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 in their respective contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for all translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

Привет: [prʲɪˈvʲet]

Note on Привет: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'r' 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: Stress is on the second syllable, used exclusively in phone conversations.

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. Greeting someone formally or politely

Translation(s) & Context:

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

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, я хотел бы задать вопрос.

  Hello, I would like to ask a question.

• Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать!

  Hello, welcome!

• Здравствуйте, чем могу помочь?

  Hello, how can I help you?

3. Answering the phone

Translation(s) & Context:

• Алло - Used specifically when answering or calling someone on the phone.

Usage Examples:

• Алло, это Иван?

  Hello, is this Ivan?

• Алло, ты меня слышишь?

  Hello, can you hear me?

• Алло, кто это?

  Hello, who is this?

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 the formal second-person plural imperative form of the verb "здравствовать" (to be healthy). It is used for both singular and plural formal greetings. The informal singular form is "Здравствуй" [zdrɐˈstvuj].

Алло: This is a borrowed interjection and does not change form. It is used exclusively in telephone conversations.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Привет:

• Салют
• Хай

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

Synonyms for Здравствуйте:

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

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

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как дела? - A common informal greeting meaning "Hi, how are you?"
• Здравствуйте, приятно познакомиться! - A polite greeting meaning "Hello, nice to meet you!"
• Алло, это кто? - A phone greeting meaning "Hello, who is this?"

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 about the level of formality. It shows respect and politeness.
• Алло is only used when answering or speaking on the phone. Using it in person would be inappropriate and confusing.
• Russian greetings often depend on the time of day (e.g., "Добрый день" for "Good afternoon"), so context matters.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Привет" in formal situations. For example, saying "Привет" to a teacher or boss.
  Correct Usage: Use "Здравствуйте" instead. Example: "Здравствуйте, как я могу помочь?" (Hello, how can I help?)
  Explanation: "Привет" signals familiarity, which can be seen as disrespectful in formal contexts.
• Error: Using "Алло" in face-to-face conversations.
  Correct Usage: Reserve "Алло" for phone calls only. Use "Привет" or "Здравствуйте" in person.
  Explanation: "Алло" is a telephone-specific greeting and sounds odd outside that context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings are important for establishing the tone of a conversation. Using the appropriate level of formality (e.g., "Здравствуйте" for strangers or elders) demonstrates respect. Russians often accompany greetings with a handshake (among men) or a nod, especially in formal settings. Unlike in some cultures, smiling during a formal greeting is not always expected and may even seem insincere if overdone.

Related Concepts:

• Прощай (Goodbye)
• До свидания (See you later)
• Добрый день (Good afternoon)