Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hello'

English Word: hello

Key Russian Translations:

• привет /prʲɪˈvʲet/ - [Informal, Greeting among friends or peers]
• здравствуйте /zdrasˈtvujtʲe/ - [Formal, Polite greeting in professional or unfamiliar settings]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversations)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it's one of the first words learned)

Pronunciation (Russian):

привет: /prʲɪˈvʲet/

здравствуйте: /zdrasˈtvujtʲe/

Note on привет: The 'р' is rolled, and the stress is on the second syllable; common in casual speech.

Note on здравствуйте: Pronounce with a clear 'з' sound; the word is longer and more emphatic for formality.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Greeting in Informal Contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• привет - Used in casual, everyday interactions with friends, family, or acquaintances; equivalent to "hi" in English.

Usage Examples:

• Привет, как дела? (Privet, kak dela?)

  Hello, how are you? (This example shows a basic informal greeting followed by a question.)

• Привет! Давай встретимся сегодня вечером. (Privet! Davay vstretimsya segodnya vecherom.)

  Hello! Let's meet up tonight. (Illustrates use in planning social activities.)

• Привет, друзья! (Privet, druz'ya!)

  Hello, friends! (Demonstrates plural addressing in a group setting.)

• Привет, это я. (Privet, eto ya.)

  Hello, it's me. (Used when answering the phone informally.)

Greeting in Formal Contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• здравствуйте - Used in formal situations, such as business meetings, with strangers, or in professional environments; akin to "good day" or "hello" in formal English.

Usage Examples:

• Здравствуйте, меня зовут Анна. (Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut Anna.)

  Hello, my name is Anna. (This shows introduction in a formal context.)

• Здравствуйте, чем могу помочь? (Zdravstvuyte, chem mogu pomoch'?)

  Hello, how can I help you? (Common in customer service or professional interactions.)

• Здравствуйте, уважаемые коллеги. (Zdravstvuyte, uvazhaemye kollegi.)

  Hello, esteemed colleagues. (Used in formal addresses, like meetings.)

• Здравствуйте, это компания XYZ. (Zdravstvuyte, eto kompaniya XYZ.)

  Hello, this is company XYZ. (Example of answering the phone in a business setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "привет" and "здравствуйте" are interjections and do not inflect like nouns or verbs. They remain unchanged in most contexts:

• привет: Invariable; no changes for case, number, or gender.
• здравствуйте: Also invariable, but note that it is a formal plural form derived from "здравствуй" (informal singular). It does not change.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хай (hai) - Very informal, slang for "hi".
  • добрый день (dobryy den') - Means "good day", used as a formal alternative to здравствуйте.
• Antonyms:
  • прощай (proshchay) - Means "goodbye", as an opposite in greeting contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как дела? (Privet, kak dela?) - Hello, how are you? (A standard informal inquiry.)
• Здравствуйте, рад вас видеть. (Zdravstvuyte, rad vas videt'.) - Hello, nice to see you. (Formal expression of pleasure in meeting.)
• Алло, привет! (Allo, privet!) - Hello, hi! (Used when answering the phone informally.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, choosing between "привет" and "здравствуйте" depends on the level of formality and relationship with the person. "Привет" is casual and should be avoided in professional settings, while "здравствуйте" shows respect. English speakers often mistakenly use "привет" universally, but it's important to match the context to avoid rudeness. Additionally, these greetings can be standalone or followed by questions for engagement.

Common Errors:

• Using "привет" in formal situations: Incorrect: Привет, господин Иванов. (This sounds too casual.) Correct: Здравствуйте, господин Иванов. (Explanation: The formal version maintains politeness.)
• Mispronouncing "здравствуйте" by shortening it: Incorrect: Здравствуй (informal singular). Correct: Здравствуйте (formal plural). (Explanation: Using the wrong form can imply familiarity where none exists.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings like "здравствуйте" emphasize respect and hierarchy, reflecting the importance of politeness in social interactions. "Привет" is more egalitarian and common among younger people or in urban settings, highlighting the casual nature of modern Russian communication.

Related Concepts:

• до свидания (do svidaniya) - Goodbye
• как дела (kak dela) - How are you?
• пока (poka) - Bye (informal)