всем привет
vsem privet
The Russian phrase for "hi guys" is всем привет (vsem privet).
всем привет is an informal greeting used to address a group of people.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of всем, meaning "to everyone" and привет, meaning "hi" or "greeting".
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English "hi guys", the Russian всем привет is gender-neutral and does not specifically imply a group of males.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrase is informal and is used with friends, colleagues or peers, rather than in formal business settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word всем is in the dative case, which is used here to indicate the recipients of the greeting.
How do you pronounce it?
vsem privet
Did you know?
- If you wanted to be more formal than всем привет, you would likely switch to здравствуйте, which literally carries the root of 'staying healthy'.
- If you were to use the word привет as a noun to describe a 'greeting' in a formal sense, it carries an ancient connotation of an 'intention' or a 'will'.
- Because всем привет is so versatile, it is frequently used by Russian vloggers and YouTubers as a standard opening for their videos to greet their entire audience.
Examples in context
- Всем привет, как дела?Vsem privet, kak dela?Hi guys, how are you?
- Всем привет, я пришёл!Vsem privet, ya prishol!Hi guys, I'm here!
- Всем привет, пойдёмте обедать.Vsem privet, poydyomte obedat'.Hi guys, let's go eat lunch.
Example conversation
Andrey arrives at a small social gathering where Olga is waiting.
- Ольга OlgaАндрей, ты скоро?Andrey, ty skoro?Andrey, are you coming soon?
- Андрей AndreyВсем привет, я уже здесь!Vsem privet, ya uzhe zdes'!Hi guys, I'm already here!
- Ольга OlgaНаконец-то ты пришёл.Nakonets-to ty prishol.You're finally here.
- Андрей AndreyПрости, я немного опоздал.Prosti, ya nemnogo opozdal.Sorry, I'm a little late.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries привет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
