Здраво, како си?
zdravo, kako si?[ˈzdravɔ ˈkakɔ si]word by word
Здраво, како си? (zdravo, kako si?) is the Macedonian way to say "hi, how are you?"
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about someone's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
Здраво means "Hello", and како means "How".
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice between the forms depends on the level of formality and the number of people you are addressing. Use the singular informal Здраво, како си? for one person you know well, but use the formal or plural Здраво, како сте? when addressing a group or someone you wish to show respect to.
How do you pronounce it?
zdravo, kako si?
Did you know?
- Even though Здраво is the common way to start, the word itself is rooted in the concept of 'health', making your greeting a wish for the person's wellness.
- When greeting a close friend, Macedonians may bypass како си? and instead use Што правиш?, which literally means 'What are you doing?' but functions as 'How is it going?'
- In Macedonia, a greeting is often accompanied by a handshake, but in very informal settings among friends, a lighter touch or a nod is common.
Examples in context
- Здраво, како си?Zdravo, kako si?Hi, how are you?
