547желе́зо (n.)iron (metal)B1
548у́голь (m.)coalB1
549нефть (f.)oil, petroleumB1
550газ (m.)gasA2
551эне́ргия (f.)energyB1
552ско́рость (f.)speedA2
553вес (m.)weightA2
554разме́р (m.)sizeA2
555длина́ (f.)lengthB1
556высота́ (f.)heightB1
557ширина́ (f.)widthB1
558глубина́ (f.)depthB1
559температу́ра (f.)temperatureA2
560коли́чество (n.)quantity, amountB1
561ка́чество (n.)qualityB1
562цель (f.)goal, aim; targetA2
563причи́на (f.)cause, reasonA2
564результа́т (m.)resultA2
565спо́соб (m.)way, methodA2
566о́пыт (m.)experience; experimentA2
567зна́ние (n.)knowledgeA2
568иде́я (f.)ideaA2
569пра́вда (f.)truthA1
570ложь (f.)lie, falsehoodB1
571секре́т (m.)secretA2
572слух (m.)hearing; rumorB1
573звук (m.)soundA2
574го́лос (m.)voice; voteA2
575за́пах (m.)smell, odorA2
576вкус (m.)tasteA2
577чу́вство (n.)feeling, senseA2
578настрое́ние (n.)moodA2
579мечта́ (f.)dream (aspiration)A2
580сон (m.)dream (sleep); sleepA1
581наде́жда (f.)hopeA2
582жа́лость (f.)pityB1
583гнев (m.)anger, wrathB1
584смех (m.)laughterA2
585слеза́ (f.)tear (crying)A2
586хара́ктер (m.)character, temperamentA2
587добро́ (n.)good, kindnessA2
588зло (n.)evilA2
589ошиба́тьсяto be mistakenA2
590мечта́тьto dream (aspire)A2
591наде́ятьсяto hopeA2
592ненави́детьto hateA2
593ра́доватьсяto rejoice, to be gladA2
594пла́катьto cry, to weepA2
595смея́тьсяto laughA2
596чу́вствоватьto feelA2
597боле́тьto be ill; to acheA2
598отдыха́тьto rest, to relaxA1
599путеше́ствоватьto travelA2
600гото́витьto cook; to prepareA1
601плохо́йbadA1
602хоро́шийgoodA1
603до́брыйkind, goodA1
604злойangry; evil, meanA2
605весёлыйcheerful, merryA2
606гру́стныйsadA2
607счастли́выйhappyA2
608глу́пыйstupid, sillyA2
609си́льныйstrongA1
610сла́быйweakA2
611здоро́выйhealthyA2
612бога́тыйrich, wealthyA2
613бе́дныйpoorA2
614ста́ршийolder, seniorA2
615мла́дшийyounger, juniorA2
616дли́нныйlongA1
617коро́ткийshortA1
618широ́кийwide, broadA2
619у́зкийnarrowA2
620глубо́кийdeepA2
621ни́зкийlowA1
622тяжёлыйheavy; difficultA2
623лёгкийlight (weight); easyA1
624тру́дныйdifficult, hardA1
625бы́стрыйfast, quickA1
626ме́дленныйslowA2
627чи́стыйclean; pureA1
628гря́зныйdirtyA2
629горя́чийhot (to touch)A1
630све́тлыйlight, brightA2
631тёмныйdarkA2
632чёрныйblackA1
633си́нийblue (dark blue)A1
634голубо́йlight blueA2
635се́рыйgrayA2
636кори́чневыйbrownA2
637ро́зовыйpinkA2
638ора́нжевыйorange (color)A2
639све́жийfreshA2
640вку́сныйtasty, deliciousA1
641сла́дкийsweetA2
642го́рькийbitterB1
643о́стрыйsharp; spicyB1
644ки́слыйsourB1
645интере́сныйinterestingA1
646ску́чныйboringA2
647стра́нныйstrange, oddA2
648обы́чныйusual, ordinaryA2
649настоя́щийreal, genuine; presentA2
650гла́вныйmain, chiefA2
651опа́сныйdangerousA2
652свобо́дныйfree; vacantA2
653за́нятыйbusy; occupiedA2
654гото́выйreadyA2
655возмо́жныйpossibleA2
656уве́ренныйconfident, sureB1
657похо́жийsimilar, alikeA2
658одина́ковыйidentical, the sameA2
659це́лыйwhole, entireA2
660пусто́йemptyA2
661знако́мыйfamiliar; an acquaintanceA2
662иностра́нныйforeignA2
663родно́йnative; dearA2
664люби́мыйfavorite; belovedA2
665еди́нственныйonly, soleB1
666про́шлыйlast, previousA2
667бу́дущийfuture (adj.)A2
668ра́ннийearly (adj.)A2
669по́зднийlate (adj.)A2
670ча́стыйfrequentB1
671ли́чныйpersonal, privateA2
672обще́ственныйpublic, socialB1
