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A2How to saybystréye

How to say “Hurry up!” in Russian

How to rush someone in Russian without sounding rude — and how to tell them not to rush.

Quick answer

Быстре́е!

bystréye — plus поторопи́сь and не спеши́ for the opposite

The options

Быстре́е!Faster!
Поторопи́сь!Hurry up! — informal
Поторопи́тесь, пожа́луйста.Please hurry. — polite
Мы опа́здываем.We’re running late.
Нам пора́.It’s time for us to go.

Softer is better

A bare Быстре́е! is for children and emergencies. With adults, name the reason instead: Мы опа́здываем or Нам пора́. Russians rush each other with facts rather than commands.

The opposite

Не спеши́ / не спеши́те — don’t rush. Споко́йно — take it easy. У нас есть вре́мя — we have time. All four are common and all four are kinder than their English equivalents sound.

What you hear back

Иду́!Coming!
Одну́ мину́ту!One minute!
Я почти́ гото́в / гото́ва.I’m almost ready.
Да, да, иду́.Yes, yes, I’m coming.

Typical mistakes

Быстро!

Быстре́е!

The comparative is what you want: “faster”.

Поторопи́сь — to a stranger

Поторопи́тесь, пожа́луйста.

Use the polite form and add пожа́луйста.

Check yourself

Which is the kindest way to hurry an adult?

Name the reason instead of giving an order.

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