Daily conversation in Ukrainian relies on a compact core of formulaic phrases that native speakers use dozens of times every day. Mastering these phrases is the fastest route to functional competence: once a learner can greet, thank, apologize, ask for directions, order food, and navigate simple transactions, the door to real conversation swings open. Ukrainian speakers respond warmly to learners who use distinctively Ukrainian expressions such as Дякую, Будь ласка, and Перепрошую, especially after decades in which Russian phrases dominated public life in many regions. Knowing when to switch between formal and informal registers, and between Ukrainian and Russian cognates, is itself a cultural skill.
This reference collects more than one hundred daily-use phrases organized by function: greetings and small talk, polite formulas, asking questions, giving and receiving information, shopping, eating out, directions and transportation, emergencies, and expressions of emotion. Each phrase is presented in Ukrainian Cyrillic, a Latin transliteration for pronunciation, and an English gloss, with context notes where the phrase differs from its Russian equivalent or where register matters.
Because Ukrainian and Russian share many roots but diverge sharply in everyday vocabulary, the entries flag places where Ukrainian uses a distinctively Slavic, Polish-influenced, or native form rather than the Russian one. A speaker who says спасибі will be understood, but saying дякую signals that the speaker is committed to Ukrainian. These subtle choices carry weight in contemporary Ukrainian society.
Greetings and Openings
Table 1: Core greetings by register
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Привіт | Pryvit | Informal, friends and peers |
| Здоров | Zdorov | Very casual, often male-to-male |
| Вітаю | Vitaiu | Neutral, also means "congratulations" |
| Добрий день | Dobryi den | Formal, anytime during daylight |
| Доброго ранку | Dobroho ranku | Formal, morning (genitive wish form) |
| Добрий вечір | Dobryi vechir | Formal, evening |
| Доброї ночі | Dobroyi nochi | When parting at night |
| Слава Україні! | Slava Ukraini! | Civic and patriotic greeting |
| Героям слава! | Heroiam slava! | Standard response to Slava Ukraini |
The genitive forms Доброго ранку and Доброго дня are elliptical wishes (I wish you a good morning). The nominative forms are also correct. Both coexist in modern Ukrainian.
Examples in context:
- Привіт, як ти? (Pryvit, yak ty?) = Hi, how are you?
- Добрий день, пані Олено. (Dobryi den, pani Oleno.) = Good day, Mrs. Olena. Note vocative case.
- Вітаю з днем народження! (Vitaiu z dnem narodzhennia!) = Happy birthday (literally "I congratulate you").
Small Talk and How Are You
Table 2: Asking and answering how are you
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Як справи? | Yak spravy? | How are things? |
| Як ти? / Як ви? | Yak ty? / Yak vy? | How are you? (informal / formal) |
| Як життя? | Yak zhyttia? | How is life? |
| Що нового? | Shcho novoho? | What's new? |
| Добре, дякую | Dobre, diakuiu | Good, thanks |
| Непогано | Nepohano | Not bad |
| Нормально | Normalno | Alright |
| Все гаразд | Vse harazd | Everything is fine |
| Так собі | Tak sobi | So-so |
| Погано | Pohano | Bad |
| А у тебе? | A u tebe? | And you? (informal) |
| А у вас? | A u vas? | And you? (formal) |
Examples:
- Як справи, Тарасе? = How are things, Taras? (vocative)
- Все добре, дякую. А у тебе? = Everything is good, thanks. And you?
- Так собі, втомився. (Tak sobi, vtomyvsia.) = So-so, I'm tired.
Thanks, Please, and Apologies
Table 3: Essential polite formulas
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Дякую | Diakuiu | Thank you |
| Дуже дякую | Duzhe diakuiu | Thank you very much |
| Щиро дякую | Shchyro diakuiu | Sincerely thanks |
| Велике спасибі | Velyke spasybi | Big thanks |
| Немає за що | Nemaie za shcho | Don't mention it |
| Прошу | Proshu | Please / you're welcome |
| Будь ласка | Bud laska | Please / you're welcome |
| Вибач / Вибачте | Vybach / Vybachte | Sorry (informal / formal) |
| Перепрошую | Pereproshuiu | Excuse me / I apologize |
| Пробач / Пробачте | Probach / Probachte | Forgive me |
| Нічого страшного | Nichoho strashnoho | No big deal |
Дякую is the distinctively Ukrainian word for thanks, related to German danke and Polish dziękuję. Russian speakers use спасибо, which exists in Ukrainian as спасибі but carries a regional or older flavor. Learners should prefer дякую.
