Да здравствует Родина
Da zdravstvuyet Rodina
The English phrase "long live the motherland" is translated into Russian as Да здравствует Родина (Da zdravstvuyet Rodina).
This is a patriotic exclamation used to express a wish for the continued prosperity and endurance of one's native country.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally constructed from Да (may or let), здравствует (be healthy or prosper) and Родина (Motherland).
Is it said differently in some regions?
This phrase is used across Russia.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb здравствует is in the third-person singular present tense, which is used here to express a wish or a command.
How do you pronounce it?
Da zdravstvuyet Rodina
Did you know?
- The formal greeting здравствуйте is actually a version of the same wish for health found in Да здравствует Родина. When a Russian person says 'hello', they are literally telling you 'be healthy'.
- The word Родина carries a much deeper sense of family than the English 'motherland'. Because it comes from the root род, it implies that the country is not just a place of birth, but a part of your actual blood lineage and kin.
- The particle Да used at the start of this phrase is not the same as the modern 'yes'. In this specific grammatical structure, it functions as an ancient particle used to express a wish or a command, much like the English 'may'.
Examples in context
- Да здравствует Родина, наш великий край!Da zdravstvuyet Rodina, nash velikiy kray!Long live the motherland, our great land!
- Мы кричим: «Да здравствует Родина!»My krichim: "Da zdravstvuyet Rodina!"We shout: "Long live the motherland!"
Example conversation
Sergei and Anastasia are at a public holiday celebration.
- Сергей SergeyДа здравствует Родина!Da zdravstvuyet Rodina!Long live the motherland!
- Анастасия AnastasiaУра! Пусть она всегда процветает.Ura! Pust' ona vsegda protsvetayet.Hurrah! May she always prosper.
- Сергей SergeyТы так воодушевлена сегодня, Анастасия.Ty tak voodushevlena segodnya, Anastasiya.You are so inspired today, Anastasia.
- Анастасия AnastasiaКонечно, Сергей, это важный праздник.Konechno, Sergey, eto vazhnyy prazdnik.Of course, Sergei, it is an important holiday.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries да, родина, CC BY-SA 4.0.
