The standard way to say “hi” or “hello” in Russian is привет (privet). It’s a casual greeting that can be used among friends and acquaintances.
Another common greeting is здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte), which is more formal and polite. It’s similar to “hello” in English and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Other informal greetings in Russian include:
- здорово (zdorovo) – equivalent to “hey” in English
- приветик (privetik) – a more playful or affectionate version of привет (privet)
When meeting someone for the first time or in a more formal setting, you may also use the following phrases:
- доброе утро (dobroe utro) – “good morning”
- добрый день (dobryy den’) – “good afternoon”
- добрый вечер (dobryy vecher) – “good evening”
It’s important to note that in Russian culture, it’s common to greet someone with a handshake or a hug (if you know them well), and to make direct eye contact while speaking. It’s also considered polite to ask how someone is doing (как дела? or kak dela?) after saying hello.
How do you say hi in russian language?
