How to Say "Where Is" in Russian

To ask "where is...?" in Russian you only need one short word: где (gde). Russian has no separate word for "is" here, so где туалет? is literally "where toilet?" - and it works perfectly.

In Russian

где...?

gde...? - where is...?

Variants & registers

где находится...?gde nakhóditsya?
where is ... located? - a touch more formal
formal
где туалет?gde tualét?
where is the toilet? - the essential one
neutral
как пройти к...?kak proytí k?
how do I get to...?
neutral
где ближайший...?gde blizháyshiy?
where is the nearest...?
neutral

Breakdown & pronunciation

Word by word

гдеgde
where

Pronunciation

Say gdye - a single syllable that starts with a g+d cluster English does not have. Do not insert a vowel between them; glide straight from g to dye.

Example sentences

Извините, где метро?
Izviníte, gde metró?
Excuse me, where is the metro?
Где туалет?
Gde tualét?
Where is the toilet?
Где находится вокзал?
Gde nakhóditsya vokzál?
Where is the train station?
Где можно купить билет?
Gde mózhno kupít bilét?
Where can I buy a ticket?

Usage & etiquette

Russian drops the verb "to be" in the present, so you never translate "is": где банк? is literally "where bank?" and means "where is the bank?". Just put где in front of the thing you are looking for.

Start with извините ("excuse me") to ask politely, and use где находится...? for a slightly more formal "where is ... located?". For directions, как пройти к...? asks "how do I get to ...?".

Practice

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FAQ

How do you say "where is" in Russian?

Use где (gde). Russian has no separate word for "is", so где туалет? means "where is the toilet?", literally "where toilet?".

How do you ask "where is the toilet" in Russian?

Say где туалет? (gde tualét). To be polite, start with извините (izviníte) - "excuse me, where is the toilet?".

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