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 (commonly used in daily conversations)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "привет" and "алло"; A2 (Elementary) for "здравствуйте" due to pronunciation and formality nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on привет: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'р' sound is rolled, which might be challenging for non-native speakers.

здравствуйте: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe]

Note on здравствуйте: This word has a cluster of consonants ('здр') that can be difficult to pronounce. Practice breaking it into parts: 'zdrast' + 'vuyte'.

алло: [ɐˈlo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General Greeting (Casual)

Translation(s) & Context:

• привет - Used among friends, family, or peers 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 contexts, such as addressing strangers, elders, or in professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, я хотел бы записаться на приём.

  Hello, I would like to make an appointment.

• Здравствуйте, как я могу вам помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

• Здравствуйте, приятно познакомиться.

  Hello, nice to meet you.

3. Phone Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• алло - Used specifically when answering or initiating a phone call.

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 number of people addressed.

здравствуйте: This is the formal second-person plural imperative form of the verb "здороваться" (to greet). It does not change based on gender or number in greetings, but related forms exist for informal or singular contexts (e.g., "здравствуй" for informal singular).

Forms of "здравствовать" in Greeting Contexts

Formality/Number	Form
Formal/Plural	здравствуйте
Informal/Singular	здравствуй

алло: This is an interjection borrowed from French and does not inflect. It is used exclusively in phone conversations.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for привет:

• здорово (informal, often used among close friends)
• приветик (diminutive, very informal and affectionate)

Note: "здорово" can also mean "great" depending on context, so intonation matters.

Synonyms for здравствуйте:

• добрый день (literally "good day," formal but less stiff)
• доброе утро (literally "good morning," time-specific)

Antonyms: None, as greetings do not typically have direct antonyms. However, farewell terms like "до свидания" (goodbye) serve as contextual opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как дела? - "Hello, how are you?" (common casual greeting with inquiry)
• Здравствуйте, чем могу помочь? - "Hello, how can I help?" (formal, often used in service contexts)
• Алло, это ты? - "Hello, is that you?" (common phone phrase)

Usage Notes:

• "привет" is the most common informal greeting, equivalent to "hi" or "hey" in English. It should not be used with strangers or in formal settings.
• "здравствуйте" is a safe choice for formal or unfamiliar situations. It signals respect and politeness, akin to a formal "hello" in English.
• "алло" is restricted to phone conversations and should not be used in face-to-face greetings.
• Choosing between translations depends on the relationship with the person and the context (casual vs. formal, in-person vs. phone).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "привет" in formal contexts, e.g., greeting a teacher or boss.
  Incorrect: Привет, Иван Иванович!
  Correct: Здравствуйте, Иван Иванович!
  Explanation: "привет" is too casual for authority figures or formal settings; always opt for "здравствуйте."
• Error: Using "алло" in person.
  Incorrect: Алло, как дела? (face-to-face)
  Correct: Привет, как дела?
  Explanation: "алло" is phone-specific and sounds unnatural in direct conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are tied to formality and respect. Using "здравствуйте" with strangers or older individuals is a sign of politeness. Russians may also accompany greetings with a handshake (among men) or a nod, especially in formal settings. Additionally, time-specific greetings like "доброе утро" (good morning) or "добрый вечер" (good evening) are common and reflect attention to context.

Related Concepts:

• до свидания (goodbye)
• добрый день (good day)
• как дела? (how are you?)