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

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 '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]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Greeting Someone Casually

Translation(s) & Context:

• Привет - Used among friends, family, or in informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Привет, как дела?

  Hello, how are you?

• Привет, давно не виделись!

  Hello, long time no see!

• Привет, заходи!

  Hello, come in!

2. Greeting Someone Formally or Politely

Translation(s) & Context:

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

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, как я могу вам помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

• Здравствуйте, приятно познакомиться.

  Hello, nice to meet you.

• Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать!

  Hello, welcome!

3. Answering the Phone

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Used exclusively when answering or speaking on the phone.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, кто это?

  Hello, who is this?

• Алло, вы меня слышите?

  Hello, can you hear me?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Здравствуйте: This is a formal greeting derived from the verb "здравствовать" (to be healthy). It is used in the second person plural as a polite form. For informal or singular contexts, "Здравствуй" [zdrɐˈstvuj] is used.

Алло: This is an interjection specific to telephone conversations and does not change form.

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:

• Пока (Goodbye - informal)
• До свидания (Goodbye - formal)

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как дела? - A common informal greeting meaning "Hello, how are you?"
• Здравствуйте, чем могу помочь? - A polite greeting often used in service contexts, meaning "Hello, how can I help?"
• Алло, это кто? - A typical phone greeting, meaning "Hello, who is this?"

Usage Notes:

• "Привет" is strictly informal and should not be used in formal or professional settings.
• "Здравствуйте" is the safest choice when addressing someone you don’t know or in a formal context. It conveys respect and politeness.
• "Алло" is only appropriate for telephone conversations and should not be used in face-to-face greetings.
• Choosing between "Привет" and "Здравствуйте" depends on the relationship with the person and the context. When in doubt, opt for "Здравствуйте."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in a formal setting, e.g., greeting a teacher or boss with "Привет" instead of "Здравствуйте."
  Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" to show respect. Example: "Здравствуйте, Иван Петрович!" (Hello, Ivan Petrovich!)
• Error: Using "Алло" in person instead of on the phone.
  Correct Usage: Reserve "Алло" for phone calls only. In person, use "Привет" or "Здравствуйте."
• Error: Mispronouncing "Здравствуйте" by skipping consonants.
  Correct Usage: Practice the full pronunciation [zdrɐˈstvujtʲe], paying attention to the consonant cluster.

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, strangers, or authority figures. Russians may also combine greetings with a handshake or a nod, especially in formal settings.

Related Concepts:

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