How To Say Thank You In Russian: Different Ways To Say It

In Russian, you can say ‘thank you’ using the word Спасибо. This is actually short for Спаси Бог, which means ‘God save you’. It’s important to know that there are many alternatives to this standard and very common expression. Appropriate use of these expressions depends on context and familiarity with the person you’re speaking to.

Спасибо

English meaning: God save you

Explanation: This is the standard, textbook, can’t-go-wrong way to say ‘thank you’ or ‘thanks’ in Russian. Neither the context nor the relationship of the speaker and hearer matter when using this word, much like its English equivalent.

Same as/similar to: thanks

How to say it: spaseeba

Спасибо Большое / Большое спасибо

English meaning: big thank you

Explanation: This is a slightly more emphatic and appreciative way to say the standard ‘thank you’ in Russian. Adjective can be placed either before or after спасибо.

Same as/similar to: thanks a lot

How to say it: balshoye spaseeba

Спасибо огромное / Огромное спасибо

English meaning: huge thank you

Explanation: Similar to the previous expression, this one is even more emphatic (hence the difference between ‘big’ and ‘huge’). Use this one in contexts where you’re extremely thankful for something. Once again, the adjective can be placed either before or after спасибо.

How to say it: agromnaye spaseeba

Same as/similar to: thanks heaps

Спасибочки / спасибки

English meaning: little thanks

Explanation: This is a much more casual and familiar way to thank someone - think of it as a ‘cute’ version of thank you. The -очки and -ки endings are what’s called diminutives, which is a way of making something sound small or cute.

How to say it: spaseebachki

Same as/similar to: cheers

Благодарю

English meaning: I offer you blessings

Explanation: A more traditional/old school way to thank people, commonly used by older generations of Russians.

How to say it: blagadaryu

Same as/similar to: bless you

Благодарствую

English meaning: I offer you blessings

Explanation: Very similar to the previous expression but far less common and a more dated expression.

How to say it: blagadarstvuyu

Same as/similar to: bless you

Это очень мило

English meaning: this is very nice

Explanation: Literally describes the thing being done or received as ‘very nice’. It’s just another friendly way to thank people in Russian.

How to say it: eta ochen mila

Same as/similar to: that’s very thoughtful

Вы очень добры

English meaning: you’re very kind

Explanation: The word добры literally means ‘kind’ or ‘good’, so this expression is a way of describing the good character of its recipient. Perfectly acceptable to use this with someone you don’t know who has done something for you (hence the formal Вы).

How to say it: vy ochen dabri

Same as/similar to: you’re very thoughtful

Благодарю от всей души / всего сердца

English meaning: I thank you with my whole soul / whole heart

Explanation: This is a good way of expressing deep appreciation. Very similar in effect to ‘from the bottom of my heart’ in English.

How to say it: blagadaryu at v’syey dushi

Same as/similar to: thank you from the bottom of my heart

Я очень благодарен

English meaning: I’m very thankful

Explanation: Used exactly the same way as it is in English, it’s another way to express your gratitude.

How to say it: ya ochen blagodaryen

Same as/similar to: I’m very thankful

Я ценю вашу помощь

English meaning: I appreciate your help

Explanation: Another alternative to the previous expression, this time describing how personally appreciative you are for help.

How to say it: ya tsenyu vashu pomash

Same as/similar to: I appreciate your help

Я вам очень признателен

English meaning: I am very grateful to you

Explanation: This is another way to describe how grateful or appreciative you are. Note the addition of вам, which implies being grateful to the recipient, rather than just grateful.

How to say it: ya vam ochen priznatilen

Same as/similar to: I’m very grateful

Спс

English meaning: thx

Explanation: You’ll often see this used on the Internet, on social media, chatrooms, messenger services and so on. It’s a shortened version of спасибо.

How to say it: spaseeba

Same as/similar to: thx

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