When learning Russian, knowing how to say “you’re welcome” is crucial for polite interactions. In Russian, the phrase for “you’re welcome” is “Пожалуйста” (pronounced: pah-ZHA-loo-sta). This versatile term can be used in various contexts, whether you’re responding to a thank you or offering something to someone.
Understanding “Пожалуйста”
“Пожалуйста” is a multifunctional word in Russian. While it primarily means “you’re welcome,” it also translates to “please” when making requests or offering something. This dual usage might seem confusing initially, but context usually clarifies the intended meaning.
Usage in Different Contexts
- Responding to Thanks:
- Person A: “Спасибо за помощь!” (Spasibo za pomoshch!) – “Thank you for the help!”
- Person B: “Пожалуйста!” (Pah-ZHA-loo-sta) – “You’re welcome!”
- Offering Something:
- Person A: “Можно мне воды?” (Mozhno mne vody?) – “Can I have some water?”
- Person B: “Пожалуйста.” (Pah-ZHA-loo-sta) – “Here you go.”
- Making Requests:
- Person A: “Можете мне помочь?” (Mozhete mne pomoch’?) – “Can you help me?”
- Person B: “Пожалуйста, конечно.” (Pah-ZHA-loo-sta, kan-YESH-na) – “Please, of course.”
Common Phrases Related to “Пожалуйста”
In addition to “Пожалуйста,” here are a few other ways to express politeness in Russian:
- “Не за что” (Ne za chto) – Literally translates to “Not at all,” another way to say “You’re welcome.”
- “Всегда рад помочь” (Vsegda rad pomoch’) – Translates to “Always glad to help,” which adds a warm touch to your response.
Small Conversations
Here’s how you might use “Пожалуйста” in typical conversations:
- Person A: “Спасибо за приглашение на вечеринку!” (Spasibo za priglashenie na vecherinku!) – “Thank you for the invitation to the party!”
- Person B: “Пожалуйста, приходите еще.” (Pah-ZHA-loo-sta, pri-ho-DEE-tye esh-CHO) – “You’re welcome, come again.”
- Person A: “Спасибо за помощь с документами.” (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s dokumentami.) – “Thank you for the help with the documents.”
- Person B: “Пожалуйста, всегда рад помочь.” (Pah-ZHA-loo-sta, vsyeg-DA rad pomoch’) – “You’re welcome, always glad to help.”
Different Ways to Say “You’re Welcome”
Casual Conversations
Пожалуйста (Pozhaluysta)
Translation: “Please” / “You’re welcome”
Pronunciation: [pah-zhah-loo-sta]
Usage: The most common and versatile way to say “You’re welcome” in almost any situation.
Examples:
- Спасибо за книгу! (Spasibo za knigu!)
Translation: Thank you for the book!
Response: Пожалуйста! (Pozhaluysta!)
Translation: You’re welcome!
Не за что (Ne za chto)
Translation: “No problem” / “Don’t mention it”
Pronunciation: [nye za chto]
Usage: A casual way to respond to thanks, often used among friends and acquaintances.
Examples:
- Спасибо, что помог! (Spasibo, chto pomog!)
Translation: Thank you for helping!
Response: Не за что! (Ne za chto!)
Translation: Don’t mention it!
Всё в порядке (Vsyo v poryadke)
Translation: “It’s all good”
Pronunciation: [vsyo v po-ryad-ke]
Usage: Used when you want to assure someone that everything is okay and there’s no need to thank you.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Всё в порядке! (Vsyo v poryadke!)
Translation: It’s all good!
2. Formal Situations
Не стоит благодарности (Ne stoit blagodarnosti)
Translation: “It’s not worth your thanks”
Pronunciation: [nye stoh-it blah-go-dar-no-stee]
Usage: A formal way to say “You’re welcome” in business or official contexts.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с документами. (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s dokumentami.)
Translation: Thank you for your help with the documents.
Response: Не стоит благодарности. (Ne stoit blagodarnosti.)
