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Hello and Goodbye

Learn the friendly and polite ways to say hello and goodbye in Russian.

  • Define and explain Hello and Goodbye in your own words
  • Use key terms such as здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte) — hello (formal) accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

Saying hello is the first step to speaking any language. In Russian there are friendly greetings for your friends and polite greetings for grown-ups, and this chapter teaches you both. Soon you will be able to greet someone, ask how they are and introduce yourself — all in Russian!

This lesson focuses on Hello and Goodbye: learn the friendly and polite ways to say hello and goodbye in Russian.

Definition: Hello and Goodbye

Learn the friendly and polite ways to say hello and goodbye in Russian.

Key ideas

Formal and informal greetings

Russian has two levels of politeness. Use здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte — hello) and до свидания (do svidániya — goodbye) with adults and strangers, and привет (privét — hi) and пока (paká — bye) with friends. Choosing the right one shows respect, which matters a great deal in Russian culture.

Asking 'how are you?'

After hello, Russians often ask Как дела? (kak delá — how are things?). You can answer Хорошо, спасибо! (khoroshó, spasíbo — good, thank you!), Нормально (normál'no — okay) or Отлично! (otlíchnо — excellent!). Adding А у тебя? (a u tebyá — and how about you?) keeps the conversation going.

Key term — здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte) — hello (formal): The polite way to say hello to adults, teachers and strangers. The first В is silent, so it sounds like 'zdrA-stvooy-tye'.

Worked example: Hello and Goodbye

How do you say 'hello' formally in Russian?

Здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte).

Answer: Здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte).

Common mistakes
  • Saying привет to a teacher Привет (privét — hi) is only for friends. To a teacher or a stranger, say Здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte — hello).
  • Forgetting to answer Как дела? When someone asks Как дела? (kak delá — how are you?), always answer — Хорошо, спасибо! (khoroshó, spasíbo — good, thank you!) — and ask back with А у тебя? (a u tebyá — and you?).

Practice

What does до свидания mean?
You say it when you leave.

Goodbye (do svidániya).

Translate 'thank you' into Russian.
It starts with С and the stress is on the И.

Спасибо (spasíbo).

How do you say 'My name is Anna' in Russian?
Use Меня зовут… then the name.

Меня зовут Анна (menyá zovút Ánna — my name is Anna).

Which greeting do you use with a friend: привет or здравствуйте?
Friends get the short, friendly one.

Привет (privét — hi).

Quick check

Hello and Goodbye — quick check

Which of these best defines "здравствуйте (zdrávstvuyte) — hello (formal)"?

The polite way to say hello to adults, teachers and strangers. The first В is silent, so it sounds like 'zdrA-stvooy-tye'.

What can you answer when someone asks Как дела?

Any of Хорошо, спасибо! (khoroshó, spasíbo — good, thank you!), Нормально (normál'no — okay) or Отлично! (otlíchnо — excellent!).
Key takeaways
  • Hello and Goodbye: learn the friendly and polite ways to say hello and goodbye in Russian.
  • Formal and informal greetings: Russian has two levels of politeness.
  • привет (privét) — hi: The friendly, informal hello for friends and family.
  • Watch out for: saying привет to a teacher
How Are You? →Back to Grade 7 chaptersRelated resources →