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Majority- and minority-speaking regions

Belarusian and Russian are the two official languages of Belarus, but Russian is more widely spoken. Although Belarusian has been compulsory in all schools since independence, it is difficult to get by in Belarus without some knowledge of Russian. In the cities, most people speak Russian as their first language and have limited proficiency in Belarusian, while you are more likely to meet a native Belarusian speaker in rural villages. Codeswitching between Russian and Belarusian, known as Trasianka, is common among the rural youth. Belarusian is most closely related to Ukrainian, and somewhat more distantly related to Russian. The Belarusian language also exhibits strong Polish influences that are not found in Russian due to Belarus' history as part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. All road signs and many street signs in Belarus are written in Belarusian.

Belarusians have used both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets throughout centuries. Belarusian Tatars also used the Arabic script for writing in Belarusian. Nowadays, the Cyrillic alphabet is the main writing system for the Belarusian language.

The Belarusian Latin alphabet has several variants. The one that has been adopted by the government and approved by the United Nations for transliteration of Belarusian geographical names is based on the variant that has been in use since the 1920s. This transliteration standard is used in maps published in Belarus, in Minsk metro and on the Belarusian Railway website. Transliteration of Belarusian geographical names from their Russian forms (e.g. Grodno instead of Hrodna) is still common and can be confusing for tourists.

Pronunciation guide

[edit]

Belarusian alphabet:

Аа Бб Вв Гг Дд Ее Ёё Жж Зз Іі Йй Кк Лл Мм Нн Оо Пп Рр Сс Тт Уу Ўў Фф Хх Цц Чч Шш Ыы Ьь Ээ Юю Яя

Below - the characters of the Belarusian Cyrillic alphabet and - in brackets - their transliteration in Latin characters according to the official standard.

Belarusian spelling is generally more phonetic than that of Russian. Unlike Russian, Belarusian does not have vowel reduction, so all vowels are pronounced the same regardless of stress.

Vowels

[edit]
Аа (Aa)
like the 'a' in 'alone'
Яя (Jaja; ia after consonants)
like "ya" in "yard" or the "ia" in "mia"
Ее (Jeje; ie after consonants)
like "ye" in "yet" or the "ie" in "miedo"
Ёё (Jojo; io after consonants)
like "yo" in "yonder" or the "io" in "frio"
Ээ (Ee)
like "e" in "met"
Йй (Jj)
like "y" in "play" or "boy". It's a semivowel, and it is always combined with a full vowel.
Іі (Ii)
like "ee" in "see"
Ыы (Yy)
like the 'y' in 'possibly'
Оо (Oo)
like "o" in "open"
Уу (Uu)
like "oo" in "boot"
Юю (Juju; iu after consonants)
like the word "you"

Consonants

[edit]
Бб (Bb)
like "b" in "bit"
Вв (Vv)
like "v" in "vine"
Гг (Hh)
same as "g" in Arabic, similar to the German "ch" sound but voiced.
Дд (Dd)
like "d" in "do"
Жж (Žž)
like "s" in "pleasure" or "measure"; always hard
Зз (Zz)
like "z" in "zoo"
Кк (Kk)
like "k" in "kitten"
Лл (Ll)
like "l" in "lady"
Мм (Mm)
like "m" in "my"
Нн (Nn)
like "n" in "not" or like the "ny" in "canyon"
Пп (Pp)
like "p" in "pot"
Рр (Rr)
trilled "r" (similar to a Spanish "r")
Сс (Ss)
like "s" in "sun"
Тт (Tt)
like "t" in "tip"
Ўў (Ǔǔ)
like final "w" in "window"
Фф (Ff)
like "f" in "face"
Хх (Chch)
like "ch" in Scottish "loch"
Цц (Cc)
like "ts" in "cats"
Чч (Čč)
like the 'ch' in "chest"
Шш (Šš)
like "sh" in "shut"
Ьь (No Latin equivalent)
soft sign

Consonant combinations

[edit]
ДЖдж (Dždž)
like "j" in "journey"
ДЗЬдзь (Dźdź)
approx. like "ds" in "raids"
ЗЬзь (Źź)
soft palatalized sound in between "z" and "zh".
ЛЬль (Ĺĺ)
soft "l" like "l" in "lemon"
НЬнь (Ńń)
like "n" in "near"
СЬсь (Śś)
soft palatalized sound in-between "s" and "sh".
ЦЬць (Ćć)
soft palatalized sound in-between "ts" and "ch".

