RUS ISO 639-3
Russian
русский язык (russkij jazyk) Autonym
A language of Russian Federation
- ISO 639
- rus
- Autonym
- русский язык (russkij jazyk)
- Population
- 138,000,000 in Russian Federation (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 119,000,000 (Arefyev 2012). Total users in all countries: 258,177,060 (as L1: 154,042,490; as L2: 104,079,570).
- Language Status
- 1 (National). Statutory national language (1993, Constitution, Article 68(1)). Provincially recognized language in Dagestan Autonomous Republic (1994, Constitution of Dagestan Autonomous Republic, Article 10).
- Classification
- Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
- Dialects
- North Russian, South Russian.
- Typology
- SVO; prepositions; genitives after noun heads; adjectives, numerals before noun heads; question word initial; 1 prefix on a word; recursive addition of suffixes allowed; gender (masculine/feminine/neuter); no articles; case-marking (6 cases); verb affixes mark person, number; passives; tense and aspect; comparatives; 32 consonants, 5 vowels, 4 diphthongs; non-tonal; free stress.
- Language Development
- Fully developed. Bible: 1876–2011.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Russian
- Writing
- Braille script [Brai]. Cyrillic script [Cyrl], primary usage.
- Other Comments
- Christian.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. For historical and political reasons, Russian is by far the most widely spoken language in Armenia after Armenian [hye]. In the 1990s, Russian lost its status as the second mother-tongue and was classified as a foreign language. View other languages of Armenia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,613,500 in Armenia, all users. L1 users: 23,500 in Armenia (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 1,590,000 (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Argentina
Language Name
Russian
User Population
31,000 in Argentina (2018). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Austria
Language Name
Russian
User Population
150,000 in Austria (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 40,000 (European Commission 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Australia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
120,000 in Australia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 50,300 (2016 census).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Azerbaijan
Language Name
Russian
User Population
4,882,000 in Azerbaijan, all users. L1 users: 122,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 4,760,000 (Arefyev 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Belgium
Language Name
Russian
User Population
62,100 in Belgium (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Bulgaria
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,675,800 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 15,800 in Bulgaria (2011 census). L2 users: 1,660,000 (European Commission 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Brazil
Language Name
Russian
User Population
143,000 in Brazil (2021 Joshua Project). , based on ethnicity.
- Language Status
- 1 (National) View other languages of Belarus
Language Name
Russian
User Population
6,978,000 in Belarus, all users. L1 users: 6,670,000 in Belarus (2011 census). Russian [rus] is spoken by most of the population in Belarus as their L1. L2 users: 308,000 (Arefyev 2012). Ethnic population: 785,000 (2009 census).
- Location
- British Columbia province: Kootenay district; western Canada.
- Dialects
- Doukhobour Russian.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Canada
Language Name
Russian
User Population
530,000 in Canada (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 188,000 (2011 census).
- Location
- Heilongjiang province: Heihe; Nei Mongol Autonomous Region: E’erguna Enhe Russian autonomous district, Hulunbeier banner; Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: Changji, Karamay (Kelamayi), Tacheng, and Urumqi; Yili prefecture, Yi’ning.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Christian. View other languages of China
Language Name
Russian
User Population
700,000 in China (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 2,940 (Shearer and Sun 2002). Ethnic population: 15,400 (2010 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Cyprus
Language Name
Russian
User Population
50,000 in Cyprus (2019 IMB).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Czechia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
2,000,000 in Czechia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 31,600 (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Germany
Language Name
Russian
User Population
5,400,000 in Germany (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 263,000 (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Denmark
Language Name
Russian
User Population
11,000 in Denmark (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 6,380 (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Estonia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,118,000 in Estonia, all users. L1 users: 383,000 in Estonia (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 735,000 (European Commission 2012). Ethnic population: 321,000 (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Spain
Language Name
Russian
User Population
78,900 in Spain (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Finland
Language Name
Russian
User Population
70,000 in Finland (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 79,200 (2018 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of United Kingdom
Language Name
Russian
User Population
300,000 in United Kingdom (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 69,000 (2011 census). England and Wales 67,400, Northern Ireland 1,210.
- Location
- Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and T’bilisi regions.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication) View other languages of Georgia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
2,376,200 in Georgia, all users. L1 users: 46,200 in Georgia (2016). L2 users: 2,330,000 (Arefyev 2012).
- Location
- Kavala.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Greece
Language Name
Russian
User Population
210,000 in Greece (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 85,000 (European Commission 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Croatia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
51,590 in Croatia, all users. L1 users: 1,590 in Croatia (2011 census). L2 users: 50,000 (Arefyev 2012). Ethnic population: 1,280 (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Hungary
Language Name
Russian
User Population
200,000 in Hungary (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 7,380 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 6,170 (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Ireland
Language Name
Russian
User Population
25,000 in Ireland (Arefyev 2012), all users.
