привет, ребята
privet, rebyata
The English phrase "hello, guys" is translated into Russian as привет, ребята (privet, rebyata).
привет, ребята is a commonly used informal way to say "hello, guys" in Russian.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English "guys", which is often gender-neutral, ребята is used to address a mixed-gender group of friends or a group of boys.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
привет, ребята is an informal greeting. For a general and polite way to say "Hello, guys" that shows more respect or distance, you can use the formal Здравствуйте, ребята. Another polite option is Добрый день, друзья, which translates to "Good day, friends". In very informal settings, you might use the playful and upbeat Здорово, ребятки or the informal term ребятки for "guys".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Йоу, ребят! is an informal way to say "Hello, guys" used in certain regions.
How do you pronounce it?
privet, rebyata
Did you know?
- The word ребята is actually the plural form of ребёнок, which means 'child'.
- While привет is the standard informal 'hello', it is used as a noun meaning 'regards' when you ask someone to передавай привет and pass on your greetings to a third party.
- Using привет with a superior or a stranger can be seen as a significant social faux pas in Russia, much more so than using 'hi' in English.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, ребята! Как ваш день проходит?Hello, guys! How is your day going?
- Добрый день, друзья! Как прошла ваша поездка?Good day, guys! How was your trip?
- Привет, ребята! Как дела?Hey, guys! How are you doing?
- Здорово, ребятки! Есть какие-то интересные планы на выходные?Hey, guys! Any interesting plans for the weekend?
- Привет, ребята!Privet, rebyata!Hello, guys!
- Привет, ребята, как дела?Privet, rebyata, kak dela?Hello, guys, how are you?
- Ну, привет, ребята, давно не виделись.Nu, privet, rebyata, davno ne videlis'.Well, hello, guys, long time no see.
Example conversation
Sergei enters a room where Olga and their friends are sitting.
- Сергей SergeyПривет, ребята! Что делаете?Privet, rebyata! Chto delayete?Hello, guys! What are you doing?
- Ольга OlgaПривет, Сергей! Мы смотрим фильм.Privet, Sergey! My smotrim fil'm.Hello, Sergei! We are watching a movie.
- Сергей SergeyО, круто! Можно с вами?O, kruto! Mozhno s vami?Oh, cool! Can I join you?
- Ольга OlgaКонечно, садись рядом.Konechno, sadis ryadom.Of course, sit next to us.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries привет, ребята, CC BY-SA 4.0.
