Sincere compliments are wonderful! Every person loves to hear about his or her merits. Compliments make people happy, increase self-esteem, and smooth out sharp edges in relationships. Of course, they’re not obligatory, but they are helpful in many situations.
That’s why you should know some Russian compliments if you study this language or simply want to fly to Russia in the future. This article will help you learn about giving compliments in the Russian language.
Table of Contents
- General Information
- Compliments on Someone’s Look
- Compliments on Someone’s Skills or Abilities
- Compliments on Someone’s Personal Traits
- Compliments on Someone’s Work
- How to Make Sincere Compliments
- How to Respond to Compliments
- Conclusion
1. General Information
First of all, you need to know that Russian people aren’t really enthusiastic about giving compliments. They praise each other from time to time, but not as much as Americans do, for example. Moreover, Russians almost never give compliments to strangers or people they’ve just met.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give Russian compliments to people you’re not very close with. Just be relaxed and sincere. Russian people will appreciate your openness.
2. Compliments on Someone’s Look
Do Russian women like compliments? Of course! If you want to compliment a Russian woman, start with her appearance.
Below, we’ll give you the best Russian compliment phrases regarding appearance. Some are suitable only for women, while others are good for men and women.
- Ты прекрасно выглядишь! (Ty prekrasno vyglyadish!) — “You look nice!”
This is one of the most appropriate Russian compliments for your girlfriend when her makeup is particularly well done or she’s wearing a tastefully chosen outfit. You may also use this phrase to compliment the appearance of your friend or close relative.
Always be mentally prepared for your dates!
- Ты так привлекательна! (Ty tak privlekatel’na!) — “You’re so attractive!”
If you aren’t sure how to compliment a Russian woman, use this phrase. Make sure that you say it to a girl you know well enough or who is younger than you. Don’t forget that it’s a flirty compliment in Russian, so try to use it only in informal situations.
- Эта рубашка тебе идёт. (Eta rubashka tebe idyot.) — “This shirt suits you.”
This remark is universal. You may use it to express your thoughts about your friend’s new shirt or about an old shirt that you see on him or her for the first time.
- У тебя хороший вкус. (U tebya khoroshiy vkus.) — “You have good taste.”
This is one of the most widespread Russian compliments. If somebody you know looks particularly good in the clothes they’re wearing, feel free to use this phrase.
- Какие у тебя красивые глаза! (Kakiye u tebya krasivyye glaza!) — “Your eyes are so beautiful!”
While this is one of the best Russian beauty compliments for women, you can also say this to a man. Use this phrase if your male or female friend has charming eyes; for example, if they’re clearly blue or almond-shaped.
- Вы молодо выглядите. (Vy molodo vyglyadite.) — “You look young.”
This useful expression is one of the most common Russian compliments for women who are older than forty. You may use it in both formal and informal situations.
There are many Russian women who look younger than they really are.
- Твоя красота сводит меня с ума. (Tvoya krasota svodit menya s uma.) — “Your beauty drives me crazy.”
You may find this and other beautiful Russian compliments in literature. If you want to compliment a girl in Russian in a unique way, especially if you’re dating, use this phrase.
3. Compliments on Someone’s Skills or Abilities
Knowing Russian beauty compliments isn’t enough. You should also be able to praise a person for his or her abilities. In this section, you’re going to learn about giving compliments in Russian regarding somebody’s skills.
- Вы здорово танцуете! (Vy zdorovo tantsuyete!) — “You’re a good dancer!”
If you’re going to a party, make sure you remember this expression. You may use it to start a new conversation with someone you don’t know while dancing.
- Мне нравится, как ты готовишь. (Mne nravitsya, kak ty gotovish’.) — “I like your cooking.”
If you want to compliment a Russian woman for something other than her appearance, try to remember this phrase. Among all compliments for a Russian woman, this one is the most pleasing. If you like the meals your girlfriend cooks, let her know!
- Ты смешно шутишь. (Ty smeshno shutish’.) — “You’re funny.”
How to compliment a Russian man? This phrase will help you! Russian men adore when women find them funny. This compliment doesn’t sound flirty, so you may use it in conversations with your male or female friends if you really like their jokes.
