Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "if" in Russian

This Russian word is one of the top 1000 words in Russian. The complete list of most common Russian words is available here.

если

Meaning: if

Pronunciation: [YEHS-lee]

Part of speech: conjunction

Rank: #55 (see frequency list)

Example sentences:

Если он будет что-либо спрашивать ― отвечайте.
Please, reply if he will be asking anything.
Остава́йся, е́сли хо́чешь.
Stay if [you] want.
А если он будет еще спать в семь?
What if he'll still be sleeping at 7:00?
Если бы не она́, е́сли бы не ее прису́тствие в мое́й жи́зни, мне мно́гого не удало́сь бы сде́лать.
If it were not for her [as a person], if it were not for her presence, I wouldn't be able to achieve much.
Футбо́л зако́нчится нулево́й ничье́й, е́сли то́лько не случи́тся чу́до.
Provided the miracle happens, the soccer [match] will end in a draw.
Сколько вы получаете, если не секрет?
How much [money] do you make, if not a secret?
Вы правы, если память мне не изменяет.
You are right, if my memory does not fail me.

Idioms and set expressions:

Что если? = What if?
если и = even if
если только = provided
если бы не... = if it were not for...; were it not for...
О, если... = Oh, if only...
если не = unless, if not...

Proverbs and sayings:

Eсли бы да кабы.
If ifs and ans were pots and pans.

Phrase recordings: Copyright(c) 2011 MasterRussian.com. All rights reserved.
Word recordings: Copyright(c) 2006 Streit Goulnara, Streit Eric, Vion Nicolas. Copyright(c) 2007 S. Sakhno, N. Vion. Distributed under CC-BY.

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