Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "in" 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.

во

Meaning: in, at, to, exactly

Pronunciation: [voh]

Part of speech: preposition

Rank: #83 (see frequency list)

He's been to France recently.
Photo by RussBowling CC-BY-2.0

Example sentences:

Недáвно он был во Фрáнции.
He's been to France recently.
Cкóлько стóит обучéние во францу́зском университéте?
How much does a degree in a French university cost?
Когдá началácь войнá во Вьетнáме?
When did the war in Vietnam start?
Во мне совсéм нет агрéccии.
I don't feel any agression at all.
literal In me there's no agression at all.
Внезáпно гóрод погрузи́лся во тьму́.
Suddenly the city immersed into darkness.
Он интересовáлся жи́знью во всех еë рáкурсах.
He was interested in all aspects of life.
literal He was interested in life in all its aspects.
У вас неприя́тное ощущéние во рту?
Do you have an unpleasant sensation in the mouth?
Нéкоторые учëные ду́мают, что мы не одни́ во Вселéнной.
Some scientists think that we're not alone in the Universe.
Во, отли́чное плáтье, тебé идëт!
Wow, it's a cool dress, it looks good on you. (note: particle, not a preposition)
Во-во! Тóчно ненормáльный!
Exactly! He's really crazy! (note: particle, not a preposition)
Пáша - прекрácный пáрень, во!
Pasha is a wonderful guy, he's cool! (note: particle, not a preposition)
Во, я так и думал.
Exactly, that's what I though. (note: particle, not a preposition)

Idioms and set expressions:

во! = cool, super
во-во! = exactly
во = here
во даëт! = isn't that super!
пусти́ться во все тя́жкие = cast prudence to the winds
literal plunge into all the grave
во всех уголкáх ми́ра = everywhere
literal in all the corners of the world

Related words:

в = in, at
вот = here, exactly

Proverbs and sayings:

Во вся́ком мудрецé довóльно простоты́.
In each wiseman there is enough simplicity.
Во сне ви́дел, а наяву́ прозевáл.
I saw it in a dream, but I lost it in reality.
Во хмелю́ что хошь намелю́, а просну́сь - отопру́сь.
When I am drunk I can say whatever I want, but when I wake up, I will deny it.

Vocabulary lesson: By Russificate blog exclusively for MasterRussian

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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