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 "р" sound is rolled slightly.

Здравствуйте: [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe]

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

Алло: [ɐˈlo]

Note on Алло: Simple pronunciation, stress on the second syllable, used specifically in phone conversations.

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 всем!

  Hi everyone!

2. Formal Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Здравствуйте - Used in formal or polite situations, such as addressing strangers, teachers, or colleagues.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, я рад вас видеть.

  Hello, I’m glad to see you.

• Здравствуйте, можно войти?

  Hello, may I come in?

• Здравствуйте, как я могу вам помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

3. Phone Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Used exclusively when answering or making a phone call, informal tone.

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 imperative form of the verb "здравствовать" (to be healthy). It is used for addressing one or more people in polite contexts. For informal singular address, use "Здравствуй" [zdrɐˈstvuj].

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет:

• Салют
• Хай

Note: "Салют" is less common and often used playfully; "Хай" is a slang borrowing from English "Hi".

Synonyms for Здравствуйте:

• Добрый день
• Доброе утро

Note: These are time-specific greetings meaning "Good day" and "Good morning," respectively.

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

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как дела? - A common informal greeting asking "Hi, how are you?"
• Здравствуйте, приятно познакомиться! - A polite way to say "Hello, nice to meet you!"
• Алло, это ты? - A casual phone greeting meaning "Hello, is that you?"

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is strictly informal and should not be used with people you don’t know well or in formal settings like business meetings.
• "Здравствуйте" is the safest choice when unsure of the level of formality. It conveys respect and politeness.
• "Алло" is only appropriate for phone conversations and would sound odd if used in face-to-face greetings.
• Unlike English "Hello," which is neutral in tone, Russian greetings are highly context-dependent regarding formality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in formal situations. For example, saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss.
  Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead. Example: "Здравствуйте, Иван Петрович!" (Hello, Ivan Petrovich!)
  Explanation: "Привет" is too casual for respectful or professional contexts.
• Error: Mispronouncing "Здравствуйте" by skipping consonants or stressing the wrong syllable.
  Correct Usage: Practice the pronunciation [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe] with stress on "ству".
  Explanation: This word is notoriously difficult for non-native speakers due to its consonant cluster.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are an important part of social etiquette. Using the appropriate level of formality shows respect and awareness of social hierarchy. "Здравствуйте" literally means "Be healthy," reflecting a historical wish for well-being. Russians may also pair greetings with a handshake (for men) or a nod, especially in formal settings.

Related Concepts:

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