Addressing People in Russian

Olga Jarrell
3 days ago
4 min read

How do Russians address each other in different situations?

Russian has a wide range of forms of address, and choosing the right one depends on age, social context, level of formality, and personal relationships. In this post, you’ll find an overview of the most common ways to address people in Russian — from using a first name and patronymic in formal situations to the affectionate forms used with family members and romantic partners. The examples will help you understand when and how each form is appropriate in real conversation.

First Name + Patronymic

First name + patronymic is a common way to address adult people in formal communication. It can also be used in respectful personal relationships.

Александр Сергеевич, что случилось?Alexander Sergeevich, what happened?
Мария Ивановна, как вы себя чувствуете? Maria Ivanovna, how are you feeling?

First Name

First name alone is used in informal situations, among friends, family, or peers.

Привет, Анна! Hi, Anna!
Иван, можешь помочь мне с проектом? Ivan, can you help me with the project?

Titles + Last Name

Titles (господин, госпожа) are used with last names in formal settings to show respect.

Господин Иванов, можно задать вам вопрос? Mr. Ivanov, may I ask you a question?

Professions + Last Name

Professions like профессор, доктор are used with last names when addressing someone in academia (профессор) or medical contexts (доктор).

Профессор Иванов, расскажите о своём исследовании. Professor Ivanov, tell us about your research.
Доктор Смирнов, какой диагноз вы ставите этому пациенту? Dr. Smirnov, what diagnosis are you giving this patient?

Professions

Professions such as учитель, преподаватель, переводчик, дизайнер, директор, полицейский are not used as forms of address in Russian.

❌ Учитель, можно задать вопрос? Teacher, may I ask a question?
❌ Переводчик, помогите мне! Translator, help me!

Last Names Alone

In modern Russian, using last names alone as a form of address is rare and usually limited to specific contexts:

✅ Military and sports

Last names are commonly used among soldiers, athletes, and coaches.

Иванов, подойди сюда! Ivanov, come here!

✅ Schools (Soviet-Era and some modern schools)

Teachers or peers may address students this way, though it is less common today.

Петров, тебе всё понятно? Petrov, do you understand everything?

Colleague (Коллега)

Коллега (Colleague) is used in neutral professional settings to address someone with whom you work. It is not a form of address that you would use in a casual or informal conversation.

Коллега, у нас есть новое задание. Colleague, we have a new assignment.

Forms of Address for Unknown People

Девушка (young lady) and молодой человек (young man) are used to address unknown people in polite contexts, typically to get their attention. These are formal or neutral ways to address someone you don’t know well or to politely start a conversation.

✅ Девушка is used when addressing a woman you don’t know well, often in public settings.

✅ Молодой человек is used when addressing a man you don’t know well or as a polite form to address a young man.

Девушка, как доехать до Невского проспекта? Miss, how do I get to Nevsky Prospect?
Молодой человек, вы не подскажете, где здесь библиотека? Young man, could you tell me where the library is?

Rare Forms of Address for Adults

Женщина (Woman) and Мужчина (Man) are very rarely used as forms of address. They are used mostly in very formal or awkward situations, but are not common in polite or respectful interactions.

❌ Женщина, подойдите сюда. Ma’am, come here.
❌ Мужчина, помогите мне. Sir, please help me.

Forms of Address for Children

You might hear Дяденька (Uncle), Тётенька (Aunt), Бабушка (Grandmother), or Дедушка (Grandfather) used by small children as forms to address unknown people.

Дяденька, вы не могли бы помочь мне? Uncle, could you help me?
Тётенька, вы не видели мою маму? Auntie, have you seen my mom?

Forms of Address Among Family Members

✅ Family roles

As a rule, family members address each other by their family roles: мама, папа, дочь, сын, бабушка, дедушка. There are quite a few diminutives for family members used as forms of address: мамочка, мамуля, мам, папочка, дочка, доченька, сынок, дедуля, бабуля, etc.

Мама, где мой рюкзак? Mom, where is my backpack?
Сынок, помоги мне, пожалуйста. Sonny, help me, please.
Доченька, как прошёл день? Sweetheart (daughter), how was your day?
Бабулечка, тебе чай сделать? Grandma dear, should I make you some tea?

✅ Names

Parents and grandparents often address their children and grandchildren by their names.

Катя, пора ужинать. Katya, it’s time for dinner.
Миша, иди домой. Misha, come home.

✅ Diminutives for Siblings

The words брат and сестра are not commonly used as forms of address. However, their diminutive forms are common: сестричка, братишка, сестрёнка, братец.

Сестричка, подожди меня! Sis, wait for me!
Ну что, братишка, сыграем? Well, bro, shall we play?

✅ Family roles + Names

Those are very common forms for aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Бабушка Зина, ты устала? Grandma Zina, are you tired?
Дядя Володя, можно вопрос? Uncle Volodya, may I ask a question?
Тётя Лена, мы уже приехали. Aunt Lena, we’ve already arrived.

Forms of Address in Romantic Relationships

✅ Дорогой / Дорогая (Dear, darling)

Used as an affectionate form of address between romantic partners.

Дорогая, как ты сегодня? Dear, how are you today?
Спасибо, дорогой, всё хорошо. Thank you darling, all is good.

✅ Милый / Милая (Sweetheart)

Another affectionate form used between lovers.

Милая, ты как всегда прекрасна! Sweetheart, you look beautiful as always!

✅ Любовь моя (My love)

A more intimate form of address used to express deep affection.

Любовь моя, ты дома? My love, are you home?

✅ Зайка / Зая (bunny), котик, малыш, малышка (baby)

A cute, informal nickname often used for a partner.

Зайка, ты уже ужинал? Bunny, have you had dinner?

The information in this post comes from the author’s personal experience and publicly available sources.