привет и пока
privet i poka
The phrase привет и пока (privet i poka) is the Russian way to say hello and goodbye.
Informal greetings used when arriving and leaving.
What does it mean word for word?
привет means 'hi' or 'hello', и means 'and'.
Which one should you use?
While привет и пока is used for casual settings, the formal counterpart is здравствуйте и до свидания.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase привет и пока is informal and should only be used with friends, family or peers. For a standard formal way to say hello, use Здравствуйте. For specific times of day, you can use Доброе утро for Good morning or Добрый вечер for Good evening.
How do you pronounce it?
privet i poka
Did you know?
- While привет is a standard friendly greeting, its ancient root referred not just to a greeting, but to a person's 'will' or 'intention'.
- Depending on the tone, пока can be used as a way to dismiss someone abruptly, similar to saying 'that is all' in English.
- The word привет can also be used as a noun to mean 'regards', as in 'give my regards to your parents'.
Examples in context
- Все говорят привет и пока.Vse govoryat privet i poka.Everyone says hello and goodbye.
- Я учу эти слова: привет и пока.Ya uchú eti slova: privet i poka.I am learning these words: hello and goodbye.
Example conversation
Olga and Andrey pass each other quickly in a hallway.
- Ольга OlgaПривет, Андрей!Privet, Andrey!Hi, Andrey!
- Андрей AndreyПривет, Ольга!Privet, Olga!Hi, Olga!
- Ольга OlgaЯ спешу, так что привет и пока!Ya speshu, tak chto privet i poka!I'm in a hurry, so hello and goodbye!
- Андрей AndreyХорошо, пока!Khorosho, poka!Okay, bye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries и, пока, привет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
