привіт і ласкаво просимо
pryvit i laskavo prosymo
In Ukrainian, "hello and welcome" is expressed as привіт і ласкаво просимо (pryvit i laskavo prosymo).
This phrase is a friendly greeting used when receiving guests or newcomers to a specific place or event.
What does it mean word for word?
The component ласкаво просимо literally means "kindly we ask [you] to come".
Which one should you use?
The form привіт і ласкаво просимо is informal because it uses привіт (hello). For professional settings or formal speeches, use вітаємо і ласкаво просимо, which replaces the casual hello with вітаємо (we greet/congratulate).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Western Ukraine, the expression Здоровенькі були! is used to mean "Welcome!" or "Greetings!"
How do you pronounce it?
pryvit i laskavo prosymo
Did you know?
- In Ukrainian culture, the act of welcoming a guest is traditionally linked to the 'bread and salt' ceremony, where guests are greeted with a loaf of bread and a salt cellar on a cloth towel.
- The regional greeting Здоровенькі були! used in Western Ukraine literally translates to 'you were healthy', phrased in the past tense to imply a wish for lasting health.
- The word привіт shares a common ancestor with the word 'will' or 'intention', implying that a greeting is an expression of one's intent toward another.
Examples in context
- Вітаю тебе!I welcome you!
- Привіт і ласкаво просимо до нашого дому!Pryvit i laskavo prosymo do nashoho domu!Hello and welcome to our home!
- Привіт і ласкаво просимо до нашого клубу.Pryvit i laskavo prosymo do nashoho klubu.Hello and welcome to our club.
Example conversation
Iryna greets Oleksandr at the door of her home.
- Ірина IrynaПривіт і ласкаво просимо, Олександре!Pryvit i laskavo prosymo, Oleksandre!Hello and welcome, Oleksandr!
- Олександр OleksandrДякую, Ірино! Дуже радий бути тут.Diakuiu, Iryno! Duzhe radyi buty tut.Thank you, Iryna! I am very glad to be here.
- Ірина IrynaПроходь, будь ласка, до вітальні.Prokhod, bud laska, do vitalni.Please, come through to the living room.
- Олександр OleksandrЗ радістю, у тебе чудовий будинок.Z radistiu, u tebe chudovyi budynok.With pleasure, you have a wonderful house.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ласкаво, привіт, і, CC BY-SA 4.0.
