How to greet Russians in formal vs informal settings
Russian Etiquette: Essential Guide for Language Learners: How to greet Russians in formal vs informal settings
To greet Russians in formal settings, the most appropriate and widely used greeting is “Здравствуйте” (Zdravstvuyte), which conveys respect and politeness. This greeting is used when addressing strangers, elders, people in authority, or in professional environments such as business meetings. In informal settings, among friends, family, or peers, the common greeting is “Привет” (Privet), which is equivalent to “Hi” or “Hello” and is more casual and warm.
Formal Greeting
- “Здравствуйте” (Zdravstvuyte) — Used in formal or polite situations, when meeting someone for the first time, in business settings, or when addressing older people or authority figures.
- It is accompanied by polite body language, such as a firm handshake and maintaining eye contact, which are signs of respect.
Informal Greeting
- “Привет” (Privet) — Used in informal situations with friends, family, or close acquaintances.
- Other informal greetings include “Здарова” (Zdarova) or “Приветик” (Privetik) (a cute diminutive form), which are typically used among close peers or younger people.
Additional Informal Phrases
- “Как дела?” (Kak dela?) — “How are you?” used informally among friends.
- “Что нового?” (Chto novogo?) — “What’s new?” for casual conversations.
- Greetings can be accompanied by hugs or casual touches among close friends.
In sum, use “Здравствуйте” in formal contexts to show respect and “Привет” in relaxed contexts with friends and family for a friendly tone.