Привет, мам
The English phrase "hi mum" is translated into Russian as Привет, мам.
Which one should you use?
While Привет, мам is an informal greeting used with family or close friends, Здравствуй, мама would be a more formal or standard way to say "Hello, mother".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Привет, мам, the word for mom is in the vocative/accusative form мам rather than the nominative мама because it is being used as a direct address.
Did you know?
- The form мам is a remnant of the vocative case, a special grammatical case used specifically for calling someone, which has almost entirely disappeared from modern Russian except in a few words.
- The word привет was originally not just a greeting, but a term used to describe one's 'will' or 'intention' in Old East Slavic.
- If a Russian speaker wants to be extremely affectionate, they might replace Привет, мам with Приветик, a diminutive form of 'hi' that sounds 'cute' or 'sweet'.
Examples in context
- Привет, мама! Как прошел твой день?Hi, Mum! How was your day?
- Здравствуй, мамочка! Как ты себя чувствуешь?Hello, Mum! How are you feeling?
- Привет, мам, как дела?Privet, mam, kak dela?Hi mum, how are you?
- Привет, мам, я уже дома.Privet, mam, ya uzhe doma.Hi mum, I am home already.
- Привет, мам, посмотри на это!Privet, mam, posmotri na eto!Hi mum, look at this!
Example conversation
Andrey enters the kitchen where his mother is cooking.
- Андрей AndreyПривет, мам!Privet, mam!Hi mum!
- Анастасия AnastasiaПривет, Андрей. Ты голоден?Privet, Andrey. Ty goloden?Hi, Andrey. Are you hungry?
- Андрей AndreyДа, очень.Da, ochen'.Yes, very.
- Анастасия AnastasiaОбед скоро будет готов.Obed skoro budet gotov.Lunch will be ready soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries привет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
