Russian Greeting

Greeting, Introduction and Basic Phrase

In Russian language, there is a manner in the using of greeting to someone. When you are in a formal situation, you should use greeting “"здравствуйте!" which means “Hallo”. Then, when we call that person by "вы", it means “You” (single second person form). But, the word "вы" can also be said as “you/you guys” (plural second person form). The use of these words shows the comity and politeness, usually used when speaking with the older such as teacher, or to someone who is not close, or whoever in order to show the comity.

Example of conversation:
A: Здравствуйте! [Hallo!]
B: Здравствуйте! [Hallo]
A: Вы Владимир Рахманович? [Are you Vladimir Rahmanovich?]
B: Да. Я Владимир. А как вас зовут? [Yes, I’m Vladimir. Dan ]
A: Меня зовут Александр. Александр Иванович. [Nama saya Aleksander Ivanovich ,who are you?]
B: Очень приятно. [Nice to meet you]
A: Мне тоже. [Me too] 

Biasanya, untuk menunjukan rasa hormat, orang Rusia akan menyebutkan nama lengkap atau setengah lengkap. Misalnya:
- Александр Сергeевич [Aleksandr Sergeyevich] (polite)
- Господин Александр Пушкин [Sir Aleksandr Pushkin]
- Госпожа Наталья Пушкина [Madam Natalia Pushkina]

For conversation language style nowadays, it is rarely use the word Sir or Madam. Although that, there is a term "господин" which means “Sir” and "господин" which means “Madam”, often used in the writing or formal letters or a very forma situation, such as presidential meeting.


 The word collection used in formal situation:
- Здравствуйте! [Hallo!]  
- Как вас зовут? [Swhat is your name?]
- Очень приятно! [Nice to meet you]
- Рад с вами познакомиться [Nice to know you] (used by male)
- Радa с вами познакомиться [Nice to know you (used by female)
- Как ваши дела? [How are you?]
- Как поживаете? [How’s life?]
- Хорошо. А у вас? [Good. How about you??]
- Нормально [It’s fine]
- Плохо [Bad]
- До свидания! [Good bye!]
- Вы You]
- Господин ... [Sir ...]
- Госпожа ... [Madam ...]

Different from formal situation explained above, in the onformal situation. You can use greeting “привет!" which means “hai!” and use the term "ты" which means “you” to mention person who is in single second person position. The use of this word show the closeness and enjoyful situation, so that usually used to person who has close reltionship, younger, and family.

example of conversation
A: Привет! [Hai!]
B: Привет! [Hai!]
A: Ты Володя? [Are you Volodya]
B: Да. Я Володя. А как тебя зовут? [Yes. I am Volodya. And what is your name?]
A: Меня зовут Саша. [My name is Sasha]

* Volodya is diminutive (small name) from Vladimir. While Sasha is diminutivefromi Alexander or Alexandra. It is used to show the closeness betwen speakers.

Word collections for informal situation

- Привет! [Hai!]
- Как тебя зовут? [What is your name?]
- Очень приятно! [Nice to meet you!]
- Рад (тебя) видеть! [nice to see you!]
- Как твои дела? [How are you?]
- Как поживаешь? [How’s life?]
- Хорошо. А у тебя? [Fine.. How about you?]
- Нормально [It’s normal] 
- Плохо [Bad]
- Ужасно! [What a pity!] 
- Пока! [Bye!]
- Ты [You]

Diminutive names
- Володя [Volodya] (diminutive from Vladimir) 
- Света [Sveta] (diminutive from Svetlana)
- Петя [Petya] (diminutive from Petr)
- Ира [Ira] (diminutive from Irina)
- Саша [Sasha] (diminutive from Alexander or Alexandra)


Other Phrases
- Добро пожаловать! [Welcome!]
- Доброе утро! [Good Morning!]
- Добрый день! [Good afternoon/ evening!]
- Добрый вечер! [Selamat night!]
- Спокойной ночи! [Good night!] (going to sleep)
- Спасибо [thsnk you]
- Пожалуйста [you’re welcome]
- До встречи! [See you!]
- До завтра! [See you tomorrow!]
- До скорого! [See you again!]