#9 How to Start Learning Russian

Many people become interested in Russian and decide that they would like to begin studying it. However, when you encounter Russian for the first time, its unfamiliar alphabet and seemingly complex grammar may leave you wondering where to begin.

In reality, you do not need to understand everything from the start. By learning the basic elements one step at a time, you will gradually begin to see how the Russian language works.

In this article, I will explain what beginners should learn first and how you can study Russian more effectively.

Start by Becoming Familiar with the Cyrillic Alphabet

The first step in learning Russian is to become familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet.

Russian is written not with the Latin alphabet used in English, but with a writing system known as Cyrillic.

It may look difficult at first, but the Russian Cyrillic alphabet contains only 33 letters. Most letters have a basic pronunciation, and once you have learned them, you will be able to read unfamiliar words to some extent. For this reason, learning Cyrillic is an essential foundation for studying Russian.

For example, some Cyrillic letters resemble Latin letters and represent almost the same sounds.

• А ー Latin A
• М ー Latin M
• К ー Latin K
• Т ー Latin T

On the other hand, some letters look identical to English letters but represent different sounds.

• В ー Latin V
• Н ー Latin N
• Р ー Latin R

At the beginning, it is therefore important not to be misled by appearance. Try to learn the shape and sound of each letter together.

You should also avoid learning Cyrillic only through memorization. Instead, become familiar with it by reading real words. If you spend a little time with Cyrillic every day, you will gradually become able to read it more naturally.

Learn the Basics of Russian Pronunciation

Once you can read the Cyrillic alphabet, the next step is to learn the basics of pronunciation.

Compared with English, Russian has a relatively clear relationship between spelling and pronunciation. Once you understand the basic rules, you will often be able to pronounce unfamiliar words with reasonable accuracy.

However, there are several important points to keep in mind.

• The pronunciation of vowels changes depending on stress.
• Russian distinguishes between hard and soft consonants.
• Many words contain several consonants in succession.
• Voiced consonants at the end of a word may be pronounced as voiceless consonants.

Stress is especially important from the early stages of learning Russian. In Russian, the position of stress can change the pronunciation of vowels and, in some cases, may even distinguish one word from another.

For this reason, when you learn a new word, I recommend checking and memorizing its stress position at the same time.

Begin with Basic Greetings and Everyday Expressions

Once you can read Cyrillic to some extent, you can begin learning common greetings and everyday expressions.

The following expressions are among the most frequently used basic greetings in Russian.

• Здравствуйте ー Hello
• Привет ー Hi
• Спасибо ー Thank you
• Пожалуйста ー You’re welcome / Please
• До свидания ー Goodbye

These greetings are useful not only because they appear frequently in real conversations but also because they help you practise Russian pronunciation and stress.

Since they are short and relatively easy to remember, they can also give you an early sense of achievement by allowing you to speak some Russian from the beginning.

Russian expressions also vary depending on your relationship with the other person.

For example, Здравствуйте is a polite greeting used with people you do not know, older people, and in formal situations. In contrast, Привет is an informal greeting used with close friends, family members, and other people with whom you have a familiar relationship.

Understanding these differences from an early stage will help you communicate more naturally.

Learn the Most Frequently Used Words First

When learning Russian vocabulary, it is more effective to begin with common words that appear repeatedly in simple conversations and texts rather than trying to memorize large numbers of difficult words.

At the beginner level, I recommend focusing on vocabulary from areas such as:

• People and family
• Food and drink
• Numbers, days of the week, and time
• Home, school, and work
• Adjectives describing colour, size, and condition
• Common verbs used in everyday life

Basic verbs such as “to do,” “to go,” “to come,” “to see,” “to speak,” “to read,” and “to eat” are especially important. Once you know common verbs, you can begin forming simple sentences about your actions and plans.

• делать ー to do / to make
• идти ー to go on foot in one direction
• смотреть ー to look / to watch
• говорить ー to speak
• читать ー to read
• есть ー to eat
• пить ー to drink

However, you should not memorize vocabulary only by looking at its English meaning. Whenever possible, learn each word together with a short example sentence.

For example, when learning the verb читать, it is better to remember it as part of a complete sentence.

• Я читаю книгу.
  ー I am reading a book

Learning vocabulary in this way allows you to understand not only the meaning of the word but also the form it takes within a sentence.

Russian verbs change their endings according to the person and number of the subject. It is therefore important to study both the infinitive and the forms that are actually used in sentences.

Study a Little Every Day

One of the most important aspects of learning Russian is studying consistently, even if you can only study for a short time each day.

Russian has many unfamiliar elements, including the Cyrillic alphabet, case endings, and verb conjugations. If you try to learn too much at once, you may find it difficult to absorb the material, and studying can begin to feel overwhelming.

In contrast, when you develop the habit of engaging with Russian every day, even briefly, your knowledge will gradually accumulate and your understanding will deepen naturally.

For example, the following small activities can lead to significant progress when practised consistently.

• Practise reading five Cyrillic letters.
• Learn ten new words.
• Read five short example sentences aloud.
• Listen to Russian audio for five to ten minutes.

To maintain your study routine, it is also helpful to adjust your activities according to your schedule.

For example, you might decide to study only vocabulary one day and practise reading aloud on another day. Even on busy days, avoiding a complete break from Russian makes it easier to maintain your learning habit.

At the beginning, I also recommend paying attention to small signs of progress, such as being able to read one more word than the day before or remembering a new expression. Recognizing these small achievements will help you remain motivated.

Take an Interest in the Historical and Cultural Background of Russian

Russian is not simply a tool for communication. It is connected to a rich cultural tradition that developed over a long history.

This background includes areas such as:

• Russian history
• The Eastern Orthodox Church
• Slavic culture
• Literature
• Music
• Folklore

Learning about this background can help you understand not only the meanings of words and expressions but also why certain phrases developed and why particular words continue to be used today.

For example, learning about the history of the Cyrillic alphabet and Church Slavonic can help you understand how modern Russian developed.

Similarly, learning about the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian history can deepen your understanding of religious terminology, idiomatic expressions, and literary works.

Language is closely connected to the history and culture of the regions in which it has been used. By exploring the historical and cultural background of Russian, you can make discoveries that cannot be gained through vocabulary and grammar alone. This will also make the learning process more enjoyable.

Summary

When you begin learning Russian, it is more important to build a solid foundation step by step than to start by memorizing difficult grammar rules.

The main points can be summarized as follows:

Russian is not an easy language. However, if you continue studying a little each day, you will gradually become able to read Cyrillic letters that once seemed unfamiliar and understand simple sentences.

Studying patiently at your own pace is one of the most effective ways to make steady progress.

Izumi Miyajima

Writer

I’m a writer, language enthusiast, history lover, and lifelong learner fascinated by Russia. Here, I explore the Russian language, history, and culture through clear and engaging articles.