Здравствуйте

Здравствуйте is a standard Russian greeting meaning “Hello.” It is polite and relatively formal, and it can be used when addressing one person respectfully or several people at once.

Usage notes

• It is appropriate with strangers, older people, customers, officials, and in professional situations.
• The informal singular equivalent is привет (“hi”).
• A shorter conversational pronunciation or spelling is здрасте, roughly “hello” or “hi,” but it can sound very casual.
• Other related greetings include доброе утро (“good morning”), добрый день (“good afternoon”), and добрый вечер (“good evening”).

Etymology

The word is historically connected to здравствовать, meaning “to be healthy” or “to be well.” The greeting originally expressed a wish for someone’s health, similar in spirit to “Be well.”

Example sentences

1. Здравствуйте! Как ваши дела? — “Hello! How are you?”
2. Здравствуйте, можно задать вопрос? — “Hello, may I ask a question?”
3. Здравствуйте, доктор. — “Hello, doctor.”
4. Здравствуйте, меня зовут Анна. — “Hello, my name is Anna.”
5. Здравствуйте, уважаемые коллеги! — “Hello, dear colleagues!”
6. Здравствуйте! Чем я могу вам помочь? — “Hello! How can I help you?”