Здравствуй, любовь моя
zdravstvuy, lyubov' moya
To say "hello, my love" in Russian, you use Здравствуй, любовь моя (zdravstvuy, lyubov' moya).
This phrase is an affectionate greeting used to address a romantic partner.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Здравствуй literally means "be healthy" and is the singular, informal form of "hello", while любовь моя translates to "love mine".
Which one should you use?
Using the formal Здравствуйте instead of Здравствуй would create a jarring clash between a formal greeting and an intimate term of endearment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word order любовь моя (love mine) is a poetic or highly affectionate inversion of the standard моя любовь (my love).
How do you pronounce it?
zdravstvuy, lyubov' moya
Did you know?
- The word любовь shares an ancient ancestor with the Sanskrit word lobha, which means 'desire' or 'greed'.
- The greeting Здравствуй is functionally an imperative command, meaning 'be healthy' or 'prosper'.
Examples in context
- Здравствуй, любовь моя, я так скучал.Zdravstvuy, lyubov moya, ya tak skuchal.Hello, my love, I missed you so much.
- Здравствуй, любовь моя, как прошел твой день?Zdravstvuy, lyubov moya, kak proshel tvoy den'?Hello, my love, how was your day?
- Здравствуй, любовь моя, ты выглядишь прекрасно.Zdravstvuy, lyubov moya, ty vyglidish' prekrasno.Hello, my love, you look wonderful.
Example conversation
Alexander arrives home and greets Olga.
- Александр AleksandrЗдравствуй, любовь моя!Zdravstvuy, lyubov moya!Hello, my love!
- Ольга OlgaПривет, дорогой! Как прошел день?Privet, dorogoy! Kak proshel den'?Hi, dear! How was your day?
- Александр AleksandrВсе было отлично, а ты как?Vse bylo otlichno, a ty kak?Everything was great, and you?
- Ольга OlgaЯ тоже в порядке, спасибо.Ya tozhe v poryadke, spasibo.I am also doing well, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries здравствуй, любовь, CC BY-SA 4.0.
