HOW TO SOUND POLITE IN UKRAINIAN
Learning Ukrainian is not just about knowing verbs and cases. It’s also about knowing how to sound polite. Ukrainians are warm people, but they really appreciate when foreigners try to soften their speech with the right magic words.
So here’s your survival guide: how not to shock a barista, how to win the heart of a Ukrainian grandma, and how to make new friends without sounding like you’re about to start a street fight.
1. Будь ласка — the king (or queen) of politeness
If you remember only one polite phrase in Ukrainian, let it be “будь ласка”. It means please, but also you’re welcome depending on context.
🔹 When to use it:
Asking for something: “Каву, будь ласка” (Coffee, please).
Offering something: “Ось вам вода, будь ласка” (Here’s some water, you’re welcome).
After someone thanks you: “Будь ласка” (You’re welcome).
Basically, you can’t overuse it. It’s like the garlic of politeness — sprinkle it everywhere.
2. Дякую — the magic gratitude button
This one’s simple: дякую = thank you. But you can upgrade it with extra politeness points:
“Велике дякую!” = Big thank you!
“Щиро дякую!” = Sincere thanks!
🔹 Examples:
At the bakery: “Один хлібчик, будь ласка.” (One bread roll, please.) → You get the bread. → “Дякую!”
Someone holds the door: “Дякую!”
3. Перепрошую — your life-saver word
Literally means excuse me/sorry. It works in almost every situation:
Bumped into someone on the street? “Перепрошую!”
Need to ask a stranger for directions? Start with “Перепрошую.”
Late to a meeting? “Перепрошую, я запізнився” (Sorry, I’m late).
4. Прошу — short, sweet, and polite
This is a tricky one because it has no perfect English equivalent. Think of it as please/here you go/go ahead.
🔹 Examples:
Waiter: “Прошу.” (Your coffee.) → You: “Дякую.” → Waiter: “Прошу.”
Someone asks to sit next to you: “Прошу.” (Go ahead).
Giving someone something: “Прошу, це для вас.” (Here you go, this is for you).
5. Чи не могли би ви…? — the polite request formula
When you want to ask for something more complex than “coffee,” this is your magic phrase:
Чи не могли би ви…? (Could you please…?).
🔹 Examples:
“Чи не могли би ви сказати, де метро?” (Could you please tell me where the metro is?)
“Чи не могли би ви повторити, де метро?” (Could you please repeat?)
“Чи не могли би ви додати більше сметани у мій борщ?” (Could you please add more sour cream to my borshch? … okay, not traditional, but polite).
6. Гарного дня! — bonus points for friendliness
Literally Have a good day! — say it after paying at a shop, to a driver, or to anyone you want to leave smiling.
🔹 Examples:
Cashier: “Дякую, до побачення.” → You: “Гарного дня!”
Friend leaving your house: “Гарного дня, побачимося завтра.”
7. Polite fillers and sweeteners
Ukrainians love to soften requests with a few extra words. Here are the must-haves:
Можна…? (May I…?) → “Можна зробити фото?” (May I take a photo?)
Чи можна…? (Is it possible…?) → “Чи можна три хвилини?” (Is it possible to have 3 minutes?)
Якщо можна… (If possible…) → “Якщо можна, каву без цукру.” (If possible, coffee without sugar).
These phrases are like adding whipped cream to your politeness.
Mini quiz: are you polite yet?
Choose the polite option in Ukrainian:
1. You want to ask someone for the time. You say:
a) «Котра година?»
b) «Перепрошую, котра година?»
2. A waiter gives you soup. You answer:
a) «Окей.»
b) «Дякую.»
3. You want to sit next to someone on the tram. You ask:
a) «Місця є?»
b) «Чи можна сісти тут, будь ласка?»
4. You bump into someone on the street. You say:
a) «Ой.»
b) «Перепрошую!»
5. You buy bread at the bakery. You say:
a) «Хліб.»
b) «Один хлібчик, будь ласка.»
6. You finish paying at the shop. You say:
a) «Все.»
b) «Гарного дня!»
7. A stranger helps you with directions. You say:
a) «Ну добре.»
b) «Щиро дякую!»
8. A friend gives you coffee. You say:
a) «Добре.»
b) «Дякую.»
9. Someone asks to sit next to you. You reply:
a) «Сідай.»
b) «Прошу.»
10. You want to ask politely in a café. You say:
a) «Дайте меню.»
b) «Чи не могли би ви дати меню, будь ласка?»
Answers:
1 – b
2 – b
3 – b
4 – b
5 – b
6 – b
7 – b
8 – b
9 – b
10 – b