здраво, како си
zdravo, kako si
The English phrase "hello, how are you" is translated into Serbian as здраво, како си (zdravo, kako si).
This phrase is a common greeting used to initiate a conversation and inquire about a person's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The part како си literally means "how are you" in the singular informal form.
Which one should you use?
The form како си is the informal way to ask how someone is, while како сте is the formal way to ask the same question.
How do you pronounce it?
zdravo, kako si
Did you know?
- A common, very informal alternative to здраво is ћао, which is borrowed from the Italian 'ciao' and is used for both arriving and leaving.
- The word здраво comes from the same root as the word 'health', so when you say 'hello' in Serbian, you are essentially wishing someone 'health'.
- In many parts of the Balkans, the response to 'how are you' is often a long, detailed update on one's life rather than a quick polite answer.
Examples in context
- Zdravo, kako ste? Ja sam Marko.Hello, how are you? I am Marko.
