приветствия
privetstviya
The English phrase "greetings" is translated into Russian as приветствия (privetstviya).
While it describes the concept of greetings, in everyday life, Russians use specific phrases to actually say hello, such as the formal Здравствуйте (Hello) or the informal Привет (Hi/Hello).
Meaning: formal way of saying "hello" (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is derived from the verb приветствовать, which means 'to greet'.
Which one should you use?
приветствия is the plural form used in formal or literary contexts to describe the act of exchanging salutations. In contrast, the word привет is the common, informal way to say 'hi'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is приветствие.
How do you pronounce it?
privetstviya
When do people say it?
When greeting someone in the morning, you can use Доброе утро (Good morning), which is appropriate until around noon. In the evening or at night, use Добрый вечер (Good evening).
Did you know?
- In Russia, it is traditionally considered bad luck to say Здравствуйте or exchange 'greetings' while standing in a doorway, as the threshold is seen as a boundary between two worlds.
- In many Russian-speaking cultures, it is considered impolite to shake hands with someone if there is a table between you, even if you are saying 'hello'.
- The formal greeting Здравствуйте is built upon the root of the word 'health', meaning it can be interpreted as a wish for the person to 'be healthy'.
Examples in context
- Мы обменялись приветствиями.We exchanged greetings.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the plural form приветствия in a sentence.Tatoeba #1944874 by sharptoothed, translation #247848 by CK
- Его официальные приветствия были очень вежливыми.Yego ofitsial'nyye privetstviya byli ochen' vezhlivymi.His formal greetings were very polite.
- Она не любит формальные приветствия.Ona ne lyubit formal'nyye privetstviya.She does not like formal greetings.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Anastasia are discussing a business email.
- Дмитрий DmitryКак мне начать это письмо?Kak mne nachat' eto pis'mo?How should I start this letter?
- Анастасия AnastasiaИспользуйте стандартные приветствия для клиента.Ispol'zuyte standartnye privetstviya dlya kliyenta.Use standard greetings for the client.
- Дмитрий DmitryХорошо, я напишу «Здравствуйте».Khorosho, ya napishu "Zdravstvuyte".Okay, I will write "Hello".
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, это будет подходящий вариант.Da, eto budet podkhodyashchiy variant.Yes, that will be a suitable option.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
