Russian Translation(s) & Details for '{{obverse}}'

English Word: {{obverse}}

Key Russian Translations:

• привет [prɪˈvʲet] - [Informal, Used as a casual greeting among friends or peers]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday spoken Russian)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, easy for new learners to pick up)

Pronunciation (Russian):

привет: [prɪˈvʲet]

Note on привет: The stress falls on the second syllable; the 'в' sound is soft and similar to the English 'v', but with a slight palatalization. Be careful with the 'е' which is pronounced like a short 'e' in "bet".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Greeting (Informal way to say hello)

Translation(s) & Context:

• привет - Used in casual, everyday situations, such as greeting friends or family; avoid in formal settings like business meetings.

Usage Examples:

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

  Hello, how are you? (This example shows the word in a simple inquiry about well-being, common in informal conversations.)

• Привет! Давай встретимся вечером. (Privet! Davai vstretimsya vecherom.)

  Hello! Let's meet up tonight. (Here, it's used to initiate a plan, demonstrating its role in starting interactions.)

• Привет всем! (Privet vsem!)

  Hello everyone! (This illustrates its use in addressing a group, such as in social media or casual gatherings.)

• Я сказал привет, когда вошел в комнату. (Ya skazal privet, kogda voшел v komnatu.)

  I said hello when I entered the room. (This shows it in a narrative context, highlighting basic sentence integration.)

• Привет, это я! (Privet, eto ya!)

  Hello, it's me! (Used when answering the phone or identifying oneself, emphasizing its versatility in communication.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Привет" is an interjection and does not undergo typical inflection for case, number, or gender. It remains unchanged in most contexts. However, it can be used in various phrases without alteration.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte) - More formal greeting, used in professional or polite situations; differs by being respectful and multi-syllabic.
  • добрый день (dobryy den') - Literal "good day," used in daytime greetings with a neutral tone.
• Antonyms: N/A (As a greeting, it doesn't have direct antonyms, but formal farewells like "до свидания" (do svidaniya) could contrast in context.)

Related Phrases:

• Привет, как твои дела? - Hello, how are you? (A common extension for inquiring about someone's state.)
• Добрый вечер, привет! - Good evening, hello! (Combines a time-specific greeting with an informal one.)
• Приветствие по телефону - Greeting on the phone, e.g., "Алло, привет!" meaning "Hello, hi!" (Used specifically in telephonic contexts.)

Usage Notes:

Use "привет" only in informal settings, as it can come across as too casual or rude in formal environments. Unlike English "hello," which is versatile, Russian greetings often depend on the time of day or relationship—opt for "здравствуйте" in professional contexts. Grammatically, it stands alone or at the start of sentences without conjugation.

• When choosing between translations, select based on context: "привет" for friends, "здравствуйте" for strangers.
• It's often paired with questions like "как дела?" to make conversations flow naturally.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse "привет" in formal situations, such as business meetings, where "здравствуйте" is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: Привет, господин Иванов. (This sounds overly familiar and disrespectful.)
• Correct: Здравствуйте, господин Иванов. (The proper formal greeting.)
• Explanation: Russian culture emphasizes hierarchy in greetings; using an informal word can imply disrespect, so always assess the social context before speaking.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, greetings like "привет" reflect the importance of personal relationships and warmth in informal interactions. However, Russians may greet with a hug or kiss among close friends, making "привет" part of a broader social ritual that signifies friendliness and approachability.

Related Concepts:

• здравствуйте
• добрый день
• до свидания