How to Say Yes and No in Russian: Да, Нет, and Nuances
"Yes" and "no" in Russian are simple words, but there are a few important details so you don't sound unclear or rude. Even at CEFR A1, understanding the nuances — especially how intonation matters — can save you from awkward misunderstandings.
- How to say "yes" (да) and "no" (нет) in Russian
- The tricky logic of да in negative questions
- Other ways to agree or disagree: конечно, точно, неа
- Short answer examples for everyday conversation
Yes — Да (da)
Да (da) means "yes" and нет (nyet) means "no." But watch out: in Russian, да can confirm a negative statement — the opposite of English. Intonation matters as much as the words themselves.
- Да is the standard word for "yes."
- Pronunciation: like "da" in "dad," short and clear.
- You can repeat it for emphasis: Да, да! (Yes, yes!)
In answers to negative questions, Russian often uses да where English would say "no":
- Ты не был в Москве? — You weren't in Moscow?
- Да, не был. — That's right, I wasn't. (So: "да" confirms the negative statement.)
So "да" can mean "correct, that's right" even when the statement is negative.
Want to practise saying да and нет with the right intonation? Book a free trial with a native Russian teacher and build confidence in real conversations.
No — Нет (nyet)
- Нет is the standard word for "no."
- Pronunciation: "nyet" (the е is like "ye").
- To say "I don't have" or "there isn't," you use нет + noun in genitive: Нет времени. (No time. / There's no time.)
Negation in sentences: use не (not) before the verb: Я не знаю. (I don't know.)
Other Ways to Agree or Disagree
- Конечно (konechno) — Of course (agreement).
- Точно (tochno) — Exactly / Right.
- Неа (nea) — Casual "nope" (informal).
- Ни в коем случае (ni v koyem sluchaye) — No way / By no means (strong no).
Intonation can completely change the meaning of да and нет. Practise with a native speaker who can model the right tone for you. Check out our Russian lessons for live conversation practice.
Short Answers
- — Ты идёшь? — Да. — Are you going? — Yes.
- — Вы говорите по-русски? — Нет. — Do you speak Russian? — No.
- — Это правильно? — Да, правильно. — Is this correct? — Yes, it's correct.
Compared to many European languages, Russian uses intonation more heavily to convey agreement and disagreement — similar to how Mandarin uses tones, though on a sentence level rather than word level.
For more on navigating polite vs casual speech, see our guide on formal and informal Russian. You'll also want to know how to say hello in Russian to open conversations, and our best Russian phrases for travel covers yes/no in real-world contexts like shops and restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is нет rude in Russian?
By itself, a blunt нет can sound curt — just like a flat "no" in English. To soften it, add a reason or use a polite phrase: Нет, спасибо (No, thank you) or К сожалению, нет (Unfortunately, no). Tone of voice matters a lot at CEFR A1 and beyond.
How do I politely refuse something in Russian?
Use нет, спасибо (no, thank you) for offers, or к сожалению, я не могу (unfortunately, I can't) for invitations. In formal settings, извините, но… (I'm sorry, but…) is a polite way to decline.
What does ну mean?
Ну (nu) is a filler word — roughly equivalent to "well…" or "so…" in English. It doesn't mean yes or no on its own, but it often precedes an answer: Ну да (well, yes) or Ну нет (well, no). It can also express hesitation, impatience, or encouragement depending on intonation.
Practice Yes and No in Context
Getting да and нет right — including in negative questions — is easier with live practice. Explore our Russian lessons — we use simple dialogues and questions in every class. Practice with a native teacher and build confidence.