Want to speak Russian while in Russia? Unless you have taken a couple of years in college, forget it. It is a hard language and the alphabet is completely different from anything you know. Chances are you won't speak well enough to pass for a local and save on cab fares. Most of the Russians speak enough English to help you out. Hotel and restaurant staff almost always does.
Here are some useful words and phrases:
hello = PREE-VYET
goodbye = DO-SVI-DAN-YA
please =PO-ZHA-LU-EES-TA
thank you = SPAH-SEE-BAH
it is nice to meet you = PRI-YAT-NA PO-ZNA-KO-MITSA
take me to my hotel = OT-VYE-ZI-TYE MEN-YA V GOS-TI-NIT-SU
where is the bathroom = GDEH TU-AH-LET
how much does this cost = SKOL-KO EH-TO STO-IT
help = PO-MO-GI-TE
doctor = DOK-TOR
police = MI-LI-TSI-YA
pharmacy = AP-TE-KA
taxi = TAXI
train = PO-EZD
subway = PI-RI-KHOD
bus = AF-TO-BUS
street = U-LIT-SA
left = LE-VO
right = PRA-VO
middle = SRED-NA-YA
under = VNI-ZU
