да здравствует матушка Россия
da zdravstvuyet matushka Rossiya
The English phrase "long live mother russia" is translated into Russian as да здравствует матушка Россия (da zdravstvuyet matushka Rossiya).
This phrase is a patriotic exclamation used to express a wish for the continued prosperity and strength of Russia.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase да здравствует literally translates to "let [it] be healthy" or "may [it] thrive". The word матушка is a diminutive, affectionate or archaic form of the word for mother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase да здравствует матушка Россия carries a highly formal, solemn and patriotic register, often used in ceremonial or nationalistic contexts. A variation, Да здравствует Россия-Матушка!, is also a formal and respectful way to express the same sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb здравствует is in the third-person singular present tense to agree with the singular subject матушка Россия.
How do you pronounce it?
da zdravstvuyet matushka Rossiya
Did you know?
- The word здравствует is the same root found in the common greeting Здравствуйте, which literally means 'be healthy'.
- The earliest known Cyrillic spelling of Россия appears in a 1387 transcription of an ascetic treatise called 'The Ladder of Divine Ascent'.
- The word здравствует comes from the same root as здоровье, meaning 'health'. Wishing for the country to be 'healthy' is the standard way to express the English concept of 'long live'.
Examples in context
- Все кричали: «Да здравствует матушка Россия!»Vse krichali: "Da zdravstvuyet matushka Rossiya!"Everyone was shouting, "Long live mother Russia!"
Example conversation
A patriotic ceremony in a city square.
- Мария MariaАндрей, ты готов к празднику?Andrey, ty gotov k prazdniku?Andrey, are you ready for the holiday?
- Андрей AndreyДа, Мария. Я буду кричать: «Да здравствует матушка Россия!»Da, Mariya. Ya budu krichat': "Da zdravstvuyet matushka Rossiya!"Yes, Maria. I will shout, "Long live mother Russia!"
- Мария MariaЭто очень сильные слова.Eto ochen' sil'nye slova.Those are very powerful words.
- Андрей AndreyКонечно, ведь это наша страна.Konechno, ved' eto nasha strana.Of course, after all, it is our country.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Россия, да, матушка, CC BY-SA 4.0.