Diphthongs

[edit]
ай
like 'eye'
яй
like saying 'ya' in "yard" and 'eye'
ой
like 'oy' in "boy"
ей
like 'ye' in "yet" and 'ay' in "play"
эй
like 'ey' in "prey"
ый
like 'i' in "Chris" and 'y' in "yes" similar to saying "possibly yes"
уй
like 'oo' in "good" and 'y' in "yet"
юй
like 'you' and 'y' in "play"
аў
like 'ou' in "out"
яў
like saying 'ya' in "yard" and 'ou' in "out"]
оў
like the 'ow' in "grow"
еў
like 'ye' in "yet" and 'wo' in "won't"
эў
like 'e' in 'end' and 'wo' in "won't"

Phrase list

[edit]

Basics

[edit]
Common signs
OPEN
адкрыта (ahd-KRY-tah')
CLOSED
закрыта (zah-KRY-tah)
ENTRANCE
уваход (oo-vah-KHOD)
EXIT
выхад (VY-khad)
PUSH
штурхаць (shtoor-KHATS'')
PULL
цягнуць (tsyahg-NOOTS')
TOILET
туалет (too-ah-LYEHT)
MEN
мужчыны (moohzh-CHY-ny)
WOMEN
жанчыны (zhahn-CHY-ny)
FORBIDDEN
забаронена (zah-bah-ROH-nyeh-nah)
NO SMOKING
не курыць (nyeh koo-RYTS')
Hello.
Вітаю. (vee-TAH-you)
How are you?
Як справы? (yahk SPRAH-vy)
Fine, thank you.
Добра, дзякуй. (DOH-brah, dzyah-KOOY)
What is your name?
Як вас завуць? (yahk vahs ZAH-voots'?)
My name is ______.
Мяне завуць______ . (MYA-nye ZAH-voots'_____ .)
Nice to meet you.
Прыемна пазнаёміцца. (pry-YEM-nah pah-znah-YO-mits-tsya)
Please.
Калі ласка. (KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
Thank you.
Дзякуй. (DZYAH-kooy)
You're welcome!
Калі ласка! (KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
Yes.
Так. (tahk)
No.
Не. (nyeh)
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Даруйце. (dah-ROOY-tsye)
I'm sorry.
Прабачце. (prah-BACH-tsye)
Goodbye
Да пабачэньня. (dah pah-bah-CHEN'-nya)
I don't speak____.
Я не размаўляю______. (yah nye rahz-maw-LYA-yoo)
Do you speak English?
Ці размаўляеце па-ангельску ? (tsi rahz-maw-LYAH-yeh-tsye pah-ahn-GHYEL'-skoo?)
Help!
Дапамажыце! (dah-pah-mah-ZHYH-tsye!)
Good day.
Добры дзень. (DOB-ry dzyen)
Good morning.
Добрай раніцы. (DOB-ray RAH-nee-tsy)
Good evening.
Добры вечар. (DOB-ry VYEH-char)
Good night.
Дабранач. (dah-BRAH-nach)
I don't understand anything.
Я нічога не разумею. (yah nee-CHOH-ghah nyeh rah-zoo-MYEH-you)
Where is the toilet?
Дзе туалет? (dzyeh too-ah-LYEHT?)