Translation: It’s not worth your thanks.
Рад был помочь (Rad byl pomoch’)
Translation: “I was glad to help”
Pronunciation: [rah-d byl pah-mohch’]
Usage: A polite and slightly formal way to express that you were happy to assist.
Examples:
- Спасибо за совет! (Spasibo za sovet!)
Translation: Thank you for the advice!
Response: Рад был помочь! (Rad byl pomoch’!)
Translation: I was glad to help!
Всегда к вашим услугам (Vsegda k vashim uslugam)
Translation: “Always at your service”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da k vah-sheem oo-sloo-gahm]
Usage: A formal and professional way to express willingness to help again in the future.
Examples:
- Спасибо за оперативность! (Spasibo za operativnost’!)
Translation: Thank you for your promptness!
Response: Всегда к вашим услугам. (Vsegda k vashim uslugam.)
Translation: Always at your service.
Не стоит благодарности (Ne stoit blagodarnosti)
Translation: “It’s not worth your thanks”
Pronunciation: [nye stoh-it blah-go-dar-no-stee]
Usage: A formal way to say “You’re welcome” in business or official contexts.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с документами. (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s dokumentami.)
Translation: Thank you for your help with the documents.
Response: Не стоит благодарности. (Ne stoit blagodarnosti.)
Translation: It’s not worth your thanks.
3. Expressing Enjoyment in Helping
С удовольствием (S udovol’stviyem)
Translation: “With pleasure”
Pronunciation: [s oo-doh-vol-stvee-yem]
Usage: Used to express that you gladly provided the help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с переездом! (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s pereezdom!)
Translation: Thank you for helping with the move!
Response: С удовольствием! (S udovol’stviyem!)
Translation: With pleasure!
Рад был помочь (Rad byl pomoch’)
Translation: “I was glad to help”
Pronunciation: [rah-d byl pah-mohch’]
Usage: Used to convey that you were genuinely happy to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо, что выслушал! (Spasibo, chto vyslushal!)
Translation: Thank you for listening!
Response: Рад был помочь! (Rad byl pomoch’!)
Translation: I was glad to help!
Никаких проблем (Nikakikh problem)
Translation: “No problem”
Pronunciation: [nee-kah-keekh pro-blem]
Usage: Casual and friendly, often used to downplay the significance of the favor.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Никаких проблем! (Nikakikh problem!)
Translation: No problem!
4. When Encouraging Future Requests
Обращайтесь (Obrashchaytes’)
Translation: “Feel free to ask again”
Pronunciation: [ahb-rah-shchah-ytis’]
Usage: A polite way to let someone know they can come back for help anytime.
Examples:
- Спасибо за консультацию! (Spasibo za konsultatsiyu!)
Translation: Thank you for the consultation!
Response: Обращайтесь! (Obrashchaytes’!)
Translation: Feel free to ask again!
Всегда рад помочь (Vsegda rad pomoch’)
Translation: “Always happy to help”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da rahd pah-mohch’]
Usage: Used to encourage someone to ask for help whenever they need it.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с проектом! (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s proyektom!)
Translation: Thank you for helping with the project!
Response: Всегда рад помочь! (Vsegda rad pomoch’!)
Translation: Always happy to help!
Не стесняйтесь обращаться (Ne stesnyaytes’ obrashchatsya)
Translation: “Don’t hesitate to reach out”
Pronunciation: [nye stes-nya-ytes’ ob-rah-shcha-tsya]
Usage: A courteous way to let someone know that they shouldn’t feel shy about asking for assistance.
Examples:
- Спасибо за совет! (Spasibo za sovet!)
Translation: Thank you for the advice!
Response: Не стесняйтесь обращаться! (Ne stesnyaytes’ obrashchatsya!)
Translation: Don’t hesitate to reach out!
5. Reassuring the Other Person
Всё нормально (Vsyo normal’no)
Translation: “It’s all normal”
Pronunciation: [vsyo nor-mal-no]
Usage: Used to reassure someone that everything is fine and they don’t need to worry about thanking you.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Всё нормально! (Vsyo normal’no!)
