Greetings
How to Say “Hello” in Macedonian
What Does “Здраво” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “Hello” is Здраво (Latin: Zdravo). It belongs to the category of essential Macedonian greetings used in everyday conversation. Macedonian belongs to the South Slavic language family and is the official language of North Macedonia, with about 1.5 million speakers. Because it is written phonetically in a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet, every word is pronounced exactly as it is spelled — a big head start for new learners.
How to Pronounce Здраво
Здраво is pronounced “Zdravo” — the transliteration maps each Cyrillic letter to a predictable Latin equivalent, with no silent letters or irregular spellings to watch out for. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Tap “Play Audio” above to listen to the pronunciation.
When to Use “Здраво”
Greetings are one of the first things to learn in any new language. In Macedonian culture, greetings are an important part of daily social interaction — locals appreciate when visitors make the effort to say hello in Macedonian. This phrase is commonly used across North Macedonia in both city and rural contexts.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Grammar Notes
Key grammar elements in this expression: greeting, interjection. Understanding these building blocks helps you form your own Macedonian sentences. The OpaLingo Journey covers these grammar concepts in detail with interactive exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "Hello" in Macedonian?
"Hello" in Macedonian is Здраво. It is pronounced "Zdravo" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce Здраво?
Здраво is pronounced "Zdravo". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Tap the “Play Audio” button on this page to hear it pronounced.
Is "Hello" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Related Macedonian Greetings Words
Practice “Здраво” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include native Macedonian audio, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember essential Macedonian greetings used in everyday conversation for good. No account required — start learning immediately.