Greetings & Farewells

Learn common Russian greetings and farewells

Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

Спокойной ночи. (Spokoynoy nochi.)

Доброе утро. (Dobroye utro.)

What do these words mean? Stick around.

In this quick lesson, you’ll learn basic Russian greetings that all beginners must know.

Before we start, do you know why often Russians avoid shaking hands through a doorway when greeting or saying goodbye?

Keep watching for the answer at the end.

Здравствуйте. (Zdravstvuyte.)

"Hello."

Здравствуйте. (Zdravstvuyte.)

The word Здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte) is a polite greeting in Russian. It comes from the Old Slavic word здравие (zdraviye), which means "health" and translates to "be healthy" or "I wish you health."

The word Здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte) is long, with many consonants in a row, some of which are not pronounced. In informal settings, this word is often shortened to здрасьте (zdras’te). It sounds quick and casual.

Jack greets Steve at a networking event.

Jack: Здравствуйте! Как поживаете? (Zdravstvuyte! Kak pozhivayete?)

Steve: Хорошо! А вы? (Khorosho! A vy?)

Спокойной ночи. (Spokoynoy nochi.)

"Goodnight."

Спокойной ночи. (Spokoynoy nochi.)

The literal translation of the phrase спокойной ночи into English would be "peaceful night."

Once, at my birthday party, my friend left earlier than the others. The fun was in full swing. I asked if she got home safely and wished her "good night" - Спокойной ночи (Spokoynoy nochi). She then wished us a not-so-peaceful night - неспокойной ночи (nespokoynoy nochi) in return. Which really means something like “have a crazy night.”

Steve calls Tom before going to bed.

Steve: Спокойной ночи. Было весело. (Spokoynoy nochi. Bylo veselo.)

Tom: Спокойной ночи. До завтра. (Spokoynoy nochi. Do zavtra.)

Доброе утро. (Dobroye utro.)

"Good morning."

Доброе утро. (Dobroye utro.)

Hardworking people joke, 'The morning might be good, but I’m not.' Start with coffee, a tasty breakfast, and some exercise—then you can wish your colleagues 'good morning' or Доброе утро (Dobroye utro).

The word добрый (dobryy) also describes someone's character, like добрый мужчина (dobryy muzhchina) – "a kind man."

Victoria greets her friends before heading out on a hiking trip.

Victoria: Всем доброе утро. (Vsem dobroye utro.)

Tom: Доброе утро! Рад тебя видеть. (Dobroye utro! Rad tebya videt'.)

Приятно познакомиться. (Priyatno poznakomit'sya.)

"Nice to meet you."

Приятно познакомиться. (Priyatno poznakomit'sya.)

There is another phrase similar to Приятно познакомиться (Priyatno poznakomit'sya).

Очень приятно (Ochen’ priyatno).

It has a broader meaning - "It's a pleasure."

Очень приятно (Ochen’ priyatno) can also be used to express gratitude or pleasure.

Karolina greets a new student.

Karolina: Приятно познакомиться. Пожалуйста, проходите. (Priyatno poznakomit'sya. Pozhaluysta, prokhodite.)

Gabriel: И мне приятно познакомиться. Спасибо. (I mne priyatno poznakomit'sya. Spasibo.)

Как дела? (Kak dela?)

"How are you?"

Как дела? (Kak dela?)

The phrase как дела? (Kak dela?) is an expression used to ask about someone's affairs, well-being, or mood. The word дела (dela), "affairs or matters," in this context originally could refer to how things were going in a broader sense - how events or tasks in a person’s life were unfolding.

Steve greets Tom at a party.

Steve: Рад тебя видеть! Как дела? (Rad tebya videt'! Kak dela?)

Tom: Хорошо! А у тебя? (Khorosho! A u tebya?)

До свидания. (Do svidaniya.)

"Goodbye."

До свидания. (Do svidaniya.)

Свидание (Svidaniye) originally meant "a meeting" or "encounter" and до свидания (Do svidaniya) literally translates to "until (the next) meeting."

Now, in Russia, the word Свидание (Svidaniye) means “a date.”

Jack says goodbye after meeting with Steve.

Jack: До свидания. Скоро увидимся! (Do svidaniya. Skoro uvidimsya!)

Steve: Обязательно. Береги себя! (Obyazatel'no. Beregi sebya!)

Let's review.

You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Russian.

Ready?

Do you remember how to say "Hello."?

Здравствуйте. (Zdravstvuyte.)

And how to say "Goodnight."?

Спокойной ночи. (Spokoynoy nochi.)

How about "Good morning."?

Доброе утро. (Dobroye utro.)

Do you remember how to say "Nice to meet you."?

Приятно познакомиться. (Priyatno poznakomit'sya.)

And how to say "How are you?"

Как дела? (Kak dela?)

And finally, do you remember how to say "Goodbye."?

До свидания. (Do svidaniya.)

Do you know why often Russians avoid shaking hands through a doorway when greeting or saying goodbye?

Russians believe it’s bad luck to shake hands or pass anything through a doorway. They think this might bring bad luck, so they step fully into a room or out of it before shaking hands!

Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time!

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