если не секрет

Russian

Etymology

Literally "if not a secret".

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [ˌjes⁽ʲ⁾lʲɪ nʲɪ‿sʲɪˈkrʲet]

Phrase

е́сли не секре́т • (jésli ne sekrét)

  1. if you don't mind me asking, if you don't mind my asking, if I may ask
    Где ты рабо́таешь, е́сли не секре́т? ― Gde ty rabótaješʹ, jésli ne sekrét? ― Where do you work, if you don't mind me asking?

Usage notes

Often translated literally into English by Russian speakers, despite sounding quaint and unnatural to English native speakers.

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