20 phrases for everyday work situations
Each board is a workplace situation. Read the note first: it tells you what you need to do. Then flip it to reveal the Russian phrase. Save only the phrases you want to use.
Start a conversation
You need to interrupt politely, clarify a detail or make sure you understood correctly.
A neutral, natural way to ask for a quick conversation.
Click to reveal the RussianDo you have a minute?
Useful when you need one detail explained or confirmed.
Click to reveal the RussianCan I clarify something?
A polite way to check your understanding before acting.
Click to reveal the RussianAm I right in understanding that…?
Neutral and polite in meetings or one-to-one conversations.
Click to reveal the RussianCould you repeat that, please?
Useful when you need to say that you did not fully understand.
Click to reveal the RussianI didn’t quite understand.
Meetings & decisions
You need to return to the topic, ask for an opinion, suggest an alternative or confirm a decision.
A neutral way to move a discussion to another time.
Click to reveal the RussianLet’s discuss this tomorrow.
Useful when a discussion has moved away from the main point.
Click to reveal the RussianLet’s come back to this question.
A natural way to invite someone’s opinion.
Click to reveal the RussianWhat do you think about this?
A softer way to disagree and offer an alternative.
Click to reveal the RussianI would suggest another option.
A common way to confirm the decision at the end of a discussion.
Click to reveal the RussianThen it’s agreed.
Requests & deadlines
You need a file, a date, a status update or a realistic new deadline.
A polite everyday request to a colleague.
Click to reveal the RussianCould you send the file, please?
Direct but neutral when you need a completion date.
Click to reveal the RussianWhen will this be ready?
Natural when checking whether a deadline is still realistic.
Click to reveal the RussianAre we on track for Friday?
Clear and direct when the deadline matters.
Click to reveal the RussianI need this by the end of the day.
Useful when renegotiating a deadline instead of simply saying it is impossible.
Click to reveal the RussianIf we can’t make it, let’s move the deadline.
Agreement & follow-up
You need to respond to a proposal, promise a next step or finish the conversation naturally.
A neutral way to agree with a colleague.
Click to reveal the RussianI agree.
A softer alternative to a direct disagreement.
Click to reveal the RussianI don’t completely agree.
Useful when you need time before giving a final answer.
Click to reveal the RussianLet me check and get back to you.
A clear follow-up commitment after a meeting.
Click to reveal the RussianI’ll send everything after the meeting.
A natural way to end an informal conversation with a colleague.
Click to reveal the RussianThanks, speak soon / stay in touch.
Build your own work phrase list
Add only the phrases that match your job and communication style, then copy the list for Quizlet.
Natural Russian vs too direct
A phrase can be grammatically correct and still sound abrupt in a professional conversation. Often, one small change makes the tone much more natural.
Send the file.
I disagree.
When will it finally be ready?
Could you send the file, please?
I don’t completely agree.
Could you please tell me when this will be ready?
Professional does not always mean formal. In everyday workplace Russian, a short neutral question often sounds more natural than a long formal sentence.
Choose the best phrase
Read the situation and choose the phrase that sounds most natural in context.
Situation 1 of 6
Choose one answer, then check the explanation.
Business Russian lessons can focus on your meetings, colleagues, presentations, messages, clients and the situations you deal with at work.