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 (especially "привет" and "здравствуйте")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "привет" and "здравствуйте"; A2 (Elementary) for "алло" due to specific context

Pronunciation (Russian):

привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on привет: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

здравствуйте: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe]

Note on здравствуйте: This word can be challenging due to the cluster of consonants at the beginning. The stress is on the second syllable.

алло: [ɐˈlo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General Greeting:

Translation(s) & Context:

• привет - Used in casual, informal settings among friends or peers.
• здравствуйте - Used in formal or polite settings, such as addressing strangers, elders, or in professional environments.

Usage Examples:

• Привет, как дела?

  Hello, how are you?

• Здравствуйте, я рад вас видеть.

  Hello, I’m glad to see you.

• Привет, ты дома?

  Hey, are you at home?

2. Answering the Phone:

Translation(s) & Context:

• алло - Exclusively used when answering or making a phone call in an informal context.

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 the second-person plural imperative form of the verb "здороваться" (to greet). It does not inflect further in greeting usage but can be related to other verb forms.

Basic Conjugation of "здороваться" (Imperfective, Reflexive Verb)

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	здоровюсь [zdrɐˈvujusʲ]
Мы (We)	здороваемся [zdrɐˈvaɪmsʲə]
Вы (You, formal/plural)	здороваетесь [zdrɐˈvaɪtʲɪsʲ]

алло: This is a borrowed interjection and does not inflect. It is used solely in the context of telephone conversations.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for привет (informal greeting):

• хай
• здорово

Note: "хай" is a very informal, trendy variant often used by younger generations, while "здорово" can also mean "great" depending on context.

Synonyms for здравствуйте (formal greeting):

• добрый день (Good day)
• доброе утро (Good morning)

Antonyms: None, as greetings do not typically have direct opposites. However, "до свидания" (goodbye) can be considered a contextual opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Привет всем! - "Hello everyone!" (used to greet a group informally)
• Здравствуйте, как поживаете? - "Hello, how are you doing?" (formal inquiry after greeting)
• Алло, это ты? - "Hello, is that you?" (common phone greeting)

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is strictly informal and should not be used in formal or professional settings. It is equivalent to "hi" or "hey" in English.
• "Здравствуйте" is the safe, default choice when addressing someone you don’t know well or in a formal context. It literally means "be healthy" and conveys respect.
• "Алло" is only appropriate for phone conversations and would sound odd if used face-to-face.
• Choosing between "привет" and "здравствуйте" depends on the relationship with the person and the setting. When in doubt, opt for the formal "здравствуйте."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "привет" in formal situations. For example, saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss.

  Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead, e.g., "Здравствуйте, Иван Петрович."

  Explanation: "Привет" signals familiarity, which can be seen as disrespectful in formal contexts.

• Error: Mispronouncing "здравствуйте" by skipping consonants or stressing the wrong syllable.

  Correct Usage: Practice the full consonant cluster [zdr] and stress the second syllable: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe].

  Explanation: Omitting sounds can make the word unintelligible to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are an important part of social interaction. Using the appropriate level of formality (e.g., "здравствуйте" over "привет") shows respect and awareness of social hierarchy, especially when addressing elders or authority figures. Additionally, "здравствуйте" reflects a historical wish for good health, rooted in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

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