Numbers

[edit]
0
нуль (nool')
1
адзін (a-DZEEN)
2
два (dva)
3
тры (try)
4
чатыры (chah-TY-ry)
5
пяць (pyats')
6
шэсць (shests')
7
сем (syem)
8
восем (VOH-syem)
9
дзевяць (DZYEH-vyats')
10
дзесяць (DZYE-Hsyats')
11
адзінаццаць (ah-dzee-NUTS-tsats')
12
дванаццаць (dvah-NUTS-tsats')
13
трынаццаць (try-NUTS-tsats')
14
чатырнаццаць (chah-tyr-NUTS-tsats')
15
пятнаццаць (pyat-NUTS-tsats')
16
шаснаццаць (shas-NUTS-tsats')
17
сямнаццаць (syam-NUTS-tsats')
18
васямнаццаць (vah-syam-NUTS-tsats')
19
дзевятнаццаць (dzyeh-vyaht-NUTS-tsats')
20
дваццаць (DVAHTS-tsats')
30
трыццаць (TRYTS-tsats')
40
сорак (SOH-rahk)
50
пяцьдзясят (pyahts'-dzyah-SYAT)
60
шэсцьдзясят (shests'-dzyah-SYAT)
70
семдзесят (SYEM-dzyeh-syat)
80
восемдзесят (VOH-syem-dzyeh-syat)
90
дзевяноста (dzyeh-vyah-NOH-stah)
100
сто (stoh)
500
пяцьсот (PYAHTS'-soht)
1000
тысяча (TY-syah-chah)


Days of the Week

[edit]
NOTE
The days from Monday to Sunday are written in Belarusian in lowercase letters and not like the English days, which are capitalized.
Monday
панядзелак (pah-nyah-DZYEH-lahk)
Tuesday
аўторак (au-TOH-rahk)
Wednesday
серада (syeh-rah-DAH)
Thursday
чацвер (chats-VYER)
Friday
пятніца (PYAHT-nee-tsah)
Saturday
субота (soo-BOH-tah)
Sunday
нядзеля (nyah-DZYEH-Iyah)

Time

[edit]

час (ya-ch)

now
цяпер (tsyah-PYER)
today
сёння (SYON-nyah)
tomorrow
заўтра (ZAW-trah)
yesterday
учора (oo-CHOH-rah)
day
дзень (dzyen')
night
ноч (nohch)
midnight
поўнач (POW-nahch)
in the afternoon
папаўдні (pah-paw-DNI)

Months

[edit]
NOTE
The months in Belarusian are written in lowercase letters and not like the English months, which are capitalized.
January
студзень (STU-dzyen')
February
люты (LYU-ty)
March
сакавік (sah-kah-VEEK)
April
красавік (krah-sah-VEEK)
May
май (mai)
June
чэрвень (CHER-vyen')
July
ліпень (LEE-pyen')
August
жнівень (ZHNEE-vyen')
September
верасень (VYEH-rah-syen')
October
кастрычнік (kahs-TRYCH-nik)
November
лістапад (lee-stah-PAHD)
December
снежань (SNYE-zhan')

Seasons

[edit]
summer
лета (LYEH-tah)
spring
вясна (vyahs-NAH)
autumn
восень (VOH-syehn')
winter
зіма (zee-MAH)

Colors

[edit]
white
белы (BYEH-ly)
black
чорны (CHOHR-ny)
red
чырвоны (chyr-VOH-ny)
yellow
жоўты (ZHOW-ty)
blue
сіні (SEE-nee)
light blue
блакітны (blah-KEET-nyh)
brown
карычневы (kah-RY-chnyeh-vy)
gray
шэры/сівы (SHEH-ry/SEE-vy)
purple
пурпурны/лiловы (poor-POOR-ny/lee-LOH-vy)
green
зялёны (zyah-LYOH-ny)
pink
ружовы (roo-ZHOH-vy)

Transportation

[edit]
airplane/ airline
самалёт (samaliOt)
taxi
таксі (taksI)
train
цягнік (tsiagnIk)
trolley
тралейбус (traliEibus)
tram
трамвай (tramvAi)
bus
аўтобус (awtObus)
car
аўтамабіль (awtamabIl)
van
фургон (foor-GOHN)
ferry
паром (parOm)
ship, boat
судна (sUdna)
helicopter
верталёт (viertaliOt)
bicycle
веласіпед (vielasipiEd)
motorcycle
матацыкл (mah-tah-TSIH-kuhl)


