будь счастлив
bud' schastliv
In Russian, 'be happy' is expressed as будь счастлив (bud' schastliv).
This phrase is used to express a wish to someone that they may experience long-term joy and fulfillment in their life.
What does it mean word for word?
будь is the imperative form of the verb 'to be' in the singular, and счастлив is a short-form adjective meaning 'happy'.
Which one should you use?
The use of the short-form adjective счастлив instead of the long-form счастливый makes the phrase sound like a wish for a person's state of being rather than a description of their permanent character.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change to match the gender of the person being addressed: use будь счастлив for a male and будь счастлива for a female. When addressing more than one person or using the formal 'you', use будьте счастливы.
How do you pronounce it?
bud' schastliv
Did you know?
- The root of the word счастье, which means 'happiness', is tied to the concept of 'happening' or 'occurrence'. It shares a conceptual lineage with the idea of something that 'befalls' a person, often linked to destiny.
- In many Russian social settings, wishing someone happiness is considered a very heavy and profound sentiment, making it unsuitable for casual goodbyes.
- If you want to tell someone they 'look happy' in a temporary sense, you would rarely use счастлив. Instead, you would use the word весёлый, which implies a more active, bubbly, and transient state of merriment.
Examples in context
- Иди и будь счастлив!Go and be happy!Tatoeba #2657127 by odexed, translation #2747968 by catcher
- Не парься, будь счастлив.Don't worry, be happy.Tatoeba #1602100 by Biga, translation #875403 by ziggsmith
- Будь счастлив и улыбайся!Be happy and smile!Tatoeba #5216069 by astru, translation #5211411 by Adelpa
- Будьте счастливы в новом году!Be happy in the new year!
- Мой друг, будь счастлив всегда!My friend, be happy always!
- Радуйся каждому дню жизни!Be happy every day of your life!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey is seeing Maria off at the airport as she starts a new life abroad.
- Сергей SergeyПрощай, Мария, просто будь счастлива.Proshchay, Mariya, prosto bud' schastliva.Farewell, Maria, just be happy.
- Мария MariaСпасибо, Сергей, я постараюсь.Spasibo, Sergey, ya postarayus'.Thank you, Sergey, I will try.
- Сергей SergeyТы заслуживаешь всего самого лучшего.Ty zasluzhivayesh' vsego samogo luchshego.You deserve all the best.
- Мария MariaИ ты тоже будь счастлив здесь.I ty tozhe bud' schastliv zdes'.And you be happy here too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