- Location
- Hefa, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv districts: Haifa, Jerusalem.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Jewish. View other languages of Israel
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,000,000 in Israel (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 464,000 (Leclerc 2018a).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Italy
Language Name
Russian
User Population
127,000 in Italy (2012 census).
- Location
- Ysyk-Kol region: Lake Ysyk Kol area; widespread.
- Language Status
- 1 (National)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Christian. View other languages of Kyrgyzstan
Language Name
Russian
User Population
2,868,000 in Kyrgyzstan, all users. L1 users: 568,000 in Kyrgyzstan (2018). L2 users: 2,300,000 (Arefyev 2012). Ethnic population: 420,000 (2009 census).
- Location
- Akmola, East Kazakhstan, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and West Kazakhstan regions.
- Language Status
- 1 (National) View other languages of Kazakhstan
Language Name
Russian
User Population
16,800,000 in Kazakhstan (2009 World Factbook), all users. L1 users: 3,750,000 (2009 census). Ethnic population: 3,790,000 (2009 census).
- Location
- Kauno county: Jonava municipality; Klaipedos county: Klaipeda City municipality; Utenos county: Ingalina, Visaginas, and Zarasai municipalities; Vilniaus county: Elektrenai, Švenčionys, Trakai, Vilnius, and Vilnius City municipalities, Naujamiestis and Senamiestis neighborhoods.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Christian. View other languages of Lithuania
Language Name
Russian
User Population
2,460,000 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 140,000 in Lithuania (2015 census). , based on nationality. L2 users: 2,320,000 (European Commission 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Luxembourg
Language Name
Russian
User Population
4,500 in Luxembourg (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 1,510 (2011 census).
- Location
- Major cities.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Christian, Jewish. View other languages of Latvia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,775,000 in Latvia, all users. L1 users: 485,000 in Latvia (2018 World Factbook). L2 users: 1,290,000 (European Commission 2012).
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Moldova
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,714,000 in Moldova, all users. L1 users: 264,000 in Moldova (2014 census). L2 users: 1,450,000 (Arefyev 2012). Ethnic population: 112,000 (2014 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Montenegro
Language Name
Russian
User Population
150,030 in Montenegro, all users. L1 users: 1,030 in Montenegro (2011 census). L2 users: 149,000 (Arefyev 2012).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. ‘Mectny Oros’, permanent Russian residents. Widely taught in schools and higher education. View other languages of Mongolia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,200,300 in Mongolia, all users. L1 users: 5,300 in Mongolia (2016). L2 users: 1,195,000 (Arefyev 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Netherlands
Language Name
Russian
User Population
5,200 in Netherlands (2019).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Norway
Language Name
Russian
User Population
22,600 in Norway (2021 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of New Zealand
Language Name
Russian
User Population
9,430 in New Zealand (2013 census).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Poland
Language Name
Russian
User Population
6,941,900 in Poland, all users. L1 users: 21,900 in Poland (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 6,920,000 (European Commission 2012).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Portugal
Language Name
Russian
User Population
5,110 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).
- Location
- Constanta, Suceava, and Tulcea counties.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Romania
Language Name
Russian
User Population
150,000 in Romania (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 18,900 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 23,500 (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Serbia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,400,000 in Serbia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 3,180 (2013 UNSD).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Sweden
Language Name
Russian
User Population
100,000 in Sweden (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 7,860 (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Slovenia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
30,000 in Slovenia (Arefyev 2012), all users.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Slovakia
Language Name
Russian
User Population
1,300,000 in Slovakia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 3,180 (2013 UNSD).
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Tajikistan
Language Name
Russian
User Population
44,600 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 303,000 (2017).
- Location
- Major cities.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. No longer consistently used for interethnic communciation. View other languages of Turkmenistan
Language Name
Russian
User Population
900,000 in Turkmenistan (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 724,000 (2020). Ethnic population: 241,000 (2020).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Turkey
Language Name
Russian
User Population
600,000 in Turkey (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 7,500 (2019).
- Location
- Widespread, particularly in east and south.
- Language Status
- 2 (Provincial) View other languages of Ukraine
Language Name
Russian
User Population
39,100,000 in Ukraine, all users. L1 users: 14,300,000 in Ukraine (2003 UNSD). L2 users: 24,800,000 (Arefyev 2012).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of United States
Language Name
Russian
User Population
879,000 in United States (2015 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Uruguay
Language Name
Russian
User Population
14,300 in Uruguay (2016 J. Leclerc).
- Location
- Major cities.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Uzbekistan
Language Name
Russian
User Population
11,800,000 in Uzbekistan (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 4,720,000 (2019 World Factbook). Ethnic population: 759,000 (2019 World Factbook).
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