🧭 Survival Core in Ukrainian

These are the 16 essential Ukrainian phrases for survival core, each with an English-friendly transliteration (stressed syllable in CAPS), the English meaning, and usage notes. The nine phrases that get you through anything. Hear native-style audio for every phrase in the free Slava app.

Так

tak

Yes

Ні

nee

Будь ласка

bood LAS-ka

Please · lit. “be kind”

💡 Also means “you're welcome” and “here you go” — the Swiss-army-knife of politeness.

Дякую

DYA-koo-yoo

Thank you

Дуже дякую

DOO-zheh DYA-koo-yoo

Thank you very much

Вибачте formal

VY-bach-teh

Sorry / Excuse me

💡 Use for both apologising and getting past someone.

Вибач informal

VY-bach

Sorry

💡 Only with friends, kids, or people you're on ти terms with.

Перепрошую

peh-reh-PRO-shoo-yoo

Pardon me

💡 Great for getting a waiter's or stranger's attention politely.

Я не розумію

ya neh ro-zoo-MEE-yoo

I don't understand

💡 Your most honest phrase for the first months. Say it proudly.

Я розумію

ya ro-zoo-MEE-yoo

I understand

Ви розмовляєте англійською? formal

vy roz-mov-LYA-yeh-teh anh-LEEY-sko-yoo

Do you speak English?

Повторіть, будь ласка formal

pov-to-REET, bood LAS-ka

Please repeat that

Повільніше, будь ласка

po-VEEL-nee-sheh, bood LAS-ka

Slower, please

Що це?

shcho tseh

What is this?

Я не знаю

ya neh ZNA-yoo

I don't know

Добре

DOB-reh

Okay / Fine

💡 All-purpose agreement: “fine”, “good”, “deal”.

Practice these in the app — audio for every entry, quizzes, speaking practice and spaced repetition. Free, no account needed.

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