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 (All translations are commonly used in appropriate contexts)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

Привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on Привет: Stress is on the second syllable. The "r" is rolled slightly.

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 situations, such as addressing strangers, elders, or in professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Привет, как дела?

  Hi, how are you?

• Здравствуйте, можно с вами поговорить?

  Hello, may I speak with you?

• Привет, ты дома?

  Hey, are you at home?

• Здравствуйте, я новый сотрудник.

  Hello, I am the new employee.

2. Answering the Phone

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Used specifically when answering the phone, informal.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, кто это?

  Hello, who is this?

• Алло, я слушаю.

  Hello, I’m listening.

• 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.

Здравствуйте: This is the second-person plural imperative form of the verb "здравствовать" (to be healthy). It does not inflect further but has a singular informal variant, "Здравствуй" [zdrɐˈstvuj], used when addressing one person informally.

Алло: This is a borrowed interjection and does not inflect. It remains unchanged in all contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет:

• Салют
• Хай

Note: "Салют" and "Хай" are less common and very informal, often used by younger speakers or in specific subcultures.

Synonyms for Здравствуйте:

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

Antonyms: None, as greetings do not typically have direct opposites. However, "Прощай" (Goodbye) can be considered contextually opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Привет всем! - "Hello everyone!" (Used to greet a group informally)
• Здравствуйте, как поживаете? - "Hello, how are you?" (Formal inquiry about well-being)
• Алло, это кто? - "Hello, who is this?" (Common phone greeting)

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is the go-to informal greeting among friends, family, or peers. It’s inappropriate in formal settings or when addressing someone of higher status or unfamiliarity.
• "Здравствуйте" is the safe, polite choice for most formal or unfamiliar situations. It conveys respect and is widely used in customer service, workplaces, and when meeting someone for the first time.
• "Алло" is exclusively used when answering the phone and should not be used in face-to-face greetings.
• Be mindful of the formality level in Russian culture, as using an informal greeting in a formal context can be seen as disrespectful.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in formal settings. Example of Error: Saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss. Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead.
• Error: Mispronouncing "Здравствуйте" by skipping consonants or stressing the wrong syllable. Example of Error: Saying [zdrasˈtujtʲe]. Correct Pronunciation: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe].
• Error: Using "Алло" in person. Example of Error: Greeting someone face-to-face with "Алло". Correct Usage: Reserve "Алло" for phone conversations only.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are highly context-dependent. Addressing someone formally with "Здравствуйте" shows respect, especially towards elders or authority figures. Russians often accompany greetings with a handshake (for men) or a nod. On the phone, "Алло" is standard, but younger generations might use "Да" (Yes) informally to answer calls.

Related Concepts:

• Прощание (Farewell)
• Добрый день (Good day)
• Как дела? (How are you?)