Translation: It’s all normal!
Это было несложно (Eto bylo neslozhno)
Translation: “It wasn’t difficult”
Pronunciation: [eh-to by-lo ne-slozh-no]
Usage: Used to let the person know that helping them was easy, so they shouldn’t feel indebted.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с задачей! (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s zadachey!)
Translation: Thank you for helping with the task!
Response: Это было несложно! (Eto bylo neslozhno!)
Translation: It wasn’t difficult!
Рад помочь (Rad pomoch’)
Translation: “Happy to help”
Pronunciation: [rah-d pah-mohch’]
Usage: A short and simple way to let someone know you were happy to assist.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Рад помочь! (Rad pomoch’!)
Translation: Happy to help!
6. Humble Responses
Мелочи (Melochi)
Translation: “Trifles”
Pronunciation: [meh-loh-chee]
Usage: Used to downplay the significance of your help, as if it was just a small thing.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Мелочи! (Melochi!)
Translation: Trifles!
Пустяки (Pustyaki)
Translation: “Trifles” / “Nothing”
Pronunciation: [poos-tya-kee]
Usage: A casual way to say that what you did was insignificant.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с переездом! (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s pereezdom!)
Translation: Thank you for helping with the move!
Response: Пустяки! (Pustyaki!)
Translation: Nothing!
Ничего страшного (Nichego strashnogo)
Translation: “It’s nothing”
Pronunciation: [nee-cheh-voh strah-shno-voh]
Usage: Used to reassure someone that their thanks are unnecessary because it was no trouble.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь с переездом! (Spasibo za pomoshch’ s pereezdom!)
Translation: Thank you for helping with the move!
Response: Ничего страшного! (Nichego strashnogo!)
Translation: It’s nothing!
7. Warm and Friendly
Рад был помочь (Rad byl pomoch’)
Translation: “I was glad to help”
Pronunciation: [rah-d byl pah-mohch’]
Usage: A warm and friendly way to express that you were happy to assist.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Рад был помочь! (Rad byl pomoch’!)
Translation: I was glad to help!
Мне приятно было помочь (Mne priyatno bylo pomoch’)
Translation: “It was a pleasure to help”
Pronunciation: [mneh pree-yat-no by-lo pah-mohch’]
Usage: A warm and personal way to say that you were pleased to provide help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Мне приятно было помочь! (Mne priyatno bylo pomoch’!)
Translation: It was a pleasure to help!
Для меня это честь (Dlya menya eto chest’)
Translation: “It’s an honor for me”
Pronunciation: [dlya men-ya eh-to chest’]
Usage: A very warm and heartfelt way to express that you were honored to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Для меня это честь! (Dlya menya eto chest’!)
Translation: It’s an honor for me!
8. Other Creative Responses
Без проблем (Bez problem)
Translation: “No problem”
Pronunciation: [behz proh-blem]
Usage: Casual, often used when you want to indicate that the favor was easy.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Без проблем! (Bez problem!)
Translation: No problem!
Легко (Legko)
Translation: “Easy”
Pronunciation: [lyeh-koh]
Usage: Used to indicate that what you did was easy and not worth mentioning.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Легко! (Legko!)
Translation: Easy!
Всегда пожалуйста (Vsegda pozhaluysta)
Translation: “Always, you’re welcome”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da pah-zhah-loo-sta]
Usage: Used to emphasize that you’re always willing to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Всегда пожалуйста! (Vsegda pozhaluysta!)
Translation: Always, you’re welcome!
Я рад помочь (Ya rad pomoch’)
Translation: “I’m glad to help”
Pronunciation: [ya rahd pah-mohch’]
Usage: A warm and friendly way to say “You’re welcome.”
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Я рад помочь! (Ya rad pomoch’!)
Translation: I’m glad to help!
