Time and Phrases

Который час? — what’s the time? Plus the phrases of daily life.

  • Tell the time
  • Use time expressions
  • Handle everyday situations

Time and Phrases

Russian time uses cases famously (‘of the hour’ constructions) — but the core patterns are learnable.

Definition: Kotory chas

Который час? = ‘which hour?’ — how Russians ask the time. Answer: Сейчас три часа (now [is] three hours).

Key points

  • Сейчас (seychas) = now. Сегодня (segodnya) = today. Завтра (zavtra) = tomorrow.
  • Days: понедельник Monday … воскресенье Sunday.
  • Как дела? (kak dela?) = how are things? — Хорошо! (Good!)
  • Useful: Где…? (where is…?), Я не понимаю (I don’t understand).
Making a plan

— Как дела? — Хорошо, спасибо! Встретимся завтра? — Давай! (How are things? — Good, thanks! Shall we meet tomorrow? — Let’s!)

Practice

How do Russians ask the time?
Which hour?

‘Который час?’ (kotory chas?).

How do you say ‘I don’t understand’?
Ya ne ponimayu.

‘Я не понимаю’ — every learner’s lifeline.

Key takeaways
  • Который час? asks the time.
  • Сегодня/завтра = today/tomorrow.
  • Как дела? = how are things?
  • Я не понимаю saves everyone.