Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌskɪ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Russki" can be a bit confusing for English speakers. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as "ruːski". The double S in "Russki" represents the voiceless sibilant sound /s/, while the letter U is pronounced as the long vowel /uː/. The letter K represents the voiceless velar stop /k/. It is important to note that the word "Russki" is the adjective form of "Russia" in the Russian language.
Russki is a colloquial term commonly used to refer to a person who is ethnically Russian or to the Russian language. The word is derived from the Russian word "русский" (russkiy), which simply means "Russian."
When used to describe an individual, Russki refers specifically to someone who is a native or descendant of the Russian population. It signifies their cultural and linguistic heritage as well. This term is typically used in informal contexts or among Russians themselves, though it can sometimes be perceived as nationalistic or exclusionary when used by non-Russians.
Russki can also refer to the Russian language itself. It denotes the standard Russian language spoken today, which is derived from Old East Slavic. As the official language of Russia, it is widely spoken not only in Russia but also in several other countries that were once part of the former Soviet Union.
In a broader sense, Russki may encompass the broader Russophone world, which includes various cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities that use Russian as their primary or secondary language. This includes Russian-speaking communities outside of Russia, such as in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and many other countries with historical ties to Russia.
Overall, Russki encapsulates both the ethnic and linguistic aspects of being Russian, and it is commonly used to describe individuals of Russian heritage or the Russian language itself.
The word "Russki" (pronounced as roos-kee) is derived from the term "Rus", which refers to the ethnonym of the Eastern Slavic people who established the medieval state of Kievan Rus. The early origins of "Rus" are not fully known, but it is believed to have come from the Old Norse word "rǫs" meaning "rowers" or "seafarers". The Norse Viking tribes and traders, who played a significant role in the early interactions in the region, likely influenced the term. Over time, "Rus" became the name of the emerging Slavic state, and its people were called "Russkii" (singular "Russki").