9. Enthusiastic Responses
Всегда рад (Vsegda rad)
Translation: “Always glad”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da rahd]
Usage: An enthusiastic response indicating that you are always happy to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Всегда рад! (Vsegda rad!)
Translation: Always glad!
Конечно (Konechno)
Translation: “Of course”
Pronunciation: [kah-nehch-noh]
Usage: A confident and enthusiastic way to show that helping was a given.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Конечно! (Konechno!)
Translation: Of course!
Без вопросов (Bez voprosov)
Translation: “No questions asked”
Pronunciation: [behz vah-proh-sov]
Usage: Indicates that you helped willingly, without any hesitation.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Без вопросов! (Bez voprosov!)
Translation: No questions asked!
10. Casual and Relaxed
Не за что (Ne za chto)
Translation: “Not at all”
Pronunciation: [nyeh zah shtoh]
Usage: A very casual and relaxed way to say “You’re welcome.”
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Не за что! (Ne za chto!)
Translation: Not at all!
Не проблема (Ne problema)
Translation: “No problem”
Pronunciation: [nyeh proh-bleh-mah]
Usage: A laid-back response similar to “It’s no big deal.”
Examples:
- Спасибо за совет! (Spasibo za sovet!)
Translation: Thank you for the advice!
Response: Не проблема! (Ne problema!)
Translation: No problem!
Все в порядке (Vse v poryadke)
Translation: “All is fine”
Pronunciation: [vseh v poh-ryad-keh]
Usage: A reassuring and relaxed response.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Все в порядке! (Vse v poryadke!)
Translation: All is fine!
11. Respectful and Formal
Не стоит благодарности (Ne stoit blagodarnosti)
Translation: “No need for thanks”
Pronunciation: [neh stoh-eet blah-goh-dahr-nos-tee]
Usage: A formal way to downplay the need for thanks, showing humility.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Не стоит благодарности! (Ne stoit blagodarnosti!)
Translation: No need for thanks!
Рад служить (Rad sluzhit’)
Translation: “Glad to serve”
Pronunciation: [rah-d sloo-zheet’]
Usage: A respectful and formal way to express your willingness to assist.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Рад служить! (Rad sluzhit’!)
Translation: Glad to serve!
С радостью (S radostyu)
Translation: “With pleasure”
Pronunciation: [s rah-doh-st’yu]
Usage: A formal and polite way to say that you were pleased to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: С радостью! (S radostyu!)
Translation: With pleasure!
12. Playful and Light-hearted
Да не за что! (Da ne za chto!)
Translation: “Ah, don’t mention it!”
Pronunciation: [dah neh zah shtoh]
Usage: A playful way to brush off the thanks.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Да не за что! (Da ne za chto!)
Translation: Ah, don’t mention it!
Чепуха (Chepukha)
Translation: “Nonsense”
Pronunciation: [che-poo-khah]
Usage: A playful way to indicate that the favor was trivial.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Чепуха! (Chepukha!)
Translation: Nonsense!
Пустяковое дело (Pustyakovoye delo)
Translation: “A trivial matter”
Pronunciation: [poos-tya-koh-vo-ye dye-lo]
Usage: A light-hearted way to downplay your help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Пустяковое дело! (Pustyakovoye delo!)
Translation: A trivial matter!
13. Encouraging Future Requests
Всегда готов помочь (Vsegda gotov pomoch’)
Translation: “Always ready to help”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da goh-tohv pah-mohch’]
Usage: A warm response that lets the person know you’re always available.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Всегда готов помочь! (Vsegda gotov pomoch’!)
Translation: Always ready to help!
Обращайтесь в любое время (Obrashchaytes’ v lyuboye vremya)
Translation: “Feel free to reach out anytime”
Pronunciation: [ahb-rah-shchay-tes’ v lyu-bo-yeh vreh-myah]
Usage: A way to let someone know you’re open to helping again in the future.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Обращайтесь в любое время! (Obrashchaytes’ v lyuboye vremya!)
