How to Speak Russian Naturally: Phrasal Verbs and Conversational Phrases – A Deep Dive into Informal Expressions Not Found in Textbooks

Speaking Russian fluently goes far beyond just mastering basic grammar and vocabulary. To truly sound like a native speaker, you need to understand how informal speech works. Russian, like any language, has a wealth of colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, and conversational constructions that textbooks often overlook. These expressions are essential for achieving a natural-sounding, everyday Russian.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common conversational phrases and phrasal verbs that are regularly used by native Russian speakers. We will provide examples, compare them to formal equivalents, and explain when and how to use them. By the end, you’ll be able to speak with more confidence and sound much more like a native speaker.

1. Phrasal Verbs in Russian: What You Need to Know

Phrasal verbs are a crucial part of informal speech in Russian. Just like in English, phrasal verbs in Russian involve a verb combined with a preposition or another verb that changes its meaning. These combinations are often informal and can be confusing for learners, but once mastered, they can make your speech flow more naturally.

Here are a few examples of Russian phrasal verbs:

Formal Russian	Informal Russian (Phrasal Verb)	Meaning	Example
позвонить (to call)	звонить по (to call up)	To call someone	Я позвоню тебе. (I will call you.)
делать (to do)	переделать (to redo)	To redo something	Я переделаю это завтра. (I will redo it tomorrow.)
погулять (to walk)	погулять по (to take a stroll)	To take a walk, stroll	Мы погуляем по парку. (We’ll take a walk in the park.)

2. Conversational Phrases: More Than Just Words

Russian conversational phrases are another important aspect of informal language. These expressions often don’t translate well to English and are sometimes absent in textbooks, which is why they’re essential for sounding natural.

Formal Russian	Informal Russian (Conversational Phrase)	Meaning	Example
Спасибо за помощь (Thank you for the help)	Спасибо за поддержку (Thanks for the support)	To thank someone for help or emotional support	Он мне помог. Спасибо за поддержку. (He helped me. Thanks for the support.)
Как ваши дела? (How are you?)	Как ты? (How’s it going?)	Informal version of asking how someone is doing	Привет! Как ты? (Hey! How’s it going?)
Я не знаю (I don’t know)	Без понятия (No clue)	A more casual way to say you don’t know	Где он? Без понятия. (Where is he? No clue.)

3. Use of Slang and Informal Expressions

While learning formal Russian is essential, informal expressions and slang are what make the language truly dynamic. Native speakers use these expressions all the time in casual conversations. Here are a few examples:

Formal Russian	Informal Russian (Slang)	Meaning	Example
Очень хорошо (Very good)	Круто (Cool)	Something is cool or impressive	Это было круто! (That was cool!)
Ты серьезно? (Are you serious?)	Ты что, издеваешься? (Are you kidding me?)	To express disbelief or surprise	Ты что, издеваешься? (Are you kidding me?)
Ничего страшного (It’s not a big deal)	Норм (It’s fine)	To indicate that something is fine or acceptable	Всё норм. (It’s all fine.)

4. When to Use These Phrases

In casual settings: Informal phrases and phrasal verbs are great for use with friends, family, or people of the same age.
In professional settings: Avoid slang and phrasal verbs in business or academic conversations. Stick to formal language unless you’re in a relaxed meeting environment with colleagues you’re close to.

Conclusion

Mastering conversational Russian involves more than just memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary. Phrasal verbs, slang, and informal expressions give your language a natural flow and make your speech sound more like that of a native speaker. While these expressions aren’t typically found in textbooks, they are crucial for effective communication in real-life situations.

Start incorporating these phrases into your daily conversations, and you’ll quickly notice how much more natural your Russian becomes!