Saying Hello in Ukrainian
Ukrainian (українська мова) is renowned for its melodic sound and vibrant expressions. A warm “hello” in Ukrainian can go a long way, whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Lviv, visiting family in Kyiv, or engaging with Ukrainian speakers abroad. Greeting someone in their mother tongue is a sign of respect, curiosity, and openness to the local culture.
Though it uses the Cyrillic alphabet, learning basic greetings isn’t as daunting as it might seem. With a bit of practice, these simple phrases can make your interactions in Ukraine more genuine and friendly.
How to Greet Someone
As in many languages, Ukrainians have a distinction between formal and informal greetings. Use formal ones for older people, strangers, or those in positions of authority (teachers, officials). Reserve the informal style for friends, close family, and people you address on a first-name basis.
Informal Greetings
Use these with:
Common informal greetings include:
Привіт! → Hi! (most common informal “hello”)
Побачимося! → See you!
(Literally “we’ll see each other”)
Поговоримо пізніше! → We’ll talk later!
Гарного дня! → Have a nice day!
Зустрінемось! → Let’s meet again soon!
Formal Greetings
Use these with:
- сусід → neighbor (male)
- сусідка → neighbor (female)
- пан → Mr./Sir
- пані → Mrs./Ms.
- професор → professor/teacher (male)
- професорка → professor/teacher (female)
Common formal greetings include:
Добрий ранок → Good morning! (less common but understood)
Добрий день! → Good day!/Hello! (most standard formal greeting)
Добрий вечір! → Good evening!
На все добре. → Goodbye./All the best.
Хай щастить! → Take care!/Farewell! (fairly polite)
Бажаю гарного дня! → I wish you a good day! (formal)
Times of the Day:
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Ukrainian Small Talk – Don’t Get Confused!
In casual conversation, Ukrainians might throw around phrases like “Де ти був(ла)?” (“Where have you been?”) just to say “Long time no see!” Or they might ask “Ти живий(ва)?” (“Are you alive?”) as a playful way of asking how you’re doing. Don’t worry, they’re not questioning your well-being—it’s simply a lighthearted way to say “Як справи?” (How are you?).
Куди ти зник(ла)? → Where did you disappear to?
Я тут! → I’m here!
Як справи? → How are you?
Усе гаразд! → Everything’s fine!
Armed with these basic greetings, you can dive into the Ukrainian language and culture with confidence. Each short phrase opens a door to friendly chats and a deeper understanding of Ukrainian customs and daily life.
Language guide
Explore grammar and learning tips in our Ukrainian language guide.
Numbers & Time
Learn numbers in Ukrainian! Master pronunciation, counting, and key phrases like “how much?” for everyday use.
Pronunciation & Writing
Master the Ukrainian alphabet! Learn the 33 letters, their pronunciation, and unique characters like ґ, ї, and щ.
Conversation Basics
Master Ukrainian introductions! Learn how to say “My name is…” and introduce yourself in formal and informal settings.