HOW TO AVOID SURZHYK IN THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE

Tips for speaking more naturally and correctly

Surzhyk is a linguistic mix of Ukrainian and Russian elements, often resulting from historical influences and bilingual environments. While commonly spoken in various regions of Ukraine, it can hinder the development of proper Ukrainian language skills. If you aim to speak Ukrainian fluently and correctly, avoiding surzhyk is an important step in your learning journey.

1. Expand your vocabulary

Many instances of surzhyk arise from a lack of knowledge of Ukrainian vocabulary, leading speakers to borrow Russian words instead. To avoid this, actively expand your Ukrainian vocabulary. Use dictionaries, language apps, and authentic Ukrainian media (books, news, movies) to reinforce correct word usage.

Practical steps:

• Learn five new Ukrainian words daily and use them in sentences.
• Replace Russian borrowings with their correct Ukrainian equivalents when speaking.
• Keep a notebook with commonly misused words and their proper forms.

2. Understand common surzhyk mistakes

Becoming aware of typical surzhyk expressions will help you recognize and correct them. Some examples include:

• "Вопрос" (Russian) instead of "питання" (Ukrainian) for "question."
• "Рішати" (incorrect) instead of "вирішувати" (correct) for "to solve."
• "Діло" (Russian) instead of "справа" (Ukrainian) for "business/matter."

Practical steps:

• Make flashcards with correct and incorrect word pairs.
• Test yourself by writing short texts and checking them for surzhyk.
• Use online tools like Grammarly for Ukrainian to spot mistakes.

3. Immerse yourself in pure Ukrainian

The best way to improve your Ukrainian is to surround yourself with correct Ukrainian speech. Try the following:

• Listen to Ukrainian radio and podcasts.
• Watch Ukrainian TV shows and YouTube channels. You might enjoy Speak Ukrainian as a great place to start! 
• Read books, newspapers, and official documents in Ukrainian.
• Follow social media pages that promote proper Ukrainian usage.

Practical steps:

• Set your phone and apps to the Ukrainian language.
• Read at least one article in Ukrainian daily.
• Write social media posts only in Ukrainian.

4. Practice with native speakers

Speaking with fluent Ukrainian speakers can help you identify and correct surzhyk in real-time. 

Practical steps:

• Find a tutor or language partner. At the Speak Ukrainian school, we have excellent options to help you on your journey!
• Join Ukrainian-speaking groups on Telegram, WhatsApp, or Viber. Don't forget to join our telegram channel Speak Ukrainian Community
• Attend Ukrainian cultural events or conversation clubs in your area.

5. Use Ukrainian grammar books and guides

Many grammar books and online resources provide structured guidance on proper Ukrainian usage. Studying grammar will help you avoid Russian-influenced structures and develop a more natural Ukrainian sentence flow.

Practical steps:

• Dedicate 15 minutes a day to learning Ukrainian grammar.
• Complete online grammar quizzes to reinforce knowledge.
• Keep a list of difficult grammar rules and revisit them regularly.

6. Think in Ukrainian

A common reason for surzhyk is thinking in Russian (or another language) while trying to speak Ukrainian. Train yourself to think directly in Ukrainian by writing journal entries, talking to yourself in Ukrainian, or narrating your daily activities in Ukrainian.

Practical steps:

• Describe everything around you in Ukrainian throughout the day.
• Write a short diary entry in Ukrainian every night.
• Mentally translate your thoughts into Ukrainian before speaking.

7. Be patient and keep practicing

Breaking the habit of using surzhyk takes time and consistent effort. Don't be discouraged by mistakes—every correction brings you closer to fluency. Regular exposure, practice, and conscious effort will significantly improve your Ukrainian over time.

Practical steps:

• Record yourself speaking and listen for mistakes.
• Challenge yourself to speak only Ukrainian for an entire day.
• Reward yourself for milestones, like a full conversation without surzhyk.

By following these steps, you’ll enhance your Ukrainian proficiency and sound more natural and grammatically correct. Keep practicing, and soon, speaking pure Ukrainian will become second nature!