Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Hello'

English Word: Hello

Key Russian Translations:

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

Frequency: High (all translations are commonly used in their respective contexts)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

Привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on Привет: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'r' is rolled slightly, typical of Russian phonetics.

Здравствуйте: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲɪ]

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

Алло: [ɐˈlo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General Greeting (Casual)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Привет - Used among friends, peers, 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, elders, or in professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, я хотел бы задать вопрос.

  Hello, I would like to ask a question.

• Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать!

  Hello, welcome!

• Здравствуйте, как я могу вам помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

3. Telephone Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Exclusively used when answering or making a phone call.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, кто это?

  Hello, who is this?

• Алло, ты меня слышишь?

  Hello, can you hear me?

• Алло, это Иван?

  Hello, is this Ivan?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Привет: This is an interjection and does not inflect or change form. It remains the same in all contexts.

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

Алло: This is a loanword (from French) used as an interjection in Russian. It does not inflect or change form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет:

• Салют
• Хай

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

Synonyms for Здравствуйте:

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

Note: These are time-specific greetings but serve a similar formal purpose.

Antonyms: None, as greetings do not typically have direct opposites. However, "До свидания" (Goodbye) could be considered a contextual opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Привет всем! - "Hello everyone!" (used to greet a group informally)
• Здравствуйте, рад вас видеть! - "Hello, nice to see you!" (formal greeting with added warmth)
• Алло, перезвоните позже. - "Hello, call back later." (common phone phrase)

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is strictly informal and should not be used with people you don't know well or in professional settings.
• "Здравствуйте" is the safest choice when unsure of the formality level, as it shows respect and politeness.
• "Алло" is never used in face-to-face greetings; it is reserved for telephone conversations.
• Russian greetings often depend on the time of day ("Добрый день" for afternoon, "Доброе утро" for morning), unlike the more general "Hello" in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in formal situations. Example of error: Saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss. Correct usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead.
• Error: Mispronouncing "Здравствуйте" by skipping consonants. Example of error: Saying [zdras-tuj-te]. Correct pronunciation: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲɪ], ensuring all consonants are pronounced distinctly.
• Error: Using "Алло" in person. Example of error: Greeting someone face-to-face with "Алло". Correct usage: Reserve "Алло" for phone calls and use "Привет" or "Здравствуйте" in person.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are often accompanied by a handshake (among men) or a nod. Using the appropriate level of formality is crucial, as Russians value respect in initial interactions. "Здравствуйте" literally means "Be healthy," reflecting a historical wish for well-being.

Related Concepts:

• До свидания (Goodbye)
• Как дела? (How are you?)
• Добрый день (Good day)