673культу́рныйcultural; culturedB1
674нау́чныйscientificB1
675вое́нныйmilitaryA2
676полити́ческийpoliticalB1
677экономи́ческийeconomicB1
678национа́льныйnationalB1
679междунаро́дныйinternationalB1
680ме́стныйlocalA2
681центра́льныйcentralA2
682обяза́тельноdefinitely, without failA2
683возмо́жноpossibly, maybeA2
684действи́тельноreally, indeedB1
685абсолю́тноabsolutelyB1
686пря́моstraight; directlyA2
687то́чноexactly; preciselyA2
688вме́стоinstead ofA2
689кро́меexcept, besidesA2
690о́колоnear; aboutA2
691среди́among, amidA2
692благодаря́thanks toB1
693несмотря́despite (несмотря на)B1
694поэ́томуtherefore, that is whyA2
695зато́but then, on the other handB1
696одна́коhoweverA2
697что́быin order to; thatA1
698пока́while; for now; byeA1
699бу́дтоas if, as thoughB1
700сло́вноlike, as ifB1
701та́кжеalso, as wellA2
702причёмmoreover; and what is moreB1
703и́боfor, because (bookish)B2
704ли́боeither, orB1
705нибу́дь-ever (кто-нибудь: anyone)A2
706ра́звеreally? (interrogative particle)B1
707неуже́лиreally?, is it possible? (particle)B1
708лишьonly, merelyB1
709молreportedly, he says (particle)B2
710де́скатьsupposedly, they say (particle)B2
711ага́aha, yeah (interjection)A2
712ойoh! (interjection)A1
713ахah! (interjection)A2
714ура́hurrah! (interjection)A2
715алло́hello (on the phone)A1
716приве́тhi, hello (informal)A1
717здра́вствуйтеhello (formal)A1
718пожа́луйстаplease; you are welcomeA1
719извини́теexcuse me, sorry (formal)A1
720чёртdamn; devil (mild expletive)B1
721блинdarn (euphemistic); pancakeB1
722полага́тьto suppose, to believeB1
723узна́тьto find out; to recognizeA2
724забы́тьto forget (perfective)A1
725учи́тьto teach; to learn (memorize)A1
726изуча́тьto study (a subject)A2
727объясни́тьto explain (perfective)A2
728показа́тьto show (perfective)A1
729заме́титьto notice (perfective)A2
730происходи́тьto happen, to occurA2
731станови́тьсяto become (imperfective)A2
732остава́тьсяto remain, to stayA2
733оста́витьto leave (behind); to keepA2
734получа́тьto receive (imperfective)A2
735потеря́тьto lose (perfective)A2
736находи́тьto find (imperfective)A2
737выбира́тьto choose (imperfective)A2
738вы́братьto choose (perfective)A2
739про́боватьto try, to attempt; to tasteA2
740пыта́тьсяto try, to attemptA2
741уме́тьto know how, to be ableA1
742продолжа́тьto continue (imperfective)A2
743ко́нчитьto finish (perfective)A2
744зака́нчиватьto finish (imperfective)A2
745отдохну́тьto rest (perfective)A2
746засну́тьto fall asleepA2
747просну́тьсяto wake up (perfective)A2
748мытьto washA2
749чи́ститьto clean; to brushA2
750убира́тьto tidy up; to removeA2
751стро́итьto buildA2
752создава́тьto create (imperfective)A2
753измени́тьto change (perfective)A2
754меня́тьсяto change (intransitive)A2
755расти́to growA2
756увели́читьto increase (perfective)B1
757уме́ньшитьto reduce, to decreaseB1
758закрыва́тьto close (imperfective)A2
759входи́тьto enter (imperfective)A2
760выходи́тьto go out, to exitA2
761приезжа́тьto arrive (by vehicle)A2
762уезжа́тьto leave (by vehicle)A2
763е́хатьto go (by vehicle), to rideA1
764лете́тьto fly (one direction)A2
765плытьto swim; to sailA2
766па́датьto fall (imperfective)A2
767броса́тьto throw (imperfective)A2
768лови́тьto catch (imperfective)A2
769тяну́тьto pull, to dragB1
