Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| приве́т | privét |
| здоро́во | zdoróvo |
| здра́сте | zdráste |
These terms are used as friendly, informal greetings. приве́т is a common and versatile way to say hi to friends, family or acquaintances. If you are addressing a group of people, you can use Всем привет to say 'Hi, everyone'.
Which one should you use?
приве́т is a neutral informal greeting. In contrast, здоро́во is more rugged and slangy. здра́сте is a colloquial, shortened version of the formal здравствуйте.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
приве́т is the standard informal way to say 'hi' to peers and friends. здра́сте is used in casual settings because it is a shortened form of the formal version. здоро́во is a very informal, masculine-coded slang greeting often used between male friends. For comparison, the formal Здравствуйте is used in business settings or when addressing strangers, while Доброе утро (Good morning), Добрый день (Good day) and Добрый вечер (Good evening) are formal greetings used at specific times of day.
How do you pronounce it?
privét
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, it is common to avoid shaking hands across a threshold or doorway while saying приве́т, as this is traditionally considered bad luck.
- The word приве́т is used in Russian slang to mean 'a surprise' or 'a sudden shock', such as when something unexpected happens.
- While здоро́во is used as 'hi', it is spelled exactly like the adverb for 'healthy' or 'huge'. In a different context, it can describe a very large object.
Examples in context
- Здоро́во!Hi.This example shows the use of the slang greeting здоро́во.Tatoeba #3854188 by marafon, translation #538123 by CM
- Здравствуйте! Как ваши дела?Hello! How are you?
- Добрый день! Позвольте представиться.Good day! Allow me to introduce myself.
- Привет! Как дела?Hi! How are you?
- Здорово! Что нового?Hey! What's new?
- Приве́т, как дела?Privet, kak dela?Hi, how are you?
- Приве́т всем!Privet vsem!Hi everyone!
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Dmitry meet in a park.
- Мария MariaПриве́т, Дмитрий!Privet, Dmitriy!Hi, Dmitry!
- Дмитрий DmitryПриве́т, Мария. Как ты?Privet, Mariya. Kak ty?Hi, Maria. How are you?
- Мария MariaВсё хорошо, спасибо.Vsyo khorosho, spasibo.Everything is good, thanks.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ рад это слышать.Ya rad eto slyshat'.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hi” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
