How to Say Hello in Russian: Greetings for Every Situation
Saying hello in Russian depends on who you're talking to and the time of day. Knowing the difference between formal and informal greetings is a core CEFR A1 skill and one of the first things every Russian learner should master. Here are the main options and when to use them.
- The most common formal and informal Russian greetings
- Time-of-day greetings: morning, afternoon, evening
- Quick reference table for choosing the right greeting
- What to say after "hello" to continue the conversation
The Most Common Greetings
Use здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte) in any formal situation, and привет (privet) with friends and family. Choosing the right register — formal vs informal — matters more in Russian than in English.
Здравствуйте (zdravstvuyte) — Hello (formal)
- Use with: strangers, older people, bosses, teachers, anyone you address as "вы."
- Pronunciation: zdrav-STVOO-tye (the first в is often not clearly pronounced).
- This is the safe, polite choice in any formal situation.
Привет (privet) — Hi (informal)
- Use with: friends, family, peers, people you call "ты."
- Pronunciation: pree-VYET.
- Don't use привет with someone you should show respect to (e.g. a professor or boss) unless they offer "ты."
Want to practice Russian greetings with a native speaker? Book a free trial and learn to use formal and informal greetings naturally.
Добрый день (dobryy den') — Good afternoon
- Literally "good day." Use roughly from noon until early evening.
- Formal and neutral. Good for work, emails, and polite conversation.
Доброе утро (dobroye utro) — Good morning
- Use in the morning (until around noon).
- Formal and neutral.
Добрый вечер (dobryy vecher) — Good evening
- Use in the evening.
- Formal and neutral.
Quick Reference
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Formal (any time) | Здравствуйте |
| Formal, morning | Доброе утро |
| Formal, afternoon/evening | Добрый день / Добрый вечер |
| Informal, friends | Привет |
Mastering formal vs informal register is essential at CEFR A1. If you'd like real-time practice with a native speaker, check out our Russian lessons — every class starts with natural greetings.
What to Say Next
After "hello" you might add:
- Как дела? (Kak dela?) — How are you? (informal)
- Как ваши дела? (Kak vashi dela?) — How are you? (formal)
- Рад/рада вас видеть. (Rad/rada vas videt') — Nice to see you. (formal)
Once you've got greetings down, learn how to say goodbye in Russian so you can close any conversation gracefully. For a deeper look at when to use ты vs вы, see our guide on formal and informal Russian. And if you're prepping for a trip, our best Russian phrases for travel covers everything from ordering food to asking for directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common Russian greeting?
Здравствуйте is the most universal greeting — it works in any formal or semi-formal setting, at any time of day. Among friends, привет is by far the most common.
Can I say привет to anyone?
No. Привет is informal and should only be used with friends, family, and people who have offered you "ты" (the informal "you"). Using привет with a boss, professor, or stranger can come across as rude or overly familiar.
What about phone greetings in Russian?
When answering the phone, Russians typically say алло (allo) rather than здравствуйте. In a business call, you might hear слушаю (slushayu — "I'm listening") or да (da — "yes"). After the initial pickup, the conversation switches to normal greetings.
Practice with Native Speakers
Getting the right level of formality and pronunciation is easier with real conversation. Explore our Russian lessons and practice greetings and everyday Russian with native teachers.