Bus and train

[edit]
Buses in Brest
How much is a ticket to _____?
Колькі каштуе білет да _____? (KOlki kashTUe BIlet da____?)
One ticket to _____, please.
Адзін білет да _____,калі ласка. (ADzin BIlet da____,Kali LASka.)
Where does this train/bus go?
Куды едзе гэты цягнік / аўтобус? (koo-DY YE-dze HE-ty tsiagNIK/ awTObus)
Where is the train/bus to _____?
Дзе цягніком / аўтобусам да______? (dze tsiagNIkom/ awTObusam da____?)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?
Ці спыняецца гэты цягнік / аўтобус на_______? (tsi spyNIAHyetstsah GEty tsiagNIK/awTObus na_____?)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
Калі цягнік / аўтобус у ______ адпраўляецца? (kah-LEE tsyahg-NEEK/ aw-TOH-boos oo ______ ahd-prahw-LIAH-yeh-tstsah?)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?
Калі гэты цягнік / аўтобус прыбудзе ў_____? (kah-LEE GEH-ty tsyahg-NEEK/ aw-TOH-boos pry-BOOD-zeh weh______?)

Directions

[edit]
How do I get to _____ ?
Як дабрацца_____ ? (yahk dahb-RAH-tstsah ____?)
...the train station?
...да жалезна-дарожнай станцыі? (dah zhah-LEHZ-nah dah-ROHZH-nai STAHN-tsy-yee?)
...the bus station?
...да аўтобуснай станцыі? (dah ow-toh-BOOS-naia STAHN-tsy-yee?)
...the airport?
...да аэрапорта? (dah ae-rah-POHR-tah?)
...downtown?
...у цэнтр горада? (oo tsehntr GHOR-rah-dah?)
...the youth hostel?
...моладзевы гатэль? (MOH-lahd-zehvy GAH-tehl')
...the _____ hotel?
..._____гатэль? (GHAH-tehl')
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?
...Амерыкана/ канадскага / аўстралійскага / брытанскім консульствам? (AMEH-ry-kah-nah/ KAH-nahds-kah-gah/ OWS-trah-leeys-kah-gah/ BRY-tahs-keem KOHN-sool'stvahm?)
Where are there a lot of...
Дзе тут ёсць шмат... (dzyeh toot yohs'ts' shmaht)
...hotels?
...гасцініц? (GHAHS-tsih-nihts?)
...restaurants?
...рэстаранаў? (REHS-tah-rah-naw?)
...bars?
...бараў? (bah-raw?)
...sites to see?
...цікавых мясцін? (tsih-KAH-vyhh myahs'-tseen)
Can you show me on the map?
Ці можаце вы паказаць мне на карце? (tsee moh-ZHAH-tsyeh vy pah-kah-ZATS' mnyeh nah KAHR-tsyeh?)
street
вуліца (VOO-lee-tsah)
Turn left.
павярнуць налева (PAH-vyahr-noots' NAH-lyeh-vah)
Turn right.
павярнуць направа (PAH-vyahr-noots' NAHP-rah-vah)
left
левы (LYEH-vy)
right
правы (PRAH-vy)
straight ahead
прама перад сабой (PRAH-mah PYEH-rahd SAH-boy)
towards the _____
па напрамку да_____ (pah nahp-RAHM-koo dah)
past the _____
мінулае_____ (mee-MOO-lae)
before the _____
перш_____ (pehrsh)
Watch for the _____.
чакаць_____. (CHAH-kahts')
intersection
Перасячэнне (peh-rah-syah-CHEHN-neh)
north
поўнач (POW-nahch)
south
поўдзень (POW-dzyehhn')
east
усход (ows-KHOHD)
west
захад (ZAH-khahd)
uphill
горы (GOH-ry)
downhill
уніз па схіле. (ow-NEEZ pah SKH-lyeh)

Taxi

[edit]
Taxi!
Таксі! (TAHK-see)
Take me to _____, please.
Адвязіце мяне _____, калі ласка. (ahd-vyahz-ZEE-cye MYAH-neh _____, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
How much does it cost to get to _____?
Колькі будзе каштаваць дабрацца да_____? (KOHL'-kee BOOD-zeh kahsh-TAH-vahts' dah-BRAH-tsah dah_____?)
Take me there, please.
Адвязіце мяне туды, калі ласка. (ahd-vyahz-ZEE-cye MYAH-neh too-DYH, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)

