Ласка́во про́симо до Украї́ни! (Welcome to Ukraine!)
Whether you’re planning a trip to Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, or any other beautiful Ukrainian city, learning a few basic phrases will significantly enhance your experience. While many people in larger cities and tourist areas might speak English, making an effort to speak Ukrainian shows respect and can open doors to more authentic interactions.
This guide will equip you with practical, everyday phrases that will help you navigate, order food, ask for help, and simply make friends. You don’t need to be fluent, just enthusiastic!
1. Greetings & Introductions 👋
Starting with a friendly greeting goes a long way.
- Привіт! (Pryvít!) – Hi! (Informal, common)
- Добрий день! (Dóbryy den!) – Good day! (Formal, universal)
- Добрий ранок! (Dóbryy ránok!) – Good morning!
- Добрий вечір! (Dóbryy véchir!) – Good evening!
- Як справи? (Yak správy?) – How are you?
- Добре, дякую! (Dóbre, dyakuyu!) – Fine, thank you!
- Як тебе звати? (Yak tebe zvaty?) – What’s your name? (Informal)
- Мене звати… (Mene zvaty…) – My name is…
- Дуже приємно! (Dúzhe pryyémno!) – Nice to meet you!
- До побачення! (Do pobachénnya!) – Goodbye!
2. Politeness & Essential Words ✨
These words are your foundation for polite communication.
- Будь ласка (Bud́ láska) – Please / You’re welcome
- Дякую (Dyakuyu) – Thank you
- Перепрошую / Вибачте (Perepróshuyu / Výchbachte) – Excuse me / Sorry (use Перепрошую to get attention, Вибачте for an apology)
- Так (Tak) – Yes
- Ні (Ni) – No
3. Asking for Help & Directions 📍
Don’t be afraid to ask! Ukrainians are generally very helpful.
- Допоможіть, будь ласка! (Dopomozhít’, bud́ láska!) – Help me, please!
- Ви розмовляєте англійською? (Vy rozmovlyáyete anhlíyśkoyu?) – Do you speak English?
- Я не розумію. (Ya ne rozumíyu.) – I don’t understand.
- Повторіть, будь ласка. (Povtorít’, bud́ láska.) – Please repeat.
- Де…? (De…?) – Where is…?
- Де туалет? (De tualét?) – Where is the toilet?
- Де метро? (De metró?) – Where is the metro?
- Скільки це коштує? (Skíl’ky tse koshtúye?) – How much does this cost?
- Можна заплатити карткою? (Mózhna zaplatýty kártkoyu?) – Can I pay by card?
4. Ordering Food & Drinks 🍽️
Ukrainian cuisine is delicious, and ordering in Ukrainian is a rewarding experience!
- Я хочу… (Ya khochu…) – I want…
- Можна, будь ласка… (Mózhna, bud́ láska…) – Can I have…, please?
- Можна, будь ласка, борщ? (Mózhna, bud́ láska, borshch?) – Can I have borscht, please?
- Меню, будь ласка. (Menyú, bud́ láska.) – Menu, please.
- Рахунок, будь ласка. (Rakhúnok, bud́ láska.) – The bill, please.
- Смачного! (Smachnóho!) – Enjoy your meal!
- Дякую, було дуже смачно! (Dyakuyu, búlo dúzhe smachnó!) – Thank you, it was very tasty!
5. Getting Around 🚗
From taxis to public transport, these phrases will help.
- До центра, будь ласка. (Do tsentra, bud́ láska.) – To the center, please.
- Зупиніть тут, будь ласка. (Zupynít’ tut, bud́ láska.) – Stop here, please.
- Яка́ це зупинка? (Yaká tse zupynka?) – What stop is this?
- Квиток, будь ласка. (Kvytók, bud́ láska.) – A ticket, please.
Practice Makes Perfect! 🗣️
Don’t be shy to try out these phrases. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, locals will appreciate your effort. A smile and a “Дякую!” can bridge any language gap.
Consider downloading an offline Ukrainian dictionary app, or a translation app, to help you on the go. Enjoy your travels and embrace the rich culture of Ukraine!