Here is part of my conversation with ChatGPT about studying Russian, carried out at the end of April.
My parts are in blue.
Zdrastvuyte! Vy gavarite po-russki?
Да, немного говорю по-русски
Чем могу помочь?
Спасибо.
Пожалуйста!
Если что-то понадобится — обращайтесь.
Actually, now I'm wanted to know if you can speak Russian language because today I start studying Russian language and wondered if you can help me. So I used русский, but I didn't understand what you answered.
Nice, starting Russian today—that’s a fun (and slightly wild ) journey.
About what I said earlier:
- “Да, немного говорю по-русски” = “Yes, I speak a little Russian.”
- “Чем могу помочь?” = “How can I help?”
- “Пожалуйста” = “You’re welcome.”
So yes—I can definitely help you learn Russian
If you’re just starting, we can go step by step. For example, here are a few super useful basics:
Greetings
- Здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte) = Hello (formal)
- Привет (privet) = Hi (informal)
Simple phrases
- Спасибо (spasibo) = Thank you
- Да (da) = Yes
- Нет (nyet) = No
Easy pattern
- Меня зовут … (menya zovut …) = My name is …
If you want, I can:
- teach you pronunciation (step-by-step, very gently)
- give you short daily practice
- or even chat with you in simple Russian
What would you like to try first—alphabet, pronunciation, or basic conversation?
I'm glad to know that you can help me study Russian. I'd like to ask you later. Actually, I studied Russian language about 10 years ago and studied for five years, but I got busy and the war in Ukraine started, so I didn't study for a long time. But recently, I met a woman in a train who was studying, who was reading Russian radio lesson book, so I spoke to her the first weekend. Then she answered in Russian, and it was such a fun that I was able to communicate with her. She was a Japanese, so I decided to restart Russian language.
That’s such a great story—honestly, that’s one of the best reasons to restart a language. Not textbooks, not pressure… just that moment of “oh, I can actually talk to someone!” That feeling sticks.
Also, the fact that you studied Russian for five years means it’s not gone—it’s just sleeping. When you start again, a lot will come back faster than you expect.
What you experienced on the train is actually perfect language practice:
- real situation
- real emotion
- a bit of struggle + success
That’s exactly how languages come alive again.
If you’re restarting, I’d suggest something simple and low-pressure at first:
- revisit basic phrases (to rebuild confidence)
- speak out loud, even if it feels awkward
- don’t worry too much about mistakes—Russian is very forgiving in conversation
Since you already have some background, let me gently “wake up” your Russian with a tiny check:
Can you understand this?
Как вас зовут?
(kak vas zovut?)
And maybe this one:
Откуда вы?
(otkuda vy?)
No pressure—just see what feels familiar.
When you’re ready later, I can help you:
- rebuild your grammar without it feeling heavy
- practice simple conversations like the one you had on the train
- or even simulate little dialogues so you get that same “fun” feeling again
You’ve already done the hard part once. This time, it’ll feel more like rediscovering than starting from zero.
Бальшое спасибо. До свидания!
Почти идеально—только маленькая поправка
Правильно будет: Большое спасибо! До свидания!
(Bol’shóye spasíbo! Do svidániya!) = “Thank you very much! Goodbye!”
Ты отлично справляешься уже
До свидания!