Russian Internet Vocabulary 101

Ever stumbled across a Russian message or post and been totally baffled by the avalanche of abbreviations and acronyms? Don’t worry, you’re not alone—and you’ve come to the right place! In this fun and practical guide, we’re breaking down the most common Russian acronyms and abbreviations, so you’ll never feel lost in translation again!

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Is your Russian friend constantly adding parentheses at the end of their sentences, leaving you puzzled? Don’t worry, it’s not as strange as it seems! In the world of internet slang, Russians use parentheses to represent a smile.

The most commonly used abbreviations

The most frequently used acronyms

Acronyms borrowed from English