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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ru-please-and-welcome

Which single Russian word means both 'please' and 'you're welcome'?

Пожалуйста (pozhaluysta) covers please and you're welcome.

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  1. Спасибо (spasibo)
  2. Извините (izvinite)
  3. Пожалуйста (pozhaluysta) ✔

Why: Пожалуйста is a hard-working word. You use it to ask politely, to answer a thank-you, and when you hand something over. Спасибо is thanks, and извините is excuse me.

Huh, didn't know that: Пожалуйста can also mean 'here you are' when you pass something to someone.

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Pozhaluysta is the Swiss army knife of Russian manners.
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References

Answer: Пожалуйста (pozhaluysta). Пожалуйста is a hard-working word. You use it to ask politely, to answer a thank-you, and when you hand something over. Спасибо is thanks, and извините is excuse me.

  1. Wiktionary: пожалуйста en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B9%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0
    please; you're welcome, not at all, don't mention it
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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