Examples:
- Дякую за допомогу. = Thanks for the help.
- Будь ласка, передайте сіль. = Please pass the salt.
- Перепрошую, я не чув. = Excuse me, I didn't hear.
Introductions and Names
Table 4: Introducing yourself
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Як тебе звати? | Yak tebe zvaty? | What's your name? (informal) |
| Як вас звати? | Yak vas zvaty? | What's your name? (formal) |
| Мене звати... | Mene zvaty... | My name is... |
| Я... | Ya... | I am... |
| Дуже приємно | Duzhe pryiemno | Very pleased (to meet you) |
| Приємно познайомитися | Pryiemno poznaiomytysia | Nice to meet you |
| Звідки ти? | Zvidky ty? | Where are you from? |
| Я з... | Ya z... | I'm from... |
| Чим ти займаєшся? | Chym ty zaimaieshsia? | What do you do? |
Examples:
- Як вас звати? — Мене звати Орися. = What is your name? — My name is Orysia.
- Дуже приємно, я Олег. = Very nice, I'm Oleh.
- Я з Канади, але зараз живу у Львові. = I'm from Canada but now I live in Lviv.
Asking Questions
Table 5: Question words and basic inquiries
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Хто? | Khto? | Who? |
| Що? | Shcho? | What? |
| Де? | De? | Where? |
| Куди? | Kudy? | Where to? |
| Звідки? | Zvidky? | Where from? |
| Коли? | Koly? | When? |
| Чому? | Chomu? | Why? |
| Як? | Yak? | How? |
| Скільки? | Skilky? | How much / many? |
| Котрий? | Kotryi? | Which? |
| Чий? | Chyi? | Whose? |
Useful questions:
- Де знаходиться метро? = Where is the metro?
- Скільки це коштує? = How much does this cost?
- Коли відкривається музей? = When does the museum open?
- Чому він запізнився? = Why was he late?
- Ви розмовляєте англійською? = Do you speak English?
- Я не розумію. = I do not understand.
- Повторіть, будь ласка. = Please repeat.
- Говоріть повільніше, будь ласка. = Please speak more slowly.
Shopping and Money
Table 6: Shopping phrases
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Скільки коштує? | Skilky koshtuie? | How much does it cost? |
| Це дорого | Tse doroho | This is expensive |
| Це дешево | Tse deshevo | This is cheap |
| Я хочу купити... | Ya khochu kupyty... | I want to buy... |
| Дайте, будь ласка... | Daite, bud laska... | Please give me... |
| Маєте...? | Maiete...? | Do you have...? |
| Можна розрахуватися карткою? | Mozhna rozrakhuvatysia kartkoiu? | Can I pay by card? |
| Готівкою | Hotivkoiu | In cash |
| Касова скринька | Kasova skrynka | Cash register |
| Дайте чек, будь ласка | Daite chek, bud laska | Please give me the receipt |
| Знижка | Znyzhka | Discount |
| Акція | Aktsiia | Sale / promotion |
| Гривня | Hryvnia | Ukrainian currency |
The Ukrainian currency is the гривня, often abbreviated as грн or the symbol ₴. Prices are usually written as 100 грн or 100 ₴.
Examples:
- Скільки коштує ця сукня? = How much does this dress cost?
- Дайте, будь ласка, кілограм яблук. = Please give me a kilogram of apples.
- Маєте менший розмір? = Do you have a smaller size?
Directions and Transportation
Table 7: Asking and giving directions
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Як пройти до...? | Yak proity do...? | How do I get to...? |
| Де знаходиться...? | De znakhodytsia...? | Where is...? |
| Прямо | Priamo | Straight |
| Ліворуч | Livoruch | To the left |
| Праворуч | Pravoruch | To the right |
| Назад | Nazad | Back |
| Поруч | Poruch | Nearby |
| Далеко | Daleko | Far |
| Близько | Blyzko | Close |
| Перехрестя | Perekhrestia | Intersection |
| Світлофор | Svitlofor | Traffic light |
| Зупинка | Zupynka | Stop (bus, tram) |
| Автобус | Avtobus | Bus |
| Тролейбус | Troleibus | Trolleybus |
| Трамвай | Tramvai | Tram |
| Маршрутка | Marshrutka | Minibus |
| Метро | Metro | Metro |
| Таксі | Taksi | Taxi |
Examples:
- Як пройти до площі Ринок? = How do I get to Market Square?
