A1 · First conversations
Russian Greetings and Introductions
By the end, you can greet someone, say your name, ask the other person’s name, and close the conversation politely.
Core phrases
| Russian | Pronunciation / note | Natural English |
|---|---|---|
| Здравствуйте | zdravstvuyte | Hello (polite) |
| Привет | privet | Hi (informal) |
| Доброе утро | dobroye utro | Good morning |
| Как вас зовут? | kak vas zovut? | What is your name? (polite) |
| Меня зовут … | menya zovut… | My name is … |
| Очень приятно | ochen priyatno | Nice to meet you |
| Как дела? | kak dela? | How are things? |
| Хорошо, спасибо | khorosho, spasibo | Fine, thank you. |
Notice the pattern
Привет and ты-style address are informal. Здравствуйте and вы-style address are polite or plural; Как вас зовут? uses that polite/plural form.
The transliteration here is a learner-friendly guide, not a complete pronunciation system; natural stress still matters.
Model dialogue
Read this short first meeting aloud. Replace the name phrase with your own name.
A: Здравствуйте
B: Здравствуйте
A: Как вас зовут?
B: Меня зовут …
A: Очень приятно
A: Как дела?
B: Хорошо, спасибо
Practice
- Match Здравствуйте with its natural English meaning.
- Complete the name-giving line with the phrase from the table.
- Choose the positive answer to “How are you?”
- Choose the best opening phrase for the model dialogue.
- Complete the name question with the core phrase from the table.
- Put four moves in order: greet, give your name, ask a name, close politely.
Check your answers
- 1 → Hello (polite)
- 2 → Меня зовут …
- 3 → Хорошо, спасибо
- 4 → Здравствуйте
- 5 → Как вас зовут?
- 6: Answers vary; include a greeting, name, question, and polite close.
Create your four-line introduction
Write and say four lines: greet the person, give your name, ask their name, and finish with a polite meeting phrase. Choose the level of formality that fits the situation.