Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Hello'

English Word: Hello

Key Russian Translations:

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

Frequency: High

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

Здравствуйте: [ˈzdrastvʊjtʲe]

Note on Здравствуйте: The cluster of consonants at the beginning can be challenging for non-native speakers. Practice breaking it into "zdra-stvooy-te."

Привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

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

Алло: [ɐˈlo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Formal Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Здравствуйте - Used in formal or polite settings, such as addressing strangers, elders, or in professional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, как я могу вам помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

• Здравствуйте, я рад вас видеть.

  Hello, I’m glad to see you.

• Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать в наш офис.

  Hello, welcome to our office.

2. Informal Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

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

Usage Examples:

• Привет, как дела?

  Hello, how are you?

• Привет, давно не виделись!

  Hey, long time no see!

• Привет, заходи, не стесняйся.

  Hi, come in, don’t be shy.

3. Telephone Greeting

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Specifically used when answering or calling someone on the phone.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, это Иван?

  Hello, is this Ivan?

• Алло, вы меня слышите?

  Hello, can you hear me?

• Алло, я перезвоню позже.

  Hello, I’ll call you back later.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Здравствуйте: This is the formal second-person plural imperative form of the verb "здравствовать" (to be healthy). It does not inflect further as it is a fixed greeting.

Привет: This is a noun meaning "greeting" and does not inflect in its use as a greeting. However, as a noun, it follows standard masculine noun declension rules:

Case	Singular
Nominative	Привет
Genitive	Привета
Dative	Привету
Accusative	Привет
Instrumental	Приветом
Prepositional	О привете

Алло: This is an interjection borrowed from French and does not inflect in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет (Informal Greeting):

• Здорово
• Хай

Note: "Здорово" is slightly more colloquial and regional, while "Хай" is a modern, borrowed form often used by younger generations.

Antonyms: None applicable for greetings like "Hello," as there is no direct opposite in this context.

Related Phrases:

• Здравствуйте, как ваши дела? - "Hello, how are you?" (Formal)
• Привет, что нового? - "Hi, what’s new?" (Informal)
• Алло, кто говорит? - "Hello, who’s speaking?" (Phone context)

Usage Notes:

• Formality Matters: In Russian, the choice between "Здравствуйте" and "Привет" is crucial based on the level of formality. Use "Здравствуйте" when addressing someone you don’t know well or in professional settings. "Привет" is reserved for friends or casual encounters.

• Telephone Etiquette: "Алло" is exclusively used for phone conversations and should not be used in face-to-face greetings.

• Cultural Nuance: Russians often use greetings as a way to establish rapport, so responding appropriately to the level of formality is important.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in formal settings. For example, saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss can seem disrespectful.

  Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead. Example: "Здравствуйте, Иван Петрович."

  Incorrect Example: "Привет, Иван Петрович." (This sounds overly casual and inappropriate.)

• Error: Using "Алло" in person. Example: Greeting someone face-to-face with "Алло."

  Correct Usage: Reserve "Алло" for phone calls only.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are often accompanied by a handshake (for men) or a nod. "Здравствуйте" literally means "be healthy," reflecting historical wishes for well-being. Using the appropriate greeting based on familiarity shows respect and cultural awareness, which is highly valued in Russian-speaking communities.

Related Concepts:

• До свидания (Goodbye)
• Как дела? (How are you?)
• Спасибо (Thank you)