Greetings used in the Russian language Hi! I've learned some basic Russian greetings like a simple hi: привет to как вы поживаете and как поживаешь where I'm under the impression that the first o

Cesar Lopez

Greetings used in the Russian language Hi! I've learned some basic Russian greetings like a simple hi: привет to как вы поживаете and как поживаешь where I'm under the impression that the first one is a formal one, and the second is informal (similar to the difference between "Sie" and "Du" in German or "Usted" and "Tu" in Spanish... (that's why I love English, you use "you" for everyone! ha ha) Having said that, could you give me several variations? What is actually used in Russia or Russian speaking countries? Among friends, relatives, people you don't know that much, etc.? Thank you! I'm looking for variations like: Hey! How are you? (both formal and informal) How's it going? What's up? Nice meeting you (both formal and informal) And also how to say good bye both formal and informal (apart from dasvedania) See you! See you later! Have a good one! Bye! Pleased to have met you. Hope to see you again (more formal) And also plural, for example, a "how are you?" if you meet, for example, two or more people you know, and two people you don't know (husband and wife, brothers, sisters) Thanks!

Feb 17, 2012 8:48 PM

Answers · 7

1. Formal. When greeting a stranger or someone who you don't know well you should apply in plural ("вы" instead of "ты"); you may say: Здравствуйте! = Hello! Добрый день! = Good afternoon! (unlike English greeting, you may say this in the morning also, it sounds ok) Доброе утро! = Good morning! (we usually say this in the early morning, after waking up) Добрый вечер! = Good evening! (you may say it approximately after 5 pm, though there is no strict rule about it) When talking with a little known person, to ask "Как дела" = How are things or "Как поживаете" = How are you doing sounds a bit strange. To ask this question you have to be aware in outline of the person's life. If you know a person a little, you may ask "Как Ваши дела?" = How are you? It sounds more polite. Приятно познакомиться. or Рад познакомиться. = Glad to know you. Рад Вас видеть. = Glad to see you. Надеюсь увидеть Вас снова, or Надеюсь, ещё увидимся = Hope to see you again. До свидания. = Good by. Увидимся позже. = See you later. All the sentences above may be used equally in conversation with a single person or with a few persons (as a plural form) - you don't need to change anything. __________________________________________________ 2. Informal (with friends, co-workers ets.) Привет! Как жизнь? = Hi! how's life? Привет! Как дела? = Hi! How are things? Привет! Как ты? / Как вы? = Hi! How are you? (singular / plural) Пока! = Bye! Увидимся! = See you! Хорошего дня! = Have a good day! Удачи! = Good luck! All these may be sayd towards one person or a few people alike. ___________________________________ Hope it helps.

February 19, 2012

Hi Cesar! Как дела? = How's it going? (informal) Как у вас дела? = How are you? (more formal) Как ты? = How are you? (informal) Пока = bye (informal) Очень приятно = nice to meet you (formal, I assume) Приятно познакомиться = nice to meet you (formal, I assume) I hope what I've said is correct. But take it with a grain of salt...Я американец. ; ) Good luck with your studies! Gary

February 17, 2012

Old cock(chap)!- Дружище!(Старина) How are you going?- Как дела? So-so- Так себе There's nothing particular new under the sun.- Как всегда , ничего особенно нового. I'm toddling along as usual.- Хожу-брожу по-старому. Удачи!!!

February 17, 2012

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