Lodging

[edit]
hotel/inn
гатэль (ghah-TEL')
Do you have any rooms?
Ці ёсьць у вас нумары? (tsih yohsts' oo vahs noo-mah-RY?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?
Колькі каштуе пакой на аднаго чалавека/двух чалавек? (KOHL'kee kash-TOO-ie pah-KOY nah ahd-nah-HOH chah-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chah-lah-VYEHK?)
Does the room come with...
Ці ёсьць у пакоі… (tsih yohsts' oo pah-KOYI…)
...bedsheets?
...прасціны? (prahs-TSIH-ny)
...a bathroom?
...Ванна? (VAH-nah)
...a telephone?
...тэлефон? (teh-lyeh-FOHN)
...a TV?
…Тэлебачанне? (teh-lyeh-BAH-chahn-nyeh?)
May I see the room first?
Ці магу я сьпярша паглядзець пакой? (tsih mah-HOO yah spyar-SHAH pah-hlyah-JYEHTS pah-KOY?)
Do you have anything quieter?
Ці маеце што-небудзь пацішэй? (tsih MAH-ye-tsye shto-NYE-budz’ pah-tsih-SHEY?)
...bigger?
…паболей? (pah-BOHL-yey?)
...cleaner?
…пачысьцей? (pah-chys-TSYEY?)
...cheaper?
…танней? (tahn-NEHY?)
OK, I'll take it.
Добра, я вазьму яго. (DOH-brah, yah VAHS'-moo YAH-hoh)
I will stay for _____ night(s).
Я застануся на _____ ноч(ы). (yah zahs-TAH-noo-syah nah_____noch(y))
Can you suggest another hotel?
Ці вы можаце прапанаваць іншую гасцініцу? (tsih vy moh-ZHAH-tsyeh prah-pah-NAH-vahts'?)
Do you have a safe?
У вас ёсць сейф? (oo vahs iosts' sayf?)
...lockers?
...Сейфы? (SAY-fy?)
Is breakfast/supper included?
Уключаны ці сняданак/вячэру уключаны? (oo-klyoh-CHAH-nee tsee snyah-DAH-nahk/vryah-CHEH-roo oo-klyoh-CHAH-nee?)
What time is breakfast/supper?
Колькі часу сняданак/вячэру? (KOHL'kee CHAH-soo SNYAH-dah-nahk/vyah-CHEH-roo?)
Please clean my room.
Калі ласка, чыстую пакой. (kah-LEE LAHS-kah, CHYS-tooio pah-KOY)
Can you wake me at _____?
Ці можаце вы абудзіць мяне ў _____? (tsee MOH-zhah-tsyeh vy ah-bood-ZEETS' myah-NYEH weh.....?)
I want to check out.
Я хачу выселіцца. (yah khah-CHOO VY-sye-li-tstsa')

Money

[edit]
100000 rubles
Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
Вы прымаеце амерыканскія/аўстралійскія/канадскія даляры? (vy pry-MAH-eh-tsyeh ah-meh-ry-KAHNS-kiia/ows-trah-LIIS-kiia/kah-NAHDS-kiia dah-LYAH-ry)
Do you accept British pounds?
Ці прымаеце Вы брытанскія фунты? (tsih pry-mah-EH-tsyeh vy bry-TAHNS-kiia FOON-ty?)
Do you accept credit cards?
Вы прымаеце крэдытныя карты? (vy prih-MAH-eh-tsyeh kreh-DIHT-niia KAHR-tih?)
Can you change money for me?
Вы можаце памяняць грошы для мяне? (vy moh-ZHAH-tsyeh pah-myah-NYAHTS' GHROH-shee dlyah MYAH-nyeh?)
Where can I get money changed?
Дзе я магу памяняць грошы? (dzyeh yah mah-GHOO pah-myah-NYAHTS' GHROH-shee?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?
Ці можаце Вы памяняць дарожны чэк для мяне? (tsih moh-ZHAH-tsyeh vy pah-myah-NYAHTS' dah-ROHZH-ny chek dlyah MYAH-neh?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
Дзе я магу памяняць дарожны чэк? (dzyeh yah mah-GHOOpah-myah-NYAHTS' dah-ROHZH-ny chek?)
What is the exchange rate?
Які абменны курс? (yah-KEE ahb-MYEHN-ny koors?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
Дзе знаходзіцца банкамат (ATM)? (dzyeh znah-khohd-ZEE-tstsa bahn-KAH-maht)