770толка́тьto pushB1
771ре́затьto cutA2
772лома́тьto breakA2
773чини́тьto repair, to mendB1
774кра́ситьto paint, to dyeB1
775рисова́тьto drawA2
776фотографи́роватьto photographB1
777звони́тьto call, to phoneA1
778отпра́витьto send (perfective)A2
779посыла́тьto send (imperfective)A2
780дари́тьto give (as a gift)A2
781братьto take (imperfective)A1
782приноси́тьto bring (on foot)A2
783вози́тьto transport, to carry (by vehicle)B1
784провожа́тьto see off, to accompanyB1
785помога́тьto help (imperfective)A1
786меша́тьto disturb; to stirA2
787сове́товатьto adviseA2
788предлага́тьto offer, to suggestA2
789обеща́тьto promiseA2
790благодари́тьto thankA2
791извини́тьto excuse, to forgiveA2
792проща́тьto forgive (imperfective)A2
793руга́тьto scoldB1
794крича́тьto shout, to cry outA2
795вратьto lie, to tell lies (colloquial)B1
796спра́шиватьto ask (imperfective)A2
797отвеча́тьto answer (imperfective)A2
798повторя́тьto repeatA2
799обсужда́тьto discussB1
800договори́тьсяto agree, to arrangeB1
801четы́реfourA1
802пятьfiveA1
803шестьsixA1
804семьsevenA1
805во́семьeightA1
806де́вятьnineA1
807де́сятьtenA1
808оди́ннадцатьelevenA1
809два́дцатьtwentyA1
810три́дцатьthirtyA1
811со́рокfortyA1
812пятьдеся́тfiftyA2
813стоhundredA1
814ты́сячаthousandA1
815миллио́нmillionA2
816второ́йsecondA1
817тре́тийthirdA1
818полови́на (f.)halfA2
819че́тверть (f.)quarterB1
820па́ра (f.)pair; coupleA2
821дю́жина (f.)dozenB2
822не́сколькоseveral, a fewA2
823мно́гоmany, muchA1
824ма́лоfew, littleA1
825ме́ньшеless; fewerA2
826весьма́quite, rather (bookish)B1
827чересчу́рexcessively, too muchB1
828сто́лькоso much, so manyA2
829отде́льныйseparate, individualB1
830ка́ждыйeach, everyA1
831любо́йany, whicheverA2
832не́которыйsome, certainA2
833ино́йother, different (bookish)B1
834сама́herself (f.)A2
835всёeverything; allA1
836всеeveryone, all (people)A1
837пра́вильныйcorrect, rightA2
838гла́вное (n.)the main thingA2
839никто́nobody, no oneA2
840ничто́nothingB1
841не́ктоsomeone (bookish)B2
842не́чтоsomething (bookish)B2
843чейwhoseA2
844те́ма (f.)topic, theme, subjectA2
845куда́where (to)A1
846отку́даwhere fromA2
847сюда́here (to here)A2
848туда́there (to there)A2
849зате́мthen, after thatA2
850снача́лаat first, firstA2
851вдоба́вокin addition, besidesB2
852вновьanew, again (bookish)B1
853ско́роsoonA1
854давно́long ago; for a long timeA2
855неда́вноrecentlyA2
856до́лгоfor a long timeA2
857постоя́нноconstantlyB1
858неме́дленноimmediatelyB1
859во́времяon time, in timeB1
860наедине́alone (together), privatelyB2
861одино́коlonely, aloneB1
862середи́на (f.)middleA2
863край (m.)edge; regionA2
864у́гол (m.)corner; angleA2
865центр (m.)centerA1
866верх (m.)topA2
867низ (m.)bottomB1
868ито́г (m.)total; resultB1
869шту́ка (f.)piece, item; thingA2
870предме́т (m.)object; subjectA2
871вещь (f.)thingA1
872аппара́т (m.)apparatus, deviceB1
873инструме́нт (m.)tool, instrumentB1
874нож (m.)knifeA2
875ло́жка (f.)spoonA2
876ви́лка (f.)fork; plugA2
877таре́лка (f.)plateA2
878ча́шка (f.)cupA1
879стака́н (m.)glass (drinking)A2
880буты́лка (f.)bottleA2
881коро́бка (f.)boxA2
882ключ (m.)keyA2
883замо́к (m.)lock (за́мок: castle)A2
884часы́ (m.)clock, watch (pl.)A1
885зе́ркало (n.)mirrorA2
886свеча́ (f.)candleB1
887ла́мпа (f.)lampA2
888ковёр (m.)carpet, rugB1
