поздороваться
pozdorovat'sya
To say hello in Russian is поздороваться (pozdorovat'sya).
The phrase refers to the act of greeting someone when meeting them. Because the verb is perfective, it describes the completed act of greeting someone rather than the ongoing process of greeting.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb in the past tense, the form changes depending on the gender and number of the subject: поздоровался is used for a masculine subject, поздоровалась is used for a feminine subject and поздоровались is used for a plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
pozdorovat'sya
When do people say it?
In Russia, it is common to shake hands when greeting someone formally.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Russia, if you shake hands to поздороваться, you must do so indoors. Shaking hands across a threshold of a doorway is widely considered a bad omen that brings domestic strife.
- When shaking hands to поздороваться, you should never do so while wearing gloves. It is considered a sign of disrespect or bad luck in many Russian social circles.
- In Russian, the formal 'hello' Здравствуйте is not just a greeting but a command. It is the imperative form of a verb, which is why it translates literally to 'be healthy'.
Examples in context
- Добрый день, как ваши дела?Good day, how are you?
- Добрый вечер, рад вас видеть.Good evening, nice to see you.
- Привет! Как дела?Hey! How are you?
- Здравствуй, давно не виделись!Hello, long time no see!
- Приветик, как настроение?Hi, how's your mood?
- Не забудь поздороваться с учителем.Ne zabud pozdorovat'sya s uchitelem.Don't forget to say hello to the teacher.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are at a social gathering.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, ты должна поздороваться с моим боссом.Ol'ga, ty dolzhna pozdorovat'sya s moim bossom.Olga, you should say hello to my boss.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, я сейчас это сделаю.Khorosho, ya seychas eto sdelayu.Okay, I will do that now.
- Александр AleksandrПодойди к нему и поздоровайся.Podoydi k nemu i pozdorovays'sya.Go up to him and say hello.
- Ольга OlgaЯ немного волнуюсь.Ya nemnogo vol'nuyus'.I am a little nervous.