Eating

[edit]
Belarusian lunch
A table for one person/two people, please.
Стол для аднаго чалавека/двух чалавек, калі ласка. (stohl dlyah ahd-NAH-hoh chah-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chah-LAH-vyehk, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
Can I look at the menu, please?
Ці магу я паглядзець на меню, калі ласка? (tsee mah-GHOO yah pah-HLYAH-dzyehts' nah myeh-NIU, KAH-lee LAHS-kah?)
Can I look in the kitchen?
Ці магу я паглядзець на кухню? (tsee MAH-hoo yah pah-HLYAH-dzyehts' nah KOO-khnyoo?)
Is there a house specialty?
Ёсць фірменная страва? (yohsts' feer-MYEHN-nah-yah STRAH-vah?)
Is there a local specialty?
Ці ёсць мясцовыя стравы? (tsee yohts' myahs-TSOH-vih-ah STRAH-vih?)
I'm a vegetarian.
Я вегетарыанец/вегетарыянка. (m/f) (yah veh-geh-tah-ryh-AH-nyets/veh-geh-tah-RYAHN-kah)
I don't eat pork.
Я не ем свініну. (yah nyeh yehm svee-NEE-noo)
I don't eat beef.
Я не ем ялавічыну. (yah nyeh yehm yah-lah-VEE-chih-noo)
I only eat kosher food.
Я ем толькі кашэрную ежу. (yah yehm TOHL'kee kah-SHYEHR-nooiu YEH-zhoo)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
Ці можаце вы зрабіць яго менш тлушчым, калі ласка? (tsee MOH-zhah-tsyeh vyh zrah-BEET' YAH-goh myensh TLOOSH-chyhm, kah-LEE LAHS-kah?)
fixed-price meal
комплексны абед (KOHM-plyeh-ksnyh ah-BYET)
a la carte
порционные (pohr-TSEEOHN-nyeh)
breakfast
сняданак (snyah-DAH-nahk)
lunch
абед (ah-BYEHD)
tea (meal)
чай/гарбата (chai/gahr-BAH-tah)
supper/dinner
вячэра (vyah-CHEH-rah)
I want _____.
Я хачу____. (yah HAH-choo)
I want a dish containing _____.
Я хачу страву з_____. (yah HAH-choo STRAH-voo z....)
chicken
кураня (koo-RAH-nyah)
beef
ялавічына (yah-lah-vih-CHEE-nah)
fish
рыба (RYH-bah)
ham
вяндліна (vyahd-LEE-nah)
sausage
каўбаса (kow-bah-SAH)
cheese
сыр (syhr)
eggs
яйкі (YAI-kee)
salad
салата (sah-LAH-tah)
(fresh) vegetables
(свежая) гародніна ((SVYEH-zhaia) hah-rohd-NEE-nah)
(fresh) fruit
(свежыя) фрукты ((SVYEH-zhyh-ia) FROOK-tyh)
bread
хлеб (khlyehb)
toast
тост (tohst)
noodles
лапша (LAHP-shah)
rice
рыс (ryhs)
beans
фасоль (fah-SOHL’)
May I have a glass of _____?
Можна мне шклянку_____? (MOHZH-nah mnyeh SHKLYAHN-koo.....?)
May I have a cup of _____?
Ці магу я выпіць кубак_____? (tsee mah-GHOO yah VYH-peet' KOO-bahk....?)
May I have a bottle of _____?
Можна мне бутэльку_____? (MOHZH-nah mnyeh boo-TEHL'koo....?)
coffee
кава (KAH-vah)
tea (drink)
чай/гарбата (chai/ghahr-BAH-tah)
juice
сок (sohk)
(bubbly) water
(газаваная) вада ((ghah-zah-VAH-nah-ia) vah-DAH)
water
вада (vah-DAH)
beer
піва (PEE-vah)
red/white wine
чырвонае/белае віно (chyhr-VOH-nah-yeh/BYEH-lah-yeh vee-NOH)
May I have some _____?
Ці можна мне крыху _____? (tsee MOHZH-nah mnye KRYH-hoo....?)
salt
солі (SOH-lee)
black pepper
чорнага перцу (CHOR-nah-vah PYER-tsoo)
butter
масла (MAHS-lah)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
Прабачце мяне, aфіцыянт/афіцыянтка? (m/f) (prah-BAHCH-tsyeh MYAH-nyeh, ah-fee-tsyh-YAHNT/ah-fee-tsyh-YAHNT-kah?)
I'm finished.
Я скончыў/скончыла. (m/f) (yah SKOHN-chyw/SKOHN-chyh-lah)
It was delicious.
Было вельмі смачна. (byh-LOH VYEHL'mee SMAHCH-nah)
Please clear the plates.
Калі ласка, прыбірыце са стала. (kah-LEE LAHS-kah, pryh-bee-RYH-tye sah STAH-lah)
The check, please.
Чэк, калі ласка. (chek, kah-LEE LAHS-kah)

