zdravstvuyte

Meaning

zdravstvuyte means “hello” in Russian. It is a formal or polite greeting, used with strangers, older people, customers, teachers, or more than one person.

It is the Latin-script transliteration of Здравствуйте.

Usage and context

• Use it when you want to sound respectful or professional.
• A more casual Russian greeting is privet (“hi”).
• It can be difficult for learners to pronounce because of the consonant cluster near the beginning.

Related expressions

• privet — hi; informal
• dobryy den' — good afternoon / good day; polite
• dobroe utro — good morning
• dobryy vecher — good evening
• zdravstvuy — informal singular form of “hello”

Background

The greeting comes from the Russian root associated with health and being well, similar in origin and sense to greetings that wish someone good health.

Examples

1. Zdravstvuyte, how are you?
2. Zdravstvuyte, may I ask you a question?
3. The receptionist said, “Zdravstvuyte,” when we entered.
4. In a formal email in Russian, you can begin with “Zdravstvuyte.”
5. She greeted her professor with “Zdravstvuyte.”