Essential Ukrainian Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Ukrainian words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Dobrɪdenʲ.
Prɪvit.

Hello.
Do pobachennʲa.
Do zustrichi.
Goodbye.
Vɪ rozmowlʲajete anhlijsʲkoju movoju?
Do you speak English?
Ja ne rozumiju.
I don't understand.
Trokhɪ.
A little.
Tak. Ni.
Yes. No.
Skilʲkɪ koshtuje?

How much is it?
Tse nadto doroho. Dobre/Harazd.
Too expensive. OK.
Budʲ laska.
Please.
(Duzhe) dʲakuju.
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Jak vas zvutʲ? What is your name? Mene zvutʲ ... My name is ... Jak spravɪ? How are you? Dobre. A vɪ? Fine. And you? De ...? Where is ...? De tualet? Cholovikɪ/Zhinkɪ Where is the toilet? Men/Women Pereproshuju. Vɪbachte/Probachte. Sorry. Excuse me. Nemaje problem. No problem. Ja khochu ... I want ... Ja ne khochu ... I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Zvidkɪ vɪ?
Where are you from?
Ja z Awstraliji.*
I am from Australia.
Budʲ laska, rakhunok.
The bill, please.
Ja zablukaw. (man)
Ja zablukala. (woman)
I'm lost.
Zupɪnitsʲa! Zachekaite!
Stop! Wait!
Tut, tam.
Here, there.
Taksi. Hotelʲ. Aeroport. Vogzal.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Meni podabajetsʲa ...
Ja lʲublʲu ...
I like ...
Meni ne podabajetsʲa ...
Ja ne lʲublʲu ...
I don't like ...

odɪn, dva, trɪ, chotɪrɪ, pʲatʲ.
one, two, three, four, five.
shistʲ, sim, visim, devʲatʲ, desʲatʲ.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
z Amerɪkɪ - from America
z Kanadɪ - from Canada
z Anhliji - from England
z Irlandiji - from Ireland
z Novoji Zelandiji - from New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Budʲmo!
Cheers!

dobrɪ / pohanɪ
good / bad
velɪkɪ / malenʲkɪ
big / small
blɪzʲko / daleko
near / far
menshe / bilʲshe
less / more
shche odɪn / dostatnʲo
another / enough

Ja vehetarianetsʲ. (man)
Ja vehetarianka. (woman)
I am vegetarian.
Ja ne jim mʲasa.
I don't eat meat.
... kurʲatɪnɪ/kurkɪ.
... chicken.
... rɪbɪ.
... fish.

U mene alerhija na horikhɪ.
I am allergic to nuts.
... arakhis.
... zemlʲani horikhɪ.
... peanuts.
... rɪbu.
... fish.
... darɪ morʲa.
... moreproduktɪ.
... rɪbni stravɪ.
... seafood.
... jaitsʲa.
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels:
a is pronounced as a as in spa (ɑ)
e is pronounced as e as in pet (ɛ)
ɪ is pronounced as i as in pin (ɪ)
o is pronounced as o as in pot (ɔ)

Consonants:
ch is pronounced as ch as in church (tʃ)
h is pronounced as a voiced h (ɦ)
j is pronounced as y as in yet (IPA j)
kh is pronounced as kh as in loch or Bach (x)
lʲ is pronounced as lʲ as in million (ʎ)
nʲ is pronounced as nʲ as in canʲon (ɲ)
sh is pronounced as sh as in shop (ʃ)
a small j (ʲ) after a consonant indicates a palatalised consonant
eg. lʲ indicates lʲ, sʲ indicates sʲ, tʲ indicates tʲ etc.
zh is pronounced as zh as in pleasure (ʒ)