How to Say "Hello" in Russian 👋

Master formal, informal, and phone greetings in Russian

Russian has a few different "hellos," depending on formality and context. Start with these essentials.

The 2 Most Common Hellos

Здра́вствуйте (ZDRAV-stvooy-tyeh) — formal "hello"

Common short street form: Здра́сьте (ZDRAS'-teh)

Приве́т (pree-VYET) — informal "hi" (friends, family, classmates)

💡 Quick rule: If you'd call the person Mr./Ms. in English, say Здра́вствуйте. Otherwise, Приве́т is fine.

Time-of-Day Greetings

(polite & safe anywhere)

🌅 До́брое у́тро (DOB-rah-ye OO-trah) — Good morning

☀️ До́брый день (DOHB-riy den) — Good afternoon / Hello

🌙 До́брый ве́чер (DOHB-riy VYE-cher) — Good evening

If you're unsure which to use, До́брый день is the safest "hello."

On the Phone 📞

Алло́? (ah-LOH?) — "Hello?" (answering the phone)

Да? (dah?) — "Yes?" (often used when picking up)

Слу́шаю (SLOO-sha-yoo) — "I'm listening" (very polite/service tone)

Extra Casual (Friends Only) 😎

Всем приве́т! (fsem pree-VYET!) — Hi everyone!

Приве́тик (pree-VYE-teek) — playful "hiii"

Йо (yo) — super casual, borrowed from English

Mini Dialogues 💬

Formal, first meeting

— Здра́вствуйте, вы Мари́я? (ZDRAV-stvooy-tyeh, vih mah-REE-ya?)
— Hello, are you Maria?

— Да, здра́вствуйте. (dah, ZDRAV-stvooy-tyeh.)
— Yes, hello.

Informal, friends

— Приве́т! Как дела́? (pree-VYET! kahk dee-LAH?)
— Hi! How are you?

— Приве́т! Норма́льно. (pree-VYET! nar-MAHL-na.)
— Hey! I'm fine.

At work / in a shop

— До́брый день. Мо́жно вопро́с? (DOHB-riy den. MOHZH-nah vah-PROS?)
— Good afternoon. May I ask a question?

— Здра́вствуйте. Коне́чно. (ZDRAV-stvooy-tyeh. kah-NYESH-nah.)
— Hello. Of course.

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Politeness & Tips 🎩

Don't use Приве́т in formal emails or first-time professional chats—use Здра́вствуйте or До́брый день.
The short Здра́сьте is fine in casual speech.
Smile + eye contact + Здра́вствуйте = a perfect first impression.

Email starters:

Здра́вствуйте, Ива́н Ива́нович,
До́брый день, Мари́я,

Practice Out Loud 🗣️

Call-and-response exercises:

A: Здра́вствуйте! (ZDRAV-stvooy-tyeh!)

B: Здра́вствуйте! Как вы? (ZDRAV-stvooy-tyeh! kahk vih?)

A: Приве́т! (pree-VYET!)

B: Приве́т! Как дела́? (pree-VYET! kahk dee-LAH?)

A: До́брый день! (DOHB-riy den!)

B: До́брый день! Рад(а) вас ви́деть. (DOHB-riy den! RAD(a) vahs VEE-dyet'.)

Use Рад if you're male, Ра́да if you're female — "Glad to see you."

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