How to Say Where You're From - Examples and Variations

Learn how to say where you're from

Also Appears In: Can Introduce Yourself Level 1.1 Can Do Russian Can Do Russian for Absolute Beginners

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Lesson Notes

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Lesson Transcript

Let's look at some examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speakers.

Я из Нью-Йорка. (Ya iz N'yu-Yorka.)

Я из Норильска. А вы? (Ya iz Noril'ska. A vy?)

Я из Сиэтла. (Ya iz Sietla.)

Я из Лондона. А ты? (Ya iz Londona. A ty?)

Я из России. (Ya iz Rossii.)

Я австралийка. (Ya avstraliyka.)

Did you notice how the last speaker uses a different pattern?

Я австралийка. (Ya avstraliyka.) “I [am] Australian.” Я австралийка.

First is я (ya), "I." Я.

Next is австралийка (avstraliyka), an “Australian,” woman. австралийка (avstraliyka), австралийка (avstraliyka).

In Russian, all nouns have grammatical gender and are either singular or plural.

In Mia Martin’s case, she uses a feminine noun, австралийка (avstraliyka), to identify herself.

This pattern is

Я NATIONALITY. (Ya {NATIONALITY}.)

"I am NATIONALITY."

To use this pattern, simply replace the NATIONALITY placeholder with your nationality.

Note: This pattern requires a noun, and its gender will depend on the gender of the speaker.

Recall Mia Martin uses a feminine singular noun, австралийка (avstraliyka).

A male speaker from Australia would use a masculine singular noun, австралиец (avstraliets).

Я австралиец. (Ya avstraliets.) “I’m Australian.” Я австралиец.

You can use this response to answer the question, Вы откуда? (Vy otkuda?)

You should be aware of this pattern, but you won’t need it for this lesson.

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