This article has been viewed 598,193 times. This is the most common way to ask “How are you?” in Russian. It’s typically used in more informal settings, but you probably won’t offend anyone by using it. Privetik (pree-vyet-ick) is an even less formal, almost cutesy way of saying “hi,” more typically used by young women.
While it means “Hello”, it is not considered a particularly polite form of saying it. This is how to say “hello” in Russian informally. This popular greeting means, of course, “hello”. It is a familiar and informal word to be used in casual settings, with friends or family. If you search for ‘hello Russian’, this is the answer you will get!
Since Здравствуйте is so common, you can use it in virtually any situation where in English you’d say ‘Hello’. So that’s also how we’re going to discuss the Russian greetings here. As in English, “good afternoon” or hi in russian language Добрый день in Russian settles between 12pm and 6pm, or generally when there is still daylight. If you want to sound a little more elegant, you could use the verb πриветствую , literally meaning “I greet you”.
By now you know how to leave a good last impression in Russian. If you’re not a native Russian speaker (and if you’re here, I guess you aren’t), don’t be too confused by all the different phrases on this page. They’re merely here so you can surprise your Russian friends. The following phrases are best used when you know someone well, or with friends. Also, if you say goodbye to someone and they use one of these phrases, it’s a sign you can also use an informal way of saying goodbye back.
This phrase is typically followed by your full name. Later in the evening, use dobryj vyechyer! (dohb–rihy vye-cheer) to say “good evening.” Still not convinced why you need so many Russian greetings? С приездомis another form of “welcome” which you might use when someone is arriving after a long journey or travel.
Zdravstvujtye is also used to greet a group of people, even if you’re talking to a group of children, or to friends and family. With the help of interactive subtitles and personalized quizzes, you can learn new vocabulary as used by native speakers and practice what you’ve learned. The basic gist is “nice to see you.” However, variations are used to indicate your gender and to change the level of formality. Доброй ночи is a formal phrase literally meaning “good night” but not the before-going-to-bed kind. Literally meaning “I greet you,” this is a greeting that comes from the verb приветствовать . Similarly to здорово below (see #10), it might be used more by young men when greeting their friends or peers.
Здравствуйте is often used in the most formal situations. With good etiquette, some cultural know-how and the perfect greeting from the list below, you’ll be well on your way to starting any Russian conversation in grand style. Рад тебя видеть (Rad tebya videt`)—“Glad to see you.” This is one of the more popular Russian greetings between friends, and is typically used to address good friends. (Fizkul`t-privet!)—“Hi” from the film “Джентльмены удачи” (Dzhentl`meny udachi).
A word derived from the French greeting “Salut”, it is an informal way to greet someone. When meeting people you know very well in a casual setting, for example, “Салю́т”is perfectly appropriate. While the literal meaning of this expression is “be healthy” in the imperative mood, Russians commonly use it as a way to say “Hello”. It is suitable for most everyday situations and is considered to be Russian for “hello”. If you would like to greet your local grocery store owner, for example, “Здрáвствуйте! This is typically how to greet someone in Russian.