- Ты умеешь удивить. (Ty umeyesh’ udivit’.) — “You know how to surprise.”
This is the best compliment you can give to Russian people who are creative. If you’re amazed by your girlfriend’s, boyfriend’s, friend’s, or close relative’s success, express your feelings by using this compliment in Russian.
- Ты прекрасно водишь машину. (Ty prekrasno vodish’ mashinu.) — “You’re a good driver.”
Use this phrase to praise somebody’s driving skills. If your friend has just started to drive, cheer him or her on with this positive compliment.
You don’t have to be a professional driver to have good driving skills!
4. Compliments on Someone’s Personal Traits
Some of the best Russian compliments are those that focus not only on appearance and skills, but also personal traits. The phrases below will help you.
- Вы так добры. (Vy tak dobry.) — “You’re so kind.”
This phrase sounds good in conversations with people whom you don’t know very well, when you feel that they’re nice. For example, you can give such a compliment to a stranger who helped you collect your scattered papers.
- Ты такой общительный человек. (Ty takoy obshchitel’nyy chelovek.) — “You’re such a sociable person.”
If your friend or close relative is always surrounded by people and easily gets along with them, praise him for it!
Sociable people like when somebody mentions their openness!
- Ты умён/умна не по годам. (Ty umyon/umna ne po godam.) — “You’re clever beyond your age.”
You may have a friend or a sibling who is young, but has much success in studying and seems wise. Mention his or her mental abilities by using this Russian compliment.
- Ты силён/сильна духом. (Ty silyon/sil’na dukhom.) — “Your spirit is strong.”
You may use this phrase while having a conversation with someone who does well in sports, for example.
5. Compliments on Someone’s Work
If you want to learn about giving compliments in Russian, you can’t do without phrases connected to work. You should definitely master Russian compliments for people with whom you work or study.
- Вы отлично справились! (Vy otlichno spravilis’!) — “You did a good job!”
This is the highest Russian compliment for your co-worker or employee who has done very well in something.
- Не знаю, что бы я без вас делал. (Ne znayu, chto by ya bez vas delal.) — “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
If you really appreciate your colleague or any other person for his or her help, show it by giving compliments like this.
- Я ценю ваш подход к работе. (Ya tsenyu vash podkhod k rabote.) — “I appreciate your approach to work.”
If you like the way a person treats his or her work, say it.
- Фантастическая работа! (Fantasticheskaya rabota!) — “Fantastic work!”
When the work is finished successfully, don’t forget to praise the person who accomplished it using this Russian compliment.
6. How to Make Sincere Compliments
Are you wondering how to say compliments in Russian and sound sincere? It’s easy! Use the following tips:
1. Don’t lie. If someone wears braces, don’t say that he or she has a beautiful smile. It would sound far-fetched. Never compliment the things that you don’t really like in another person.
Honesty is the best policy!
2. Maintain eye contact. If you hide your eyes, the person you’re trying to praise will probably think that you’re not being fully honest with him.
3. Don’t use too many beautiful Russian compliments found in literature. Of course, there are many nice expressions from books, but most of them sound weird in everyday conversations. Let those beautiful Russian compliments stay in literature.
7. How to Respond to Compliments
Now you know how to give compliments in Russian. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough information to communicate with native speakers. Don’t forget to learn how to respond to Russian compliments. There are some easy ways to do it:
- Спасибо. (Spasibo.) — “Thanks.”
- Благодарю. (Blagodaryu.) — “Thank you.”
- Спасибо, вы тоже/ты тоже. (Spasibo, vy tozhe/ty tozhe.) — “Thank you, you too.”
- Я польщён/польщена. (Ya pol’shchyon/pol’shchena.) — “I’m flattered.”
8. Conclusion
We hope this guide will help you make other people happy. If you want to learn more about compliments in Russian culture, check out RussianPod101.com. Here you’ll find not only many useful compliments, but also other phrases for your everyday communication.
You may also want to sign up for our premium service MyTeacher to enjoy one-on-one coaching, personalized exercises and assignments, and much more. We’re sure that it will help you master the Russian language and make you more confident while speaking!
What’s your favorite Russian compliment? What are some common compliments in your language? Let us know in the comments!
