Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "who" 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.

кто

Meaning: who, that, some, someone, anyone

Pronunciation: [ktoh]

Part of speech: pronoun

Rank: #47 (see frequency list)

Example sentences:

Кто э́то?
Who is this?
Кто хо́чет стать миллионе́ром?
Who wants to become a millionaire.
Кто там?
Who's there?
Я зна́ю, кто э́та де́вушка.
I know who this girl is.
Я не зна́ю, есть ли там кто.
I don't know if there's someone there.
Кто рабо́тает, а кто отдыха́ет.
Some people work, while some people rest.
Кого́ ты ждёшь?
Who are you waiting for? (informal)
Кому́ помо́чь?
Anybody needs my help?
literal Whom to help to?
Кому́ интере́сно, а кому́ нет.
Some are interested, and some are not.
Это ни для кого́ не секре́т.
This is not a secret for anyone.
О ком ты ду́маешь?
Who are you thinking about? (informal)
Кем ты хо́чешь быть?
Who do you want to be? (informal)

Idioms and set expressions:

Кто кого́? = Who will win?
literal Who whom?
кто где = some here, some there; scattered
literal who where
кто как = in various ways
literal who how
Мало кто знает... = Few people know...
literal Few who know...
Кто тако́й? = Who's that?; Who is he?
literal Who such?
Кто знает? = There is no telling; Who knows?

Proverbs and sayings:

Кто не работает, тот не ест.
He who does not work, shall not eat.
Кому пироги и пышки, кому синяки и шишки.
Some get the buns and pies and some the bumpes and black eyes.
Кто в лес, кто по дрова.
All at sixes and sevens.
literal Some to the woods, some for firewood.
Хорошо смеётся тот, кто смеётся последним.
He laughs best who laughs last.
С кем поведёшься, от того и наберёшься.
He that lives with cripples learns to limp.
literal From anyone you are in contact you will ever accept something.
Кто рано встаёт, тому Бог подаёт.
It's the early bird that catches the worm.
literal God gives to those who get up early.

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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