Ukraine SurvivalUkrainian Language Lessons

Table of ContentsLesson 1: Introduction (no audio) .................................................................. 2Lesson 2: Ukrainian Alphabet/Pronunciation ............................................... 3Lesson 3: Greetings and Farewells ............................................................... 5Lesson 4: Useful phrases .............................................................................. 6Lesson 5: Getting Acquainted ........................................................................ 7Lesson 6: Family ............................................................................................. 8Lesson 7: About myself ................................................................................. 9Lesson 8: Food .............................................................................................. 10Lesson 9: Apartment ..................................................................................... 11Lesson 10: Numerals .................................................................................... 12Lesson 11: At the store ................................................................................. 14Lesson 12: Transport .................................................................................... 15Lesson 13: City .............................................................................................. 16Lesson 14: Post-office .................................................................................. 17Lesson 15: Signs ........................................................................................... 18Lesson 16: Emergencies .............................................................................. 19Lesson 17: Personal pronouns .................................................................... 20Lesson 18: Professions ................................................................................ 21Lesson 19: Days of the week and months .................................................. 22Lesson 20: Question words .......................................................................... 23

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Lesson 1

IntroductionWelcome to the Ukrainian language lessons!

Ukrainian is the national language of Ukraine, and these “Survival Ukrainian” fileswill help you get a head start in learning the language and using colloquial phrasesthat will help you get by your first weeks in Ukraine.We recommend that you listen to the audio files and repeat while reading thelanguage script. It will be useful if you use these files for 10-15 minute a day.

In the language script we use the transliteration system which will help you topronounce Ukrainian, even without any background in Slavic languages.The letters are transliterated from the Ukrainian alphabet in accordance to its soundin English. The letter ь (soft sign) has no sound and will be represented in thetransliteration as an apostrophe [’].Unlike English the Ukrainian alphabet is absolutely phonetic: each letter has asingle pronunciation in every usage.

The lessons do not have to be in any particular order. After you complete the firstlesson, you may choose any topic of interest or importance to you. We won’tdiscuss grammatical topics in these lessons. You will learn grammar during thelanguage classes in Pre-Service Training in Ukraine.

About the Ukrainian language in a nutshell.It belongs to the Slavic group of the Indo-European language family.The Ukrainians use the Cyrillic alphabet. There are differences between the Cyrillicand Latin sounds and letters, but they are small and you will learn to recognize themquickly.

The Ukrainian alphabet is comprised of 33 letters.Stress in Ukrainian can fall on any syllable in a word. The stressed part of the wordwill be marked in bold in transliteration and the word itself. One word has only onestressed syllable which is no longer that others. Usually the stress is indicated indictionaries.

We hope you will enjoy the Ukrainian language lessons and wish you good luck withyour learning.

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Lesson 2

Alphabet - Абетка

Listen carefully to the Ukrainian speaker the first time, then try to repeat the soundswith the speaker the second time.

Approximate English sound equivalