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A1How to saydóbryy vécher

How to say “Good evening” in Russian

The greeting that works from about five in the afternoon — and the one most learners get the case right on by luck.

Quick answer

До́брый ве́чер!

dóbryy vécher — nominative, because it is a greeting — not a wish

The options

До́брый ве́чер!Good evening!
До́брое у́тро!Good morning!
До́брый день!Good afternoon! — the safest all-day greeting
Приве́т!Hi! — informal, any time
Здра́вствуйте!Hello — polite, any time

Greeting or wish?

Greetings stay in the nominative: до́брый ве́чер, до́брое у́тро, до́брый день. Wishes go in the genitive: споко́йной но́чи, до́брого пути́, всего́ хоро́шего. The case tells you whether someone is arriving or leaving.

When which

До́брое у́тро until about midday, до́брый день until about five, до́брый ве́чер after that. If in doubt, до́брый день works almost round the clock, and здра́вствуйте always does.

What you hear back

До́брый ве́чер!Good evening!
Здра́вствуйте!Hello!
Приве́т, приве́т!Hi there!

Typical mistakes

До́брого ве́чера! — as a greeting

До́брый ве́чер!

The genitive turns it into a wish on parting.

Споко́йной но́чи when arriving

До́брый ве́чер

Good night is only for leaving.

Check yourself

Which case does a greeting use?

До́брый ве́чер — nominative. Wishes take the genitive.

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