добрий день
dobryi den
The English phrase "hello formally" is translated into Ukrainian as добрий день (dobryi den).
добрий день is a polite greeting used during daylight hours. It is appropriate for professional settings or respectful social interactions. Depending on the time of day, you might use other formal greetings: Доброго ранку is used before noon, Доброго дня is used from noon until evening and Добрий вечір is suitable for the nighttime.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective добрий (good) and the noun день (day).
Which one should you use?
While добрий день is a standard formal greeting, the informal equivalent used with friends and family is привіт.
How does it change in a sentence?
In certain contexts, particularly in written greetings or specific regional variations, the phrase may appear in the genitive case as доброго дня.
How do you pronounce it?
dobryi den
When do people say it?
Вітаю is another greeting that is often used to welcome someone or to express congratulations. When meeting someone new, you can say Дуже приємно познайомитися, which means "Nice to meet you".
Did you know?
- The word день in the greeting shares an ancient root with the Sanskrit word 'dina', meaning 'day'. This connects the simple Ukrainian greeting to one of the oldest documented languages in the world.
- In Ukraine, it is common practice to shake hands when saying добрий день in a business setting, but only after making direct eye contact.
- Using the formal добрий день with a very close friend or a child can sometimes be interpreted as a joke or a sign of mock-formality rather than a sincere greeting.
Examples in context
- Добрий день, як ваші справи?Dobryi den', yak vashi spravy?Good day, how are you doing?
- Добрий день, пане директоре.Dobryi den', pane dyrektore.Good day, Mr. Director.
Example conversation
Serhii and Olena meet at a business conference.
- Сергій SerhiiДобрий день, Олено!Dobryi den, Oleno!Good day, Olena!
- Олена OlenaДобрий день, Сергію!Dobryi den, Serhiiu!Good day, Serhii!
- Сергій SerhiiРадий вас бачити.Radyi vas bachyty.I am glad to see you.
- Олена OlenaЯ теж рада вас бачити.Ya tezh rada vas bachyty.I am glad to see you too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries день, добрий, добрий день, CC BY-SA 4.0.