889дива́н (m.)sofa, couchA2
890шкаф (m.)wardrobe, cupboardA2
891по́лка (f.)shelfA2
892эта́ж (m.)floor, storyA2
893кры́ша (f.)roofA2
894сад (m.)gardenA1
895двор (m.)yard, courtyardA2
896по́ле (n.)fieldA2
897мост (m.)bridgeA2
898пло́щадь (f.)square (place); areaA2
899парк (m.)parkA1
900рестора́н (m.)restaurantA1
901кафе́ (n.)cafeA1
902ры́нок (m.)marketA2
903о́фис (m.)officeA2
904заво́д (m.)factory, plantA2
905фа́брика (f.)factoryB1
906село́ (n.)village (with a church)B1
907столи́ца (f.)capital (city)A2
908респу́блика (f.)republicB1
909райо́н (m.)district, areaA2
910до́лжность (f.)position, post (job)B1
911профе́ссия (f.)professionA2
912би́знес (m.)businessA2
913зарпла́та (f.)salary, wagesA2
914о́тпуск (m.)vacation, leaveA2
915докуме́нт (m.)documentA2
916письмо́ (n.)letter (mail)A1
917сообще́ние (n.)messageA2
918журна́л (m.)magazine; journalA2
919но́вость (f.)news (item)A2
920расска́з (m.)story, taleA2
921рома́н (m.)novel; romanceA2
922стихи́ (m.)poems, poetry (pl.)B1
923ска́зка (f.)fairy taleA2
924зада́ние (n.)assignment, taskA2
925зада́ча (f.)task; problem (math)A2
926посту́пок (m.)act, deedB1
927тру́дность (f.)difficultyB1
928ситуа́ция (f.)situationA2
929положе́ние (n.)position; situationB1
930возмо́жность (f.)opportunity, possibilityA2
931свобо́да (f.)freedom, libertyA2
932поря́док (m.)order (arrangement)A2
933пра́вило (n.)ruleA2
934о́браз (m.)image; manner, wayB1
935осно́ва (f.)basis, foundationB1
936су́мма (f.)sum, amountA2
937счёт (m.)account; bill; scoreA2
938сто́имость (f.)cost, valueB1
939проду́кт (m.)product; foodstuffA2
940поку́пка (f.)purchaseA2
941колесо́ (n.)wheelA2
942пое́здка (f.)trip, journeyA2
943кварта́л (m.)block (city); quarterB1
944уча́сток (m.)plot, sectionB1
945о́зеро (n.)lakeA2
946бе́рег (m.)shore, bank, coastA2
947доли́на (f.)valleyB1
948о́стров (m.)islandA2
949знамени́тость (f.)celebrityB1
950луна́ (f.)moonA2
951плане́та (f.)planetA2
952ко́смос (m.)space, cosmosB1
953эпо́ха (f.)era, epochB1
954столе́тие (n.)century (anniversary)B1
955неде́ля (f.)weekA1
956су́тки (f.)day (24 hours, pl.)B1
957час (m.)hour; o'clockA1
958мгнове́ние (n.)instant, momentB1
959срок (m.)term, deadlineB1
960пери́од (m.)periodB1
961понеде́льник (m.)MondayA1
962вто́рник (m.)TuesdayA1
963среда́ (f.)Wednesday; environmentA1
964четве́рг (m.)ThursdayA1
965пя́тница (f.)FridayA1
966суббо́та (f.)SaturdayA1
967воскресе́нье (n.)SundayA1
968янва́рь (m.)JanuaryA2
969февра́ль (m.)FebruaryA2
970март (m.)MarchA2
971апре́ль (m.)AprilA2
972май (m.)MayA2
973ию́нь (m.)JuneA2
974ию́ль (m.)JulyA2
975а́вгуст (m.)AugustA2
976сентя́брь (m.)SeptemberA2
977октя́брь (m.)OctoberA2
978ноя́брь (m.)NovemberA2
979дека́брь (m.)DecemberA2
980се́вер (m.)northA2
981юг (m.)southA2
982восто́к (m.)eastA2
983за́пад (m.)westA2
984англи́йскийEnglish (adj.)A1
985ро́дина (f.)homelandA2
986граждани́н (m.)citizenB1
987и́мя (n.)name (first name)A1
988фами́лия (f.)surname, last nameA1
989во́зраст (m.)ageA2
990а́дрес (m.)addressA1
991ху́жеworseA2
992мо́жноone may, it is possibleA1
993лу́чшеbetterA1
994на́доneed to, mustA1
995жальit is a pity, sorryA2
996жа́лкоit is a pity (colloquial)A2
997пустьlet (пусть идёт: let him go)A2
998вонover there (particle)A2
999ажeven, all the way (colloquial)B1
1000здо́ровоgreat!, cool! (colloquial)A2

