What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from здраве (zdrave), meaning health and works as a wish for the other person's health.
Which one should you use?
Use здравейте for a group or to be formal with one person. здравей (zdravey) is for one person in an informal setting, and Здрасти is a casual hi.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Здравейте and Добър ден are formal greetings. Здрасти and Здравей are informal, and the informal question how are you is Как си?
How does it change in a sentence?
здравейте is the plural and polite form, and здравей is the singular informal form.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced zdraveyte.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Здравей with a stranger or in a formal setting. Use Здравейте instead.
When do people say it?
A typical reply to Здравейте, как сте? is Добре, благодаря, meaning I'm fine, thank you. Among friends the reply to Как си? is Добре съм. When addressing someone politely, use господин for Mr. and госпожа for Mrs. or Ms.
Did you know?
- The word здравейте is an imperative verb, meaning that every time you say 'hello' in this form, you are literally commanding the other person to 'be healthy'.
- The root word здраве shares a common linguistic ancestor with the English word 'health' through the ancient Indo-European root for 'whole' or 'uninjured'.
- While здравейте is the standard formal greeting, Bulgarians often use the word здраве in other contexts to express total well-being, and the phrase на здраве is used as a toast similar to 'cheers'.
Examples in context
- Здравейте, как сте днес?Zdraveyte, kak ste dnes?Hello, how are you today?
- Здравейте, моля, кажете ми името ви.Zdraveyte, molya, kazhete mi imeto vi.Hello, please tell me your name.
Example conversation
Victoria enters a professional office to meet Georgi.
- Виктория ViktoriyaЗдравейте, Георги!Zdraveyte, Georgi!Hello, Georgi!
- Георги GeorgiЗдравейте, Виктория. Заповяйте.Zdraveyte, Viktoriya. Zapovyayte.Hello, Victoria. Please, come in.
- Виктория ViktoriyaБлагодаря за посрещането.Blagodarya za posrechtaneto.Thank you for the welcome.
- Георги GeorgiНяма защо, започвайте.Nyama za shto, zapochvayte.You're welcome, let's begin.
