What does it mean word for word?
The word здравствуйте is literally an imperative meaning "be healthy" or "stay healthy". In the phrase как дела?, the word дела is the plural form of дело, which means "affair", "matter" or "business".
Which one should you use?
The phrase здравствуйте is the formal version used when addressing elders, strangers or in professional settings. In contrast, the informal version привет, как дела? is used with friends and peers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Здравствуйте can be used in any formal setting, such as meeting someone for the first time or addressing someone in a senior position. Conversely, как дела? is a common way to ask how someone is doing informally.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word дела in как дела? is the plural form of дело (affair/matter/business).
How do you pronounce it?
zdravstvuyte, kak dela?
When do people say it?
When someone asks как дела?, a common response is хорошо, спасибо (good, thank you).
Did you know?
- In some Russian circles, answering как дела? with хорошо ('good') is seen as bragging or tempting fate, leading some to prefer the more modest потихоньку ('slowly/bit by bit').
- If a Russian answers как дела? with ничего, they are not saying 'nothing'. In this context, ничего actually means 'not bad' or 'fine'.
- While English speakers often smile when saying 'hello, how are you?', a Russian saying здравствуйте in a formal setting may maintain a neutral or serious facial expression to show respect.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, как поживаете?Hello, how are you?
- Привет, как дела?Hi, how are things?
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry meet at a cafe.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, здравствуйте, как дела?Dmitriy, zdravstvuyte, kak dela?Dmitry, hello, how are you?
- Сергей SergeyЗдравствуйте, Ольга! Всё хорошо.Zdravstvuyte, Ol'ga! Vsyo khorosho.Hello, Olga! Everything is good.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ рада это слышать.Ya rada eto slyshat'.I am glad to hear that.
- Сергей SergeyСпасибо, а у вас?Spasibo, a u vas?Thank you, and you?
