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From Wikitravel

Belarusian is the main language of Belarus.

Belarusian and Russian are the two official languages, but Russian is more widely spoken. It will be difficult to get by without some Russian. The two languages are closely related, together with Ukrainian, so even the Belarusian monolinguals understand some Russian and Ukrainian. Polish is spoken in the western parts, especially around Grodno.

[edit] Pronunciation guide

Belarusian follows its own style of cyrillic form of writing standing out from the rest of the Slavic alphabets. Below you'll find an example of Belarusian cyrillic alphabet.

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

[edit] Vowels

Аа 

like the 'a' in 'alone'

Ее 

like "ye" in "yet" or the "ie" in "miedo"

Ёё 

like "yo" in "yonder" or the "io" in "frio"

Ээ 

like "e" in "met"

Йй 

like "y" in "play" or "boy". It's a semivowel, and it is always combined with a full vowel.

Іі 

like "ee" in "see"

Оо 

like "o" in "open"

Уу 

like "oo" in "boot"

[edit] Consonants

Бб 

like "b" in "bit"

Вв 

like "v" in "vine"

Гг 

approx. like "h" in "how" [aspirated like the 'ck' in "brick"]

Ґґ 

like "g" in "go"

Дд 

like "d" in "do"

ДЖдж 

like "j" in "journey"

ДЗЬдзь 

approx. like "ds" in "raids"

Жж 

like "s" in "pleasure"

Зз 

like "z" in "zoo"

ЗЬзь 

soft palatalized sound in between "z" and "zh".

Кк 

like "k" in "kitten"

Лл 

like "l" in "lady"

ЛЬль 

soft "l" like "l" in "lemon"

Мм 

like "m" in "my"

Нн 

like "n" in "not" or like the "ny" in "canyon"

НЬнь 

like "n" in "near"

Пп 

like "p" in "pot"

Рр 

trilled "r" (similar to a Spanish "r")

Сс 

like "s" in "sun"

СЬсь 

soft palatalized sound in between "s" and "sh".

Тт 

like "t" in "tip"

Ўў 

like final "w" in "window"

Фф 

like "f" in "face"

Хх 

like "ch" in Scottish "loch"

Цц 

like "ts" in "cats"

ЦЬць 

soft palatalized sound in between "ts" and "ch".

Чч 

like the 'ch' in "chest"

Шш 

like "sh" in "shut"

Ыы 

like the 'y' in 'possibly'

Ьь 

silent

Юю 

like "u" in "duke"[iu]

Яя 

like "ya" in "yard" or the "ia" in "mia"

[edit] Diphthongs

ай 

like 'eye'

яй 

like saying 'ya' in "yard" and 'eye' [yah-ee]

ой 

like 'oy' in "boy" [oy]

ей 

like 'ye' in "yet" and 'ay' in "play" [yeh ee]

эй 

like 'ey' in "prey" [ey]

ый 

like 'i' in "Chris" and 'y' in "yes" similar to saying "possibly yes" [ee yeh]

уй 

like 'oo' in "good" and 'y' in "yet" [oo yeh]

юй 

like 'you' and 'y' in "play" [yoo ee]

аў 

like 'ou' in "out" [ah oo]

яў 

like saying 'ya' in "yard" and 'ou' in "out" [yah oo]

оў 

like the 'ow' in "grow" [oh oo]

еў 

like 'ye' in "yet" and 'wo' in "won't" [yeh woh]

эў 

like 'e' in 'end' and 'wo' in "won't" [eh woh]

[edit] Phrase list

[edit] Basics

Hello. 

Вітаю. (vee-TAH-you)

How are you? 

Як справы?? (yahk SPRAH-vy)

Fine, thank you. 

Добра, дзякуй . (DOH-brah, dzyah-KOO-ee)

What is your name? 

Як вас завуць? (yahk vahs ZAH-voots'?)

My name is ______. 

Мяне клічуць______ . (mianie klichuts'_____ .)

Nice to meet you. 

Прыемна пазнаёміцца. (priiemna paznaomitstsa)

Please. 

Калі ласка . (kah-lee LAHS-kah)

Thank you. 

Дзякую вам. (dziakuiu vam)

You're welcome! 

Няма за што! (niama za shto)

Yes. 

Так. (tak)

No. 

Не. (nyeh)

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

Даруйце. (daruitsye)

I'm sorry. 

Прабачце. (prabachtsie)

Goodbye 

Да пабачэньня. (da pabachen'nya)

I don't speak____. 

Я не размаўляю______. (ya nie razmailiaiu)

Do you speak English? 

Ці размаўляеце па-ангельску ? (tsi razmawliaietsie pa-anhiel'sku?)

