Belarusian, a Slavic language, is spoken in Belarus and by the Belarusian diaspora. It shares similarities with Russian and Ukrainian but has its unique characteristics and vocabulary. This lesson covers essential phrases and questions in Belarusian for various conversational contexts, complete with transliterations to aid pronunciation.

Greetings

• Hello – “Прывітанне” (Pryvitannie)
• Good morning – “Добрай раніцы” (Dobray ranitsy)
• Good afternoon – “Добры дзень” (Dobry dzień)
• Good evening – “Добры вечар” (Dobry vecher)
• How are you? (informal/formal) – “Як ты?” (Yak ty?) / “Як вы?” (Yak vy?)
• I’m fine, thank you. And you? – “Добра, дзякуй. А ты? / А вы?” (Dobra, dziakuй. A ty? / A vy?)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Мяне клічуць [імя].” (Myane klichuts’ [imya].)
• This is [name]. – “Гэта [імя].” (Heta [imya].)
• I am from [country]. – “Я з [краіны].” (Ya z [kraіny].)
• I live in [city/place]. – “Я жыву ў [горадзе/месцы].” (Ya zhyvu u [horadze/mestsy].)

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “Дзе знаходзіцца [мясціна]?” (Dze znakhodzіtsa [myastsіna]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Як дабрацца да [мясціны]?” (Yak dabratsa da [myastsіny]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “Гэта дарога да [мясціны]?” (Heta daroha da [myastsіny]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “Вы можаце паказаць мне на карце?” (Vy mozhatse pakazats’ mne na kartsе?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Прабачце, я не разумею.” (Prabachtsе, ya nе razumeyu.)
• Can you please repeat that? – “Вы можаце паўтарыць гэта?” (Vy mozhatse paўtaryts’ heta?)
• I mean… – “Я маю на ўвазе…” (Ya mayu na ўvazе…)
• What does [word] mean? – “Што азначае [слова]?” (Shto aznachae [slova]?)

Farewell Expressions

• Goodbye – “Да пабачэння” (Da pabachennya)
• See you later – “Да сустрэчы” (Da sustrэchy)
• Take care – “Беражы сябе” (Berazhy syabе)
• Have a good day – “Добрага дня” (Dobraga dnya)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Я хацеў бы забраніраваць пакой.” (Ya khatsеў by zabranіravats’ pakoy.)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “Магу я паглядзець меню, калі ласка?” (Magu ya paglyadzets’ menyу, kalі laska?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Я вегетарыянец.” (Ya vegetaryyanets.)
• The bill, please. – “Рахунак, калі ласка.” (Rakhunak, kalі laska.)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Колькі гэта каштуе?” (Kolkі heta kashtuе?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “У вас ёсць гэта ў іншым памеры?” (U vas yosts’ heta ў іnshym pamеry?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Я проста гляджу, дзякуй.” (Ya prosta glyadzhu, dziakuй.)
• Can I pay by card? – “Магу я заплаціць карткай?” (Magu ya zaplatsіts’ kartkay?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. – “Ты выглядаеш прыгожа.” (Ty vyglyadaesh pryhozha.)
• I miss you. – “Я сумую па табе.” (Ya sumuyu pa tabе.)
• I love you. – “Я цябе кахаю.” (Ya tsiabе kahayu.)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Ці не хацела б ты сысці са мной?” (Tsі nе khatsela b ty sysці sa mnoй?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Дапамагіце!” (Dapamahіtsе!)
• Call the police! – “Выклічце паліцыю!” (Vyklіchtsyе palіtsyю!)
• I need a doctor. – “Мне патрэбен доктар.” (Mnе patrеbеn doktar.)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Дзе бліжэйшая бальніца?” (Dzе blіzheyshaya bal’nіtsa?)

Learning Belarusian is an enriching experience that opens up the rich cultural heritage of Belarus. Practice these phrases regularly, listen to native speakers, and immerse yourself in the language through media and literature for the best learning outcomes. Engage with language learning apps, online courses, or language exchange partners to enhance your proficiency in Belarusian.