Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать
Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat
In Russian, "hello welcome" is expressed as Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать (Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat).
This phrase is a polite greeting used to welcome someone to a place or an event. Depending on the time of day, you might choose other greetings such as Доброе утро (good morning) until around noon, Добрый день (good afternoon) from noon until evening or Добрый вечер (good evening) after sunset.
What does it mean word for word?
The greeting Здравствуйте literally means "be healthy" or "stay healthy". The phrase добро пожаловать literally translates to "good to come" or "come with goodness".
Which one should you use?
While Здравствуйте is the formal way to say hello, Привет is the informal way used to say "hi" to friends or children. Добро пожаловать is the formal way to say welcome.
How does it change in a sentence?
Здравствуйте is used for formal or plural addresses. The phrase добро пожаловать is an adverbial construction and does not change its form based on the gender or number of the person being welcomed.
How do you pronounce it?
Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat
Did you know?
- In Russia, it is common to avoid shaking hands across a threshold or doorway while saying добро пожаловать. Doing so is traditionally believed to bring bad luck or cause an argument.
- The verb inside пожаловать shares an ancient root with the word 'complain' or 'lament' in English, though in Russian it has evolved to mean 'to bestow' or 'to grant'.
- Although Здравствуйте is the standard formal greeting, Russians often use a shortened, faster version in casual professional settings that sounds like Здрасьте, dropping the first few vowels.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать в наш офис.Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat' v nash ofis.Hello, welcome to our office.
- Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать на наш праздник!Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat' na nash prazdnik!Hello, welcome to our celebration!
- Здравствуйте, добро пожаловать в наш новый дом.Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat' v nash novyy dom.Hello, welcome to our new home.
Example conversation
Maria welcomes Alexander to a gallery exhibition.
- Мария MariaЗдравствуйте, добро пожаловать на выставку!Zdravstvuyte, dobro pozhalovat' na vystavku!Hello, welcome to the exhibition!
- Александр AleksandrСпасибо большое, Мария.Spasibo bol'shoye, Mariya.Thank you very much, Maria.
- Мария MariaВы хотите посмотреть картины?Vy khotite posmotret' kartiny?Would you like to see the paintings?
- Александр AleksandrДа, с удовольствием.Da, s udovol'stviyem.Yes, with pleasure.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries добро, пожаловать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