Bars

[edit]
Krambambula - popular alcoholic drink in Belarus
Do you serve alcohol?
Вы прадаеце спіртныя напоі? (vy prah-dah-YEH-tsyeh speert-NY-ia nah-POH-yee?)
Is there table service?
Тут ёсць афіцыянт? (toot yohsts' ah-fee-tsyh-YAHNT?)
A beer/two beers, please.
Піва/два піва, калі ласка. (PEE-vah/dvah PEE-vah, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
A glass of red/white wine, please.
Келіх чырвонага/белага віна, калі ласка. (KYEH-leeh chyhr-VOH-nah-gah/byeh-LAH-gah vee-NAH, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
A pint, please.
Пінту, калі ласка. (PEEHN-too, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
A bottle, please.
Бутэльку, калі ласка. (boo-TEHL'-koo, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
whiskey
віскі (VEES-kee)
vodka
гарэлка (hah-REHL-kah)
rum
ром (rohm)
water
вада (vah-DAH)
club soda
содавая (SOH-dah-vah-yah)
tonic water
тонік (TOH-neek)
orange juice
апельсінавы сок (apehl'-SEE-nah-vih sohk)
Coke (soda)
кола (KOH-lah)
Do you have any bar snacks?
Ці ёсць у Вас закускі? (tsee yohsts' oo vahs zah-KOOS-kee?)
One more, please.
Яшчэ адзін, калі ласка. (YAHSH-cheh AHD-zeen, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
Another round, please.
Яшчэ адзін раунд, калі ласка. (YAHSH-cheh AHD-zeen RAH-oond, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
When is closing time?
Калі вы зачыняецеся? (kah-LEE vy zah-chy-NYAH-yeh-tsyeh-syah?)
Cheers!
Вашае здароўе! (VAH-shah-ye zdah-ROW-yeh!)

