здравствуй

Meaning

здравствуй means “hello”. It is a traditional or somewhat formal way to greet one person informally in Russian.

Context and usage

It comes from the verb здравствовать, meaning “to be healthy” or “to thrive.” Historically, it carries the sense of wishing someone good health—similar in spirit to “be well.” In everyday modern Russian, people more often say привет (“hi”) with friends or здравствуйте (“hello”) in polite or formal situations.

• здравствуй — singular, informal; often literary, warm, or old-fashioned.
• здравствуйте — polite/formal, or used when greeting more than one person.
• привет — casual “hi.”
• добрый день — “good afternoon” / polite daytime greeting.

Examples

1. Здравствуй, Анна! — Hello, Anna!
2. Здравствуй, как дела? — Hello, how are you?
3. Он сказал: «Здравствуй», и улыбнулся. — He said, “Hello,” and smiled.
4. Здравствуй, давно не виделись. — Hello, it has been a long time.
5. Здравствуй, дорогой друг. — Hello, dear friend.
6. «Здравствуй» часто встречается в книгах и письмах. — “Здравствуй” is often found in books and letters.