Help! 

Дапамога! (dapamoha!)

Good day. 

Дабрыдзень. (dabrydzien)

Good morning. 

Добрай раніцы. (dobray ranitsy)

Good evening. 

Добры вечар. (dobry viechar)

Good night. 

Дабранач. (dabranach)

I don't understand anything. 

Я нічога не разумею. (ya nichoha nie razumieiu)

Where is the toilet? 

Дзе туалет? (dzyeh tualyet??)

[edit] Numbers

0 

нулъ (nul')

1 

адзiн (adzin)

2 

два (dva)

3 

тры (tri)

4 

чатыры (chatiri)

5 

пяцъ (piats')

6 

шэсцъ (shests')

7 

сем (siem)

8 

восем (vosiem)

9 

дзевяцъ (dzieviats')

10 

дзесяцъ (dziesiats')

11 

адзiнаццацъ (adzinatstsats')

12 

дванаццацъ (dvanatstsats')

13 

трынаццацъ (trynatstsats')

14 

чaтырнаццацъ (chatyrnatstsats')

15 

пятнаццацъ (piatnatstsats')

16 

шаснаццацъ (shasnatstsats')

17 

семнаццачъ (siemnatstsats')

18 

васемнаццацъ (vasiemnatstsats')

19 

дзевятнаццацъ (dzieviatnatstsats')

20 

дваццацъ (dvatstsats')

30 

трыццацъ (tritstsats')

40 

сорак (sorak)

50 

пяцъдзесят (piats'dziesiat)

60 

шэсцъдзесят (shests'dziesiats)

70 

семдзесят (semdziesiat)

80 

восемдзесят (vosiemdziesiat)

90 

дзевяноста (dzievianosta)

100 

сто (sto)

500 

пяцьсот (PYAHTS'soht)

1000 

тысяча (TY-syah-chah)

[edit] Days of the Week

NOTE 

The days from Monday to Sunday are written in Belarusian in lowercase letters and not like the English which are capitalize.

Monday 

панядзелак (paniaDZEIlak)

Tuesday 

аўторак (awTOrak)

Wednesday 

серада (sieraDA)

Thursday 

чацьвер (chatsVEIR)

Friday 

пятніца (PIATnitsa)

Saturday 

сyбота (suBOta)

Sunday 

нядзеля (niaDZEIlia)

[edit] Time

now 

цяпер (tsiaPIER)

today 

сёння (SIONnia)

tomorrow 

заўтра (ZAWtra)

yesterday 

учора (uCHOra)

day 

дзенъ (dzhien')

night 

ноч (noch)

midnight 

поўнач (POW-nahch)

in the afternoon 

папаўднi (papawDNI)

[edit] Months

NOTE 

The months in Belarusian are written in lowercase letters and not like the English which are capitalize.

January 

студзенъ (STUdzien')

February 

люты (LIUty)

March 

сакавiк (sakaVIK)

April 

красавiк (krasaVIK)

May 

май (mai)

June 

чэрвенъ (CHERvien')

July 

лiпенъ (LIpien')

August 

жнiвенъ (zhNIvien')

September 

верасенъ (VIErasien')

October 

кастрычнiк (kasTRYCHnik)

November 

лiстапад (listaPAD)

December 

снежанъ (SNIEzhan')

[edit] Seasons

summer 

лета (LYEH-tah)

spring 

вясна (vyahs-NAH)

autumn 

восень (VOH-syehn')

winter 

зіма (zee-MAH)

[edit] Colors

white 

белы (BYEH-ly)

black 

чорны (CHOHR-ny)

red 

чырвоны (chyr-VOH-ny)

yellow 

жоўты (ZHOW-ty)

blue 

сiнi (SEE-nee)

brown 

карычневы (kah-RY-chnyeh-vy)

gray 

шэры/сiвы (SHEH-ry/SEE-vy)

purple 

пурпурны/лiловы (poor-POOR-ny/lee-LOH-vy)

green 

зялёны (zyah-LYOH-ny)

pink 

ружовы (roo-ZHOH-vy)

[edit] Transportation

airplane/ airline 

самалёт (samaliOt)

taxi 

таксi (taksI)

train 

цягнiк (tsiagnIk)

trolley 

тралейбус (traliEibus)

tram 

трамвай (tramvAi)

bus 

аўтобус (awtObus)

car 

аўтамабiль (awtamabIl)

van 

фургон (foor-GOHN)

ferry 

паром (parOm)

ship, boat 

судна (sUdna)

helicopter 

верталёт (viertaliOt)

bicycle 

веласiпед (vielasipiEd)

motorcycle 

матацыкл (mah-tah-TSIH-kuhl)

[edit] Bus and train

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? 