- Ідіть прямо, потім поверніть ліворуч. = Go straight, then turn left.
- Де зупинка автобуса номер 5? = Where is the stop for bus number 5?
Eating Out
Table 8: Restaurant phrases
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Столик на двох | Stolyk na dvokh | Table for two |
| Меню, будь ласка | Meniu, bud laska | Menu, please |
| Що порадите? | Shcho poradyte? | What do you recommend? |
| Я замовлю... | Ya zamovliu... | I'll order... |
| Без цибулі | Bez tsybuli | Without onions |
| Гостро | Hostro | Spicy |
| Смачного! | Smachnoho! | Enjoy your meal! |
| Рахунок, будь ласка | Rakhunok, bud laska | The bill, please |
| Я вегетаріанець / вегетаріанка | Ya vehetarianets / vehetariianka | I'm vegetarian (m/f) |
| Чайові | Chaiovi | Tip |
| Все було смачно | Vse bulo smachno | Everything was delicious |
Examples:
- Столик на двох, будь ласка. = Table for two, please.
- Що ви порадите з українських страв? = What do you recommend from Ukrainian dishes?
- Принесіть, будь ласка, воду без газу. = Please bring still water.
Emergencies
Table 9: Emergency phrases
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Допоможіть! | Dopomozhit! | Help! |
| Викличте поліцію | Vyklychte politsiiu | Call the police |
| Викличте швидку | Vyklychte shvydku | Call an ambulance |
| Пожежа! | Pozhezha! | Fire! |
| Мені зле | Meni zle | I feel bad |
| Я загубився / загубилася | Ya zahubyvsia / zahubylasia | I got lost (m/f) |
| Мене пограбували | Mene pohrabuvaly | I was robbed |
| Де найближча лікарня? | De naiblyzhcha likarnia? | Where is the nearest hospital? |
| 101 (пожежа) | Sto odyn | Fire service |
| 102 (поліція) | Sto dva | Police |
| 103 (швидка) | Sto try | Ambulance |
| 112 | Sto dvanadtsiat | European emergency number |
Ukraine uses three-digit emergency numbers rooted in the Soviet system (101 fire, 102 police, 103 ambulance) alongside the unified European 112. In an emergency, dial 112 if unsure.
Examples:
- Будь ласка, викличте швидку, моєму другу погано. = Please call an ambulance, my friend feels unwell.
- Я загубив свій гаманець. = I lost my wallet.
Expressing Feelings
Table 10: Emotions
| Ukrainian | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Я щасливий / щаслива | Ya shchaslyvyi / shchaslyva | I'm happy (m/f) |
| Я сумний / сумна | Ya sumnyi / sumna | I'm sad (m/f) |
| Я втомлений / втомлена | Ya vtomlenyi / vtomlena | I'm tired (m/f) |
| Я голодний / голодна | Ya holodnyi / holodna | I'm hungry (m/f) |
| Я хочу пити | Ya khochu pyty | I'm thirsty |
| Мені холодно | Meni kholodno | I'm cold |
| Мені тепло | Meni teplo | I'm warm |
| Я злий / зла | Ya zlyi / zla | I'm angry (m/f) |
| Я закоханий / закохана | Ya zakokhanyi / zakokhana | I'm in love (m/f) |
| Я скучив / скучила | Ya skuchyv / skuchyla | I missed you (m/f) |
| Я тебе кохаю | Ya tebe kokhaiu | I love you (romantic) |
| Я тебе люблю | Ya tebe liubliu | I love you (general) |
Ukrainian distinguishes кохати (romantic love) from любити (general affection, family love, liking). The Russian language does not make this lexical distinction as sharply.
Common Mistakes
Learners coming from Russian frequently substitute Russian cognates into Ukrainian, producing суржик (a mixed code). Common examples include спасибо instead of дякую, пожалуйста instead of будь ласка, извините instead of вибачте, and здравствуйте instead of добрий день. These substitutions sound foreign in fully Ukrainian-speaking settings.
Another frequent mistake is confusing ти and ви. Using ти with a stranger, elder, or professional superior sounds rude. When unsure, default to ви. The switch from ви to ти is usually marked explicitly: Давайте на ти?
