приві́т
pryvít
In Ukrainian, hi is expressed as приві́т (pryvít). Wiktionary also lists се́рвус (sérvus).
Meaning: friendly, informal greeting (intj)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| приві́т | pryvít |
| се́рвус | sérvus |
The term привіт is a common and versatile informal way to say hi or hello in Ukrainian.
Which one should you use?
While привіт is the standard informal way to say hi, сервус is a more casual, slightly old-fashioned or playful slang version of the greeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
привіт is used for informal situations. For formal settings, such as when speaking to strangers or elders, you should use phrases like Добрий день (Good day) or Здрастуйте (Hello/Greetings). сервус is even more casual and is considered colloquial slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word сервус is more commonly heard in Western Ukrainian dialects or among people from that region. In the Carpathian Mountains, you may also hear the local variation Вітаю тя used among friends and family.
How do you pronounce it?
pryvít
Did you know?
- The slang greeting сервус is not native to Ukraine but was borrowed from the Latin word servus, meaning 'slave' or 'servant'. It entered Ukrainian via Hungarian and Romanian influences in Western regions.
- The formal greeting Здрастуйте shares a root with the word for 'health'. Essentially, when you say hello formally, you are wishing the other person that they 'stay healthy'.
- The word приві́т is closely related to the word приві́тати, which means 'to congratulate'. This links the act of greeting someone with the act of celebrating them.
Examples in context
- Приві́т, як справи?Privit, yak spravy?Hi, how are things?
- Приві́т усім моїм друзям!Privit usim moim druziam!Hi to all my friends!
Example conversation
Nataliia and Serhii meet at a local park.
- Наталія NataliiaПриві́т, Сергію!Privit, Serhiiu!Hi, Serhii!
- Сергій SerhiiПриві́т, Наталіє! Як ти?Privit, Nataliie! Yak ty?Hi, Nataliia! How are you?
- Наталія NataliiaВсе добре, дякую.Vse dobre, diakuiu.Everything is good, thank you.
- Сергій SerhiiРадий це чути.Radii tse chuty.Glad to hear that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hi” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