Дзе гэты цягнік / аўтобус ехаць? (dze GEty tsiagNIK/ owTObus Ekats')

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

Дзе цягніком / аўтобусам да______? (dze tsiagNIkom/ owTObusam da____?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

Азначае Ці гэта цягнік / аўтобус спыніўся на_______? (azNAchae tsi GEta tsiagNIK/ owTObus spyniOWsia na_____?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

Калі цягнік / аўтобус для______водпуску? (KAH-lee tsyahg-NEEK/ ow-TOH-boos dlyah______vohd-POOS-koo?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

Калі гэты цягнік / аўтобус прыбудзе ў_____? (KAH-lee GEH-ty tsyahg-NEEK/ ow-TOH-boos pry-BOOD-zeh weh______?)

[edit] Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

Як дабрацца_____ ? (yahk dahb-RAH-tstsah____?)

...the train station? 

...жалезна-дарожная станцыя? (zhah-LEHZ-nah dah-ROHZH-naia stahn-TSYAH?)

...the bus station? 

...аўтобусная станцыя? (ow-toh-BOOS-naia stahn-TSYAH?)

...the airport? 

...аэрапорта? (ae-rah-POHR-tah?)

...downtown? 

...у цэнтры гораду? (oo tsehn-TRY goh-RAH-doo?)

...the youth hostel? 

...моладзевы гатэль? (MOH-lahd-zehvy GAH-tehl')

...the _____ hotel? 

..._____гатэль? (GAH-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... 

Куды там шмат... (kood' tahm shmaht)

...hotels? 

...Гасцініцы? (GAHS-tsih-nihtsy?)

...restaurants? 

...Рэстараны? (REHS-tah-rah-ny?)

...bars? 

...Бары? (bah-ry?)

...sites to see? 

...Сайты ўбачыць? (SAI-ty WEH-bachyts')

Can you show me on the map? 

Ці можаце вы паказаць мне на карце? (tsee moh-ZHAH-tsyeh 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 

Ўсход (ows-KHOHD)

west 

захад (ZAH-khahd)

uphill 

горы (GOH-ry)

downhill 

ўніз па схіле. (ow-NEEZ pah SKH-lyeh)

[edit] Taxi

Taxi! 

таксі! (TAHK-see)

Take me to _____, please. 

Вазьмі мяне_____, калі ласка. (VAHS'mee MYAH-neh_____,KAH-lee LAHS-kah)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

Колькі гэта будзе каштаваць, каб дабрацца_____? (KOHL'-kee geh-TAH BOOD-zeh kahsh-TAH-vahts' kahb dah-BRAH-tsah_____?)

Take me there, please. 

Вазьмеце мяне, калі ласка. (vahz'MEH-tseh MYAH-neh, KAH-lee LAHS-kah)

[edit] Lodging

hotel/inn 

гасцiннасць (gah-TSIHN-nihts')

Do you have any rooms? 

Ці ёсць 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-tooie pah-KOY nah ahd-NAH-goh chah-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chah-LAH-vyehk?)

Does the room come with... 

Ці ў пакой прыйшоў з ... (tsih oo pah-KOY pry-ee-SHOW zuh...)

...bedsheets? 

...прасціны? (prahs-TSIH-ny)

...a bathroom? 

...Ванна? (VAH-nyah)

...a telephone? 

...тэлефон? (teh-LYEH-fohn)

...a TV? 

...Тэлебачанне? (teh-lyeh-bah-CHAHN-nyeh?)

May I see the room first? 

Ці магу я бачыць у пакоі ў першую чаргу? (tsih MAH-goo yah BAH-sheets' oo PAH-koy wah pehr-SHOO-iu CHAHR-goo?)

Do you have anything quieter? 

У вас ёсць усе цішэй? (oo vahs yohsts' OO-syeh TSIH-sheh-ee?)

...bigger? 

...больше? (BOHL'sheh?)

...cleaner? 

...Чыстае? (CHYS-tah-eh)

...cheaper? 

...танней? (TAHN-nehy?)

OK, I'll take it. 

Добра, я вазьму яго. (DOH-brah, yah VAHS'-moo YAH-goh)

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. 

Please clean my room. (...)

Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (...)

I want to check out. 

I want to check out. (...)

[edit] Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...)

Do you accept British pounds? 

Do you accept British pounds? (...)

Do you accept credit cards? 

Do you accept credit cards? (...)

Can you change money for me? 

Can you change money for me? (...)

Where can I get money changed? 

Where can I get money changed? (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)

What is the exchange rate? 

What is the exchange rate? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (...)

[edit] Eating

[edit] Bars

[edit] Shopping

[edit] Driving

[edit] Authority