Здравствуйте, меня зовут
Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut
Здравствуйте, меня зовут (Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut) is the Russian way to say "hello, my name is".
This phrase is the standard way to introduce yourself in formal settings, such as business meetings or meeting elders.
What does it mean word for word?
The part меня зовут literally translates to "they call me".
Which one should you use?
While Здравствуйте, меня зовут is the formal version, you can use Привет, меня зовут to say "Hi, my name is" in more relaxed situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase меня зовут, the word меня is the accusative form of я (I). This form is required because the verb зовут (they call) takes a direct object.
How do you pronounce it?
Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut
Did you know?
- The formal greeting Здравствуйте contains a hidden blessing. It is etymologically rooted in the word здравие, meaning 'health', effectively making your first words to a stranger 'Be healthy'.
- In very formal Russian introductions, people often add their patronymic, which is a name derived from their father's first name, after their given name.
- If you introduce yourself using only your first name in a professional setting, you might accidentally signal that you are far more important or much closer to the person than is socially appropriate.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, меня зовут Анна. Я представляю компанию XYZHello, my name is Anna. I represent XYZ Company
- Привет, меня зовут Дмитрий. Рад познакомиться!Hi, my name is Dmitry. Nice to meet you!
- Здравствуйте, меня зовут Иван.Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut Ivan.Hello, my name is Ivan.
- Здравствуйте, меня зовут Анна, приятно познакомиться.Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut Anna, priyatno poznakomitsya.Hello, my name is Anna, nice to meet you.
Example conversation
A formal meeting between two colleagues in an office.
- Сергей SergeyЗдравствуйте, меня зовут Сергей.Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut Sergey.Hello, my name is Sergey.
- Мария MariaЗдравствуйте, Сергей. Меня зовут Мария.Zdravstvuyte, Sergey. Menya zovut Mariya.Hello, Sergey. My name is Maria.
- Сергей SergeyОчень приятно, Мария.Ochen' priyatno, Mariya.Very nice to meet you, Maria.
- Мария MariaВзаимно.Vzaimno.Likewise.
