Russian for Kids
How to Say "How are you" in Russian
A simple question that shows you care about another person's day.
In Russian (Русский)
Как дела? (Kak dela?)
Pronounced: kahk dyeh-LAH
What “How are you” means and when to use it
The listed Russian expression in this lesson is “Как дела? (Kak dela?).” Its beginner pronunciation approximation is “kahk dyeh-LAH.” A simple question that shows you care about another person's day. The approximation is a reading scaffold, not a replacement for the native writing or for listening to a speaker whose variety you are learning.
Use this after an opening greeting to ask about someone's well-being. Depending on language and setting, the question may function as a brief social greeting or as a genuine invitation to share. Pause for the answer and do not demand personal details. Because responses require additional listed language, this lesson keeps replies in English or uses a separately listed happy phrase only if available; it never manufactures a fluent foreign sentence. Formality and number can also change the question's wording.
Learners never have to disclose real feelings. Emotion cards allow a fictional answer, and culturally different greeting routines should not be judged as uncaring.
Russian pronunciation workshop
Russian uses the 33-letter Cyrillic alphabet. Some letters resemble Latin letters but represent different sounds: В is v, Н is n, and Р is r. Stress is important and unstressed vowels can change quality, especially written о sounding nearer a. Many consonants have hard and soft versions; softness includes a slight y-like tongue position. Final voiced consonants may become voiceless. The all-caps syllable in our hint is useful because ordinary Russian text usually does not print stress marks.
Now apply those sound ideas specifically to “Как дела? (Kak dela?).” Read the native form first, then use “kahk dyeh-LAH” to locate the broad sound sequence and emphasized syllable. Say the entire expression in one comfortable turn. Do not substitute English sounds more strongly merely because a letter looks familiar, and do not erase marks, accents, or characters when copying it.
Find the stressed syllable and tap it once, then say the whole phrase with the unstressed syllables lighter. Point out any Cyrillic look-alike that has a different sound. Keep soft consonants gently raised toward the palate and avoid adding an extra vowel after a final consonant.
Respectful context across Russia
Russian has informal ты (ty) and formal or plural вы (vy). Children commonly use informal forms with peers, while names plus patronymics and formal address can matter in adult or institutional settings. A spoken greeting may differ by time and relationship. Russian is also used by varied communities outside Russia, and speakers' identities and accents should not be presumed. Language learning is about communicating with people, not endorsing a government or reducing a culture to politics.
This lesson teaches one useful listed translation, not the only wording used by all Russian speakers. Age, relationship, region, and situation can change a speaker's choice. A good learner notices those choices, asks respectfully when appropriate, and accepts correction without arguing that a phrase list must outrank a person's own language experience.
Practice activity: scene, speak, reflect
Partner A says the listed hello, pauses, then says the translated how-are-you. Partner B chooses an emotion card and answers in English, such as “I’m feeling calm,” so every translated turn remains listed. Partner A listens and says the listed thank-you if the exchange warrants it. Swap roles and repeat with friend, teacher, and video-call scene cards. Discuss in English how voice and patience show that the question is not merely a race to the next line.
Use three passes. On pass one, read “Как дела? (Kak dela?)” while a partner checks every word or character. On pass two, look only at the scene card and retrieve the expression from memory. On pass three, use an English scene prompt and deliver the Russian speaking turn at a natural volume. Afterward, explain in English why the phrase fit that scene. This keeps meaning, respectful behavior, and pronunciation together instead of rewarding speed alone.
A successful attempt is understandable and considerate, not accent-free. Mark one detail you kept consistent—perhaps the stress, a long vowel, a tone direction, a final consonant, or the full word order—and choose one detail for another careful repetition. Stop before practice becomes rushed. Short, attentive rounds build a more reliable memory than saying the phrase many times without listening to yourself or your partner.
Practice dialogue
- Scene prompt (English)
- Two classmates meet before an activity begins.
- Russian speaking turn — Learner A
- Привет (Privet)
- Role-play cue (English)
- Learner A asks the target well-being question and waits.
- Russian target speaking turn — Learner A
- Как дела? (Kak dela?)
- Role-play reply/action (English) — Learner B
- I’m doing well today.
- Russian speaking turn — Learner B
- Спасибо (Spasibo)
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