When you visit another country, for example, Russia, it is better to have a basic vocabulary to make your communication with the locals easier. There are many ways to improve your Russian. Once I heard a story about an American woman whose husband, a Belorussian Jew, emigrated from the USSR long ago. So, she learned a single phrase "SKOL'-ko STO-it E-ta gav-NOU?" what means "What is the price of this shit?". When she was visiting her in-laws she realised it was quite enough.
Of course, some Ivy League's graduates may disagree. Well, especially for them I would like to present my own version of the essential Russian. What a pity, I can't apply for a patent! The point is I'd constructed this dictionary on behalf of my Canadian friend during our visit to Taejon, where my Russian friends live. So, these phrases and words are shown below "in the order of appearance". Here is no spelling for Russian words and phrases because we use Cyrillic, but I try to teach you how to pronounce it. Syllables written in capital letters to be emphasized.
HELLO! - pri-VET!
THANK YOU! - spa-SEE-bou!
PLEASE - pa-JA-lui-sta
CHEERS - na zda-ROU-vye (*)
ASSHOLE WITH EARS - JOU-pa s oo-SHA-mi
GOOD-BYE! - da svee-DA-nya!
BEER - PEE-va
FUCK YOU! - pa-shol NA hooy! (**)
I WANT TO SLEEP - yea ha-choo SPAT
GOOD MORNING! - DO-bra-ye OOT-ra!
HOW DO YOU DO? - kak dee-LAR?
GOOD! - ha-ra-SHO!
(*) There are no proper "cheers" in Russian. On of the most common tosts presented hereabove. It means "For [our] health!"
(**) WARNING! Russian swear generally more rude and dirty compare to English and often considers as hooliganism. Don't use this phrase ("Go prick!" literally) in these presence of ladies, minors and policemen!