A third mistake is over-literal translation of English "please" and "thank you." Ukrainian uses будь ласка as both "please" and "you're welcome"; прошу covers similar ground. Saying дякую too many times in a short exchange can sound stilted; a single heartfelt щиро дякую outperforms several mechanical ones.
Quick Reference: Phrase Survival Kit
- Привіт / Добрий день = Hi / Good day
- Дякую / Будь ласка = Thanks / Please
- Вибачте / Перепрошую = Sorry / Excuse me
- Як справи? = How are things?
- Мене звати... = My name is...
- Скільки коштує? = How much does it cost?
- Де...? = Where is...?
- Я не розумію. = I do not understand.
- Говоріть повільніше, будь ласка. = Please speak more slowly.
- Допоможіть! = Help!
FAQ
Is "дякую" pronounced with a hard or soft д? The д is followed by я, which palatalizes it. The result is a soft "dya" sound. Many learners from English render it as "dya-ku-yu" with four syllables; three syllables is closer: "dyá-ku-yu."
Can I use спасибі instead of дякую? You will be understood, but дякую is the more distinctively Ukrainian choice and is preferred in Ukrainian-language contexts. Спасибі is a native Ukrainian word as well, but the post-2014 revival of Ukrainian public life has made дякую the clear social default.
What does Смачного mean exactly? It is the genitive form of смачне (tasty), used elliptically as a wish: "[I wish you] tasty [food]." It is said at the start of a meal and has no direct English equivalent. The response Дякую, взаємно means "Thanks, you too."
When do I say Слава Україні? As a civic greeting among Ukrainians and allies, as a sign-off in messages, or in response to acts of service. The standard response is Героям слава! (Glory to the heroes). It is appropriate in most contexts outside purely commercial ones.
How do I politely address strangers? Use пане (sir, vocative of пан) or пані (ma'am, indeclinable). For example, Пане, ви щось загубили (Sir, you dropped something). Younger people may default to перепрошую (excuse me) without a title.
Are handshakes common? Yes, handshakes are the default male-male greeting in professional and formal settings. Women may shake hands but often greet with a nod or light cheek-touch among friends. A firm handshake with eye contact is appropriate.
Do Ukrainians use titles like Mr and Mrs? Yes, пан (Mr.) and пані (Mrs./Ms.) plus surname or first name: пан Петренко or пані Олено. Patronymics (Olena Petrivna) are also used in professional contexts.
See Also
- Ukrainian Alphabet and Cyrillic Differences from Russian
- Ukrainian Pronunciation vs Russian Key Differences
- Ukrainian Greetings, Phrases, and Common Expressions
- Ukrainian Pronouns: Personal, Possessive, Reflexive
- Ukrainian Seven Cases: Complete Declension
- Ukrainian vs Russian Vocabulary: False Friends
- Ukrainian Verb Conjugation and Aspect System
Author: Kalenux Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Is дякую pronounced with a hard or soft д?
The д is followed by я, which palatalizes it. The result is a soft 'dya' sound. Three syllables is closer to native: 'dyá-ku-yu,' not four.
Can I use спасибі instead of дякую?
You will be understood, but дякую is the more distinctively Ukrainian choice and is preferred in Ukrainian-language contexts. Спасибі is native Ukrainian as well but has a regional or older flavor.
What does Смачного mean exactly?
It is the genitive form of смачне (tasty), used elliptically as a wish meaning '[I wish you] tasty [food].' It is said at the start of a meal. Respond with Дякую, взаємно (Thanks, you too).
When do I say Слава Україні?
As a civic greeting among Ukrainians and allies, as a sign-off, or in response to acts of service. The standard response is Героям слава (Glory to the heroes). Appropriate in most contexts outside purely commercial ones.
How do I politely address strangers?
Use пане (sir, vocative of пан) or пані (ma'am, indeclinable). For example, Пане, ви щось загубили means Sir, you dropped something. Younger people often default to перепрошую without a title.
Are handshakes common in Ukraine?
Yes, handshakes are the default male-male greeting in professional and formal settings. Women may shake hands but often greet with a nod or light cheek-touch among friends. Firm handshake with eye contact is appropriate.
Do Ukrainians use titles like Mr and Mrs?
Yes, пан (Mr.) and пані (Mrs./Ms.) plus surname or first name: пан Петренко or пані Олено. Patronymics (Olena Petrivna) are also used in professional contexts.
