HOW TO EXPRESS DOUBT, HESITATION, OR UNCERTAINTY IN UKRAINIAN
Have you ever tried to politely disagree in Ukrainian but ended up sounding like you’re absolutely sure of something you have zero clue about? Don’t worry — we’ve all been there. Expressing doubt, hesitation, or uncertainty is not just about the words — it’s about the attitude. So, buckle up and get ready to sprinkle some ambiguity into your Ukrainian like a linguistic pro.
Essential doubt words
Let’s start with some must-know expressions that help you sound thoughtful instead of confused:
- може бути – maybe / could be
- здається – it seems
- напевно – probably
- мабуть – most likely / maybe
💡 Bonus tip: These words are the “Ukrainian shrug.” You’re saying something, but you’re also saying: “Don’t quote me on that.”
It’s not just words — it’s how you say them
Yes, your tone matters! Try raising your voice just a bit at the end of the sentence to make it sound less like a fact and more like an open-ended guess.
- Може, він уже поїхав? (Maybe he already left?) – with a slight lift in your intonation, this sounds like a genuine question, not passive-aggressive sarcasm.
- Здається, вони щось знають... (It seems they know something...) – trail off at the end, like you’re in a spy movie.
Dialogue time: doubt in action
Let’s see how it plays out in a casual conversation:
Олег: Ти впевнений, що концерт сьогодні? (Are you sure the concert is today?)
Ірина: Мабуть... Але здається, я бачила афішу на завтра.(Maybe... But I think I saw a poster for tomorrow.)
Олег: Може, перевіримо ще раз? (Should we check one more time?)
Ірина: Напевно, так буде краще. (Probably, that’s a good idea.)
Boom! Four expressions of uncertainty in under 30 seconds — and no awkward overconfidence.
Grammar tip: hedge like a pro
Want to sound even more tentative? Try adding verbs in conditional mood or use imperfective verbs to avoid finality.
Instead of: ❌ Я знаю, він прийде. (I know he’ll come.)
Say: ✅ Мені здається, він би прийшов, якби міг. (It seems to me he would come if he could.)
This adds just the right amount of “I think but don’t sue me if I’m wrong.”
Avoiding the Ukrainian “absolutely”
Ukrainian is not a language of hard yeses and nos — it loves nuance. If you want to avoid sounding too categorical, use softeners like:
- Я не зовсім впевнений… (I’m not completely sure…)
- Можливо, але треба уточнити… (Possibly, but we should double-check…)
- Схоже, що так… але хто знає. (Looks like it… but who knows.)
Use these instead of definitives unless you actually want to be on the hook for being wrong at the family table.
To wrap up
Next time you want to express a bit of doubt in Ukrainian, don’t hesitate — hesitate on purpose! You now have the vocabulary, tone, grammar, and the attitude to keep things nicely vague (but still charming). Whether you're in a café, on a date, or trying to guess when the next bus comes — a little linguistic uncertainty goes a long way.