Home/Vocabulary/“Bless you”
A1How to saybut zdaróf

How to say “Bless you” in Russian

Literally “be healthy” — and the form depends on who sneezed.

Quick answer

Будь здоро́в!

but zdaróf — literally “be healthy” — and it changes with who sneezed

The options

Будь здоро́в!Bless you! — to a man, informal
Будь здоро́ва!Bless you! — to a woman, informal
Бу́дьте здоро́вы!Bless you! — polite or plural
Спаси́бо!Thank you! — the reply
Не боле́й!Don’t get ill!

The forms

It is an imperative of быть plus a short adjective, so both parts agree: будь здоро́в (to a man), будь здоро́ва (to a woman), бу́дьте здоро́вы (polite or several people). Getting the gender right is noticed.

Sneezing superstitions

Some people count sneezes, and a sneeze while someone is speaking is taken as confirmation that what was said is true: Пра́вду говорю́!. If a child sneezes, an older relative may add расти́ большо́й — grow up big. None of it is taken very seriously, but all of it is said.

What you hear back

Спаси́бо!Thank you!
Спаси́бо, уже́ лу́чше.Thanks, I’m better already.
Да, просту́да.Yes, a cold.

Typical mistakes

Будь здоро́в — to a woman

Будь здоро́ва.

The short adjective agrees.

Бог благослови́т

Будь здоро́в!

Russian wishes health, not a blessing.

Check yourself

A woman sneezes. You say:

Feminine short form.

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