Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Hello'

English Word: Hello

Key Russian Translations:

• Привет [prʲɪˈvʲet] - [Informal]
• Здравствуйте [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe] - [Formal, Polite]
• Алло [ɐˈlo] - [Informal, Used when answering the phone]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "Привет" and "Алло"; A2 (Elementary) for "Здравствуйте"

Pronunciation (Russian):

Привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on Привет: The stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly.

Здравствуйте: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe]

Note on Здравствуйте: This word can be challenging due to the cluster of consonants at the beginning. Practice breaking it into parts: "zdrast-vuy-te".

Алло: [ɐˈlo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Greeting Someone Casually

Translation(s) & Context:

• Привет - Used among friends, family, or in informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Привет, как дела?

  Hello, how are you?

• Привет, давно не виделись!

  Hey, long time no see!

• Привет, заходи!

  Hi, come in!

2. Formal Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Здравствуйте - Used in formal or polite situations, such as addressing strangers, teachers, or in professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, как я могу вам помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

• Здравствуйте, приятно познакомиться.

  Hello, nice to meet you.

• Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать!

  Hello, welcome!

3. Answering the Phone

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Used exclusively when answering or speaking on the phone informally.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, кто это?

  Hello, who is this?

• Алло, ты меня слышишь?

  Hello, can you hear me?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Привет: This is an interjection and does not inflect. It remains unchanged regardless of context or grammar.

Здравствуйте: This is a formal greeting derived from the verb "здороваться" (to greet). It is used in the second person plural form as a sign of respect. Below is a simplified table of related verb forms:

Person	Form (Present Tense of "здороваться")
1st Singular	здоровáюсь [zdrɐˈvajusʲ]
2nd Plural (Polite)	здорóваетесь [zdrɐˈvajɪtʲɪsʲ]

Алло: This is an interjection specifically for phone conversations and does not inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет:

• Салют
• Хай

Note: "Салют" and "Хай" are less common and often used by younger speakers or in very casual contexts.

Synonyms for Здравствуйте:

• Добрый день (Good day)
• Доброе утро (Good morning)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as greetings lack clear opposites. However, farewell terms like "Пока" (Bye) or "До свидания" (Goodbye) could be considered contextually opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как дела? - "Hello, how are you?" (Common casual greeting)
• Здравствуйте, рад вас видеть! - "Hello, glad to see you!" (Formal expression of greeting)
• Алло, это ты? - "Hello, is that you?" (Used on the phone to confirm identity)

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is the go-to informal greeting, equivalent to "Hi" or "Hey" in English. It should not be used with strangers or in formal settings.
• "Здравствуйте" is the safest choice for formal or polite interactions. It literally means "Be healthy" and reflects respect.
• "Алло" is strictly for phone conversations and should not be used in face-to-face greetings.
• Choosing between "Привет" and "Здравствуйте" depends on the relationship and setting. When in doubt, opt for the formal "Здравствуйте".

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "Привет" in formal settings.

Incorrect: Привет, профессор Иванов. (Hi, Professor Ivanov.)

Correct: Здравствуйте, профессор Иванов. (Hello, Professor Ivanov.)

Explanation: "Привет" is too casual for addressing someone in a position of authority or in a formal context. Use "Здравствуйте" instead.

Error 2: Using "Алло" in person.

Incorrect: Алло, как дела? (Hello, how are you? - said in person)

Correct: Привет, как дела? (Hi, how are you?)

Explanation: "Алло" is reserved for phone calls and sounds unnatural in face-to-face conversations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are important for establishing rapport. Using "Здравствуйте" shows respect, especially to older individuals or in professional settings. Russians may also accompany greetings with a handshake (among men) or a nod. On the phone, "Алло" is the standard way to answer, reflecting a practical and direct communication style.

Related Concepts:

• Пока (Bye)
• До свидания (Goodbye)
• Как дела? (How are you?)