Ukrainian is spoken by around forty million people, mainly in Ukraine where it is the official language, as well as among diasporas in Poland, Canada and the United States. It is an East Slavic language written in Cyrillic: with this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Kyiv, Lviv or Odesa.
Ukrainian (українська мова) has about forty million speakers, mainly in Ukraine where it has been the official language since 1991. It is an East Slavic language, a cousin of Belarusian and more distant from Russian: the three share a common root but Ukrainian has its own grammar, vocabulary and sounds. It is written in the Cyrillic alphabet enriched with four specific letters (i, yi, ye, ge) that immediately distinguish it from Russian in writing. Pronunciation stays relatively transparent once the alphabet is mastered: each letter is pronounced, vowels are clear, stress can fall on any syllable and is marked by its duration. Culturally, Ukrainian carries strong identity weight, particularly since 2022: its voluntary use in the streets, shops and public services has become a sign of national attachment. Hospitality remains generous, you remove your shoes when entering a home, you bring flowers in odd numbers, you happily accept a cup of tea or a meal. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an arrival at Kyiv Boryspil or Lviv, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. You will find indispensable greetings, survival phrases for orientation, key words for eating and sleeping, as well as cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Memorise these expressions before leaving: a simple Дякую pronounced correctly already opens many doors.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You arrive in Lviv in the early evening. The hall is busy, signs are in Ukrainian and English. An agent meets your gaze, you greet him and ask for directions.
The taxi driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You give the hotel address, you want to check the price before leaving, then you will ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You enter a restaurant in the centre in the early evening. The waiter seats you and hands you the menu. You hesitate over the daily special and ask for advice before ordering water and the bill.
You feel sick after a meal and you need help quickly. You ask where the nearest hospital is and mention that you are allergic to certain foods.
On the morning of departure, you want to confirm check-out time at the reception, then catch a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel staff.
What you need to know before travelling to a ukrainian-speaking country.
Using Ukrainian carries strong identity weight, especially since 2022. In Kyiv and the west, speaking a few words of Ukrainian rather than Russian is very well received, even if your interlocutor may be bilingual.
Avoid comparing Ukrainian to Russian or mixing them. These are two distinct languages, and the distinction matters greatly to speakers.
Ukrainian hospitality is generous: invited to a home, you will be served several dishes, bread and often a drink. Bringing flowers (in odd numbers) or chocolates is appreciated.
You remove your shoes when entering a private home. Slippers are usually offered to the guest.
The formal "Ви" is the rule with strangers, shopkeepers and elders. The informal "ти" is reserved for close friends and children.
The war context makes some topics sensitive. Better not to mention Russia positively or ask political opinions from strangers.
Tipping in restaurants hovers around ten percent. It is not mandatory but remains a standard courtesy.
English is increasingly spoken by younger urban generations. Outside Kyiv and Lviv, a few words of Ukrainian remain precious.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Так
tak
Yes
Ні
ni
No
Дякую
DYA-ku-yu
Thank you
Прошу
PRO-shu
You're welcome
Вибачте
VY-bach-te
Sorry
Вода
vo-DA
Water
Їжа
YI-zha
Food
Готель
ho-TEL
Hotel
Аеропорт
a-e-ro-PORT
Airport
Лікарня
li-KAR-nya
Hospital
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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