привет, товарищ
privet, tovarishch
The English phrase "hi comrade" is translated into Russian as привет, товарищ (privet, tovarishch).
This phrase is an informal greeting used to address a fellow member of a political party or a social peer. While the word товарищ was historically used as a formal address in Soviet political contexts, pairing it with the informal привет creates a colloquial or even ironic tone in modern Russian.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of привет, which means "hi" or "hello" and товарищ, which means "comrade" or "companion".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of привет makes this greeting informal. This stands in contrast to the formal greeting Здравствуйте, товарищ, which is a respectful way to address someone using the term "comrade".
How do you pronounce it?
privet, tovarishch
Did you know?
- The root of товарищ comes from товар, which means 'goods' or 'merchandise'. Historically, the word referred to people who shared the same goods or traveled together in a merchant caravan.
- In modern Russia, using товарищ in a non-ironic way is mostly restricted to the military and police forces.
- The word привет can be used as a noun to mean 'regards'. For example, one can say 'send my привет to your family' without actually being present to greet them.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, товарищ. Как ваши дела?Hello comrade. How are you?
- Привет, товарищ, рад тебя видеть.Privet, tovarishch, rad tebya videt'.Hi comrade, glad to see you.
- Привет, товарищ, ты готов к собранию?Privet, tovarishch, ty gotov k sobraniyu?Hi comrade, are you ready for the meeting?
Example conversation
Two party members meet in a hallway.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПривет, товарищ Александр!Privet, tovarishch Aleksandr!Hi comrade Alexander!
- Александр AleksandrПривет, Анастасия! Рад тебя видеть.Privet, Anastasiya! Rad tebya videt.Hi Anastasia! I am glad to see you.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТы уже читал новый указ?Ty uzhe chital novyy ukaz?Have you read the new decree yet?
- Александр AleksandrДа, всё очень интересно.Da, vsyo ochen interesno.Yes, it is all very interesting.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries привет, товарищ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