Translation: Feel free to reach out anytime!
Звоните, если что (Zvonite, yesli chto)
Translation: “Call if you need anything”
Pronunciation: [zvoh-neet-eh, yes-lee shtoh]
Usage: A friendly way to offer future assistance.
Examples:
- Спасибо за совет! (Spasibo za sovet!)
Translation: Thank you for the advice!
Response: Звоните, если что! (Zvonite, yesli chto!)
Translation: Call if you need anything!
14. Supportive and Reassuring
Всегда рад помочь (Vsegda rad pomoch’)
Translation: “Always happy to help”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da rahd pah-mohch’]
Usage: A supportive response showing ongoing willingness to assist.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Всегда рад помочь! (Vsegda rad pomoch’!)
Translation: Always happy to help!
Всегда к вашим услугам (Vsegda k vashim uslugam)
Translation: “Always at your service”
Pronunciation: [vseeg-da k vah-shim oo-sloo-gahm]
Usage: A formal and courteous way to say you’re available to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за поддержку! (Spasibo za podderzhku!)
Translation: Thank you for your support!
Response: Всегда к вашим услугам! (Vsegda k vashim uslugam!)
Translation: Always at your service!
Не за что, рад был помочь (Ne za chto, rad byl pomoch’)
Translation: “Not at all, glad to have helped”
Pronunciation: [nyeh zah shtoh, rahd byl pah-mohch’]
Usage: A polite and slightly formal response indicating that you were happy to assist.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Не за что, рад был помочь! (Ne za chto, rad byl pomoch’!)
Translation: Not at all, glad to have helped!
15. Appreciative Responses
Вам спасибо! (Vam spasibo!)
Translation: “Thank you to you!”
Pronunciation: [vahm spah-see-buh]
Usage: A way to show that you appreciate the thanks and are happy to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Вам спасибо! (Vam spasibo!)
Translation: Thank you to you!
Рад был помочь вам (Rad byl pomoch’ vam)
Translation: “Glad to have helped you”
Pronunciation: [rahd byl pah-mohch’ vuhm]
Usage: A formal way to express that you were pleased to be of assistance.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Рад был помочь вам! (Rad byl pomoch’ vam!)
Translation: Glad to have helped you!
16. Humble and Modest
Эту мелочь! (Etu meloch’)
Translation: “This small thing!”
Pronunciation: [eh-too myeh-loch’]
Usage: Downplays the significance of the help provided.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: Эту мелочь! (Etu meloch’!)
Translation: This small thing!
Меньше чем пустяк (Menshe chem pustyak)
Translation: “Less than a trifle”
Pronunciation: [myen-she chyehm poos-tyak]
Usage: Indicates that the help provided was of little importance.
Examples:
- Спасибо за совет! (Spasibo za sovet!)
Translation: Thank you for the advice!
Response: Меньше чем пустяк! (Menshe chem pustyak!)
Translation: Less than a trifle!
17. Casual and Friendly
В любое время! (V lyuboye vremya!)
Translation: “Anytime!”
Pronunciation: [v lyoo-bo-yeh vrye-myah]
Usage: A casual way to let someone know you’re always available.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: В любое время! (V lyuboye vremya!)
Translation: Anytime!
С удовольствием! (S udovol’stviyem!)
Translation: “With pleasure!”
Pronunciation: [s oo-doh-vohl-stvyehm]
Usage: A friendly and casual way to express that you were happy to help.
Examples:
- Спасибо за помощь! (Spasibo za pomoshch’!)
Translation: Thank you for your help!
Response: С удовольствием! (S udovol’stviyem!)
Translation: With pleasure!
Conclusion
Mastering “Пожалуйста” will enhance your ability to communicate politely in Russian. By understanding its dual usage, you can use this word effectively in various situations. Whether you’re responding to thanks or making a request, “Пожалуйста” is a key phrase to know.
With practice, you’ll find it becomes a natural part of your Russian vocabulary, helping you to navigate social interactions with ease.