Showing the top 1000 of 1000 words, by frequency · audio: female voice

Frequently asked questions

Why learn Russian words by frequency?

Word frequency is brutally top-heavy: a small core of words does almost all the work in everyday speech. Learning in frequency order front-loads exactly those words, so every hour of study unlocks the largest possible share of real conversations, shows and books — instead of textbook chapter vocabulary you might not meet for months.

How many Russian words do I need to understand conversations?

The 100 most common Russian words already cover roughly half of everyday speech, the top 1,000 around 85%, and about 2,500–3,000 words push you past 95%. That last stretch is the long tail — but this list is the highest-value first mile: master it and most sentences you hear will be built from words you know.

What do the CEFR levels next to the words mean?

Each word carries the CEFR level (A1–B2) at which learners typically study it. Most of the top 1,000 is A1–A2 — high frequency and beginner vocabulary largely overlap — with the tail reaching into B1–B2. If the B1 and B2 words in the list feel unfamiliar, that is a normal place for an A2 learner to be.

How was the audio made?

Every word was recorded individually with two studio-grade neural text-to-speech voices — one female, one male — so you can hear each word in isolation and compare pronunciations. Use the voice toggle above the table to switch; the clips are short, natural and free to replay as often as you like.

Is this a list of dictionary forms or word forms?

Dictionary forms (lemmas): verbs appear once as the infinitive (говорить, not говорю/говоришь), nouns in the nominative singular, adjectives in the masculine singular (большой, новый). Russian verbs come in aspect pairs, and the list gives the more frequent member with the aspect noted in the translation (делать/сделать). The high-frequency pronouns and particles (я/меня/мне, и, не, что, же, бы) are listed per form, because that is how learners meet them.

What are the accent marks over the vowels?

Those are stress marks (the small acute over a vowel, as in приве́т and челове́к) showing which syllable is stressed. Russian stress is unpredictable and can change a word's meaning — за́мок (castle) vs замо́к (lock) — so the list marks it to help you learn each word correctly. In normal written Russian these marks are not written: books, signs and messages use plain, unmarked spelling, and native speakers simply know the stress. So read the mark as a pronunciation hint, not part of the spelling. The audio speaks each word with its natural stress, so listen and read the mark together.

Why do the nouns have (m.), (f.) or (n.) after them, and where are the articles?

Russian has no articles at all — no words for "the" or "a" — so a noun is shown on its own, with no le/la/der/die in front. Instead every noun has a grammatical gender, marked with a small badge: (m.) masculine, (f.) feminine or (n.) neuter — стол (m.), кни́га (f.), окно́ (n.). Gender decides how adjectives and past-tense verbs agree with the noun, so it is worth learning together with the word. Note that gender is not always obvious from the ending: soft-sign nouns can be either (день is masculine, дверь is feminine), so the badge is there for exactly those cases.

The words are in a different alphabet — is that Cyrillic?

Yes. Russian is written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which has 33 letters — some look like Latin letters and sound the same (а, к, о, т), some look familiar but sound different (в is "v", н is "n", р is "r", с is "s"), and some are entirely new (ж, ц, ч, ш, щ, ю, я). Learning to read Cyrillic is the fastest first win in Russian: it is fully phonetic, so once you know the letters you can sound out almost any word. Play the audio as you read each entry to connect the letters to their sounds.

How should I study this list?

Don't memorize it top to bottom in one go. Work in slices (the Top 250 view is a good first target), listen to every word as you review it, and meet the same words in context as fast as possible — graded stories and podcasts at your level are where frequency vocabulary actually sticks. Spaced-repetition flashcards work well for the concrete nouns and verbs in the tail.

Don't just read the list — learn it

Lenguia turns vocabulary like this into a daily Russian plan: graded stories and podcasts built from high-frequency words, spaced-repetition flashcards, grammar, writing and speaking practice — all at exactly your level.

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How many of these words do you already know?

Take the free Russian placement test — grammar, reading, vocabulary, listening, writing and speaking, graded A1 to C1 — and find out exactly where to start in this list.

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