Shopping

[edit]
Do you have this in my size?
У вас ёсць гэта майго памеру? (oo vahs yosts' HEH-tah MAI-goh pah-MYEH-roo?)
How much is this?
Колькі гэта каштуе? (KOHL'kee HEH-tah kah-SHTOO-yeh?)
That's too expensive.
Гэта занадта дорага. (HEH-tah zah-NAHT-tah doh-RAH-gah)
Would you take _____?
Возьмеце _____? (VOHZ'-myeh-tsyeh.....?)
expensive
дарагі (dah-RAH-ghee)
cheap
танны (TAHN-ny)
I can't afford it.
Я не магу сабе гэта дазволіць. (yah nyeh MAH-hoo SAH-byeh HEH-tah dahz-VOH-leets')
I don't want it.
Я не хачу гэта. (yah nyeh KHAH-choo GHEH-tah)
You're cheating me.
Вы мяне падманваеце. (vy MYAH-nyeh pahd-MAHN-vah-yeh-tsyeh)
I'm not interested.
Я не зацікаўлены. (yah nyeh zah-tsee-KOW-lyeh-ny)
OK, I'll take it.
Добра, я вазьму гэта. (DOH-brah, yah VAHZ'moo GHEH-tah)
Can I have a bag?
Дайце пакет, калі ласка (DIE-tsyeh pah-KYET, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)
Do you ship (overseas)?
Вы высылаеце поштай (за мяжу)? (vih SOOD-nah (zah MYAH-zhoo)?)
I need...
Мне патрэбна... (mnyeh pah-TREH-bna...)
...toothpaste.
...зубная паста. (ZOOB-naia PAHS-tah)
...a toothbrush.
...зубная шчотка. (ZOOB-naia shchoht-KAH)
...tampons.
...тампоны. (tahm-POH-nih)
...soap.
...мыла. (MY-lah)
...shampoo.
...шампунь. (SHAHM-poon')
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
...абязбольвальны сродак. (ah-byahz-BOHL'-vahl'-ny SROH-dahk)
...cold medicine.
...сродак ад прастуды. (SROH-dahk ahd prah-STOO-dy)
...stomach medicine.
...сродак для страўніка. (SROH-dahk dlyah STRAW-nee-kah)
...a razor.
...брытва. (BRYHT-vah)
...an umbrella.
...парасон. (pah-rah-SOHN)
...sunblock lotion.
...крэм ад сонца. (krehm ahd SOHN-tsa)
...a postcard.
...паштоўка. (pash-TOW-kah)
...postage stamps.
...паштовыя маркі. (pash-TOH-vyah MAHR-kee)
...batteries.
...батарэйкі. (bah-tah-REY-kee)
...writing paper.
...папера для пісьма. (pah-PYEH-rah dlyah PEES'-mah)
...a pen.
...асадка. (ah-SAHD-kah)
...English-language books.
...кнігі на англійскай мове. (KNEE-ghee nah ahn-GLEE-ees-kai MOH-veh)
...English-language magazines.
...часопісы на англійскай мове. (chah-SOH-pee-sy nah ahn-GLEE-ees-kai MOH-veh)
...an English-language newspaper.
.. газеты на англійскай мове. (ghah-ZEH-ty nah ahn-GLEE-ees-kai MOH-veh)
...an English-Belarusian dictionary.
...англійска-беларускі слоўнік. ('angh-LEEY-skah-byeh-lah-ROOS-kee SLOW-neek')

Driving

[edit]
Belarusian road
I want to rent a car.
Я хачу ўзяць машыну напракат. (yah KHAH-choo ooh-zyahts' mah-SHYH-noo nahp-rah-KAHT)
Can I get insurance?
Ці магу я атрымаць страхоўку? (tsih mah-GHOO yah ah-TRIH-mahts' strah-KHOW-koo?)
stop (on a street sign)
stop (stohp)
one way
у адзін бок (oo ah-DZEEN bohk)
yield
саступіце дарогу (sah-stoo-PEE-tsyeh dah-ROH-ghoo)
no parking
няма паркоўкі (NYAH-mah pahr-KOW-kee)
speed limit
абмежаванне хуткасці (ahb-myeh-ZHAH-vahn-nyeh khoot-KAHS-tsih)
gas (petrol) station
запраўка (zah-PRAW-kah)
petrol
бензін (behn-ZEEN)
diesel
дызельнае паліва (DYH-zyel'-nah-yeh PAH-lee-vah)

Authority

[edit]
Police tractor in Minsk.
I haven't done anything wrong.
Я не зрабіў нічога дрэннага. (yah nyeh zrah-BEEW nee-CHOH-ghah DREHN-nah-gah)
It was a misunderstanding.
Гэта было непаразуменне. (GHEH-tah byh-LOH nyeh-pah-rah-zoo-MYEHN'-nyeh)
Where are you taking me?
Куды вы мяне вядзеце? (koo-DY vy myah-NYEHh vyah-DZYEH-tsyeh?)
Am I under arrest?
Я пад арыштам? (yah pahd AH-ryhsh-tahm?)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
Мне трэба звязацца з амбасадай/консульствам Амерыкі / Аўстраліі / Велікабрытаніі / Канады. (mnyeh TREH-bah zvyah-ZATS-tsa z ahm-bah-SAHD-die/ KOHN-sool'-stvahm ah-MYEH-ry-kee/ ows-TRAH-lee-yee/ vyah-lee-kah-brih-TAH-nee-yee/ kah-NAH-dy )
I want to talk to a lawyer.
Я хачу пагаварыць з адвакатам. (yah khah-CHOO pah-gah-vah-RYTS' z ahd-vah-KAH-tahm)
Can I just pay a fine now?
Ці магу я проста заплаціць штраф зараз? (tsee mah-GHOO yah PROHS-tah zahp-lah-TSEETS' shtrahf ZAH-rahz?)
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