Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Hello'

English Word: Hello

Key Russian Translations:

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

Frequency: High (All translations are commonly used)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

Привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on Привет: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'r' sound 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" + "vuyte".

Алло: [ɐˈlo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Greeting Someone Casually

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 or Polite Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Здравствуйте - Used in formal situations, with strangers, or to show respect.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, я хотел бы записаться на прием.

  Hello, I would like to make an appointment.

• Здравствуйте, как я могу к вам обратиться?

  Hello, how may I address you?

• Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать!

  Hello, welcome!

3. Answering the Phone

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Exclusively used when answering or speaking on the phone.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, кто это?

  Hello, who is this?

• Алло, ты меня слышишь?

  Hello, can you hear me?

• Алло, я перезвоню позже.

  Hello, I’ll call you back later.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Привет: This is an interjection and does not change form. It remains invariant regardless of context or speaker.

Здравствуйте: This is the polite imperative form of the verb "здравствовать" (to be healthy). It does not inflect further in greetings but note the informal variant "Здравствуй" [zdrɐˈstvuj] used for singular, informal address.

Алло: This is a loanword used as an interjection and does not change form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет:

• Салют
• Хай

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

Synonyms for Здравствуйте:

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

Antonyms:

• Пока (Goodbye - for Привет)
• До свидания (Goodbye - for Здравствуйте)

Related Phrases:

• Привет всем! - "Hello everyone!" (Used to greet a group informally)
• Здравствуйте, чем могу помочь? - "Hello, how can I help you?" (Formal service context)
• Алло, это ты? - "Hello, is that you?" (Common phone greeting)

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is the go-to informal greeting, equivalent to "hi" or "hey" in English. It should not be used with authority figures or in formal settings.
• "Здравствуйте" is a safe choice for any formal or polite interaction, especially with strangers or in professional environments. It literally means "be healthy" and reflects a traditional Russian greeting.
• "Алло" is strictly for telephone conversations and would sound odd if used face-to-face.
• When choosing between translations, consider the level of formality and the context (e.g., phone vs. in-person).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in formal settings. For example, saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss.
  Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead.
  Incorrect Example: Привет, Иван Петрович! (to a professor)
  Correct Example: Здравствуйте, Иван Петрович!
• Error: Using "Алло" in face-to-face greetings.
  Correct Usage: Reserve "Алло" for phone calls only.
  Incorrect Example: Алло, как дела? (in person)
  Correct Example: Привет, как дела?

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are important for establishing the tone of a conversation. Using "Здравствуйте" shows respect and is often expected when addressing elders or in formal settings. Russians may also pair greetings with a handshake (for men) or a nod, especially in formal encounters. "Привет" is often accompanied by a more relaxed tone or even a wave among friends.

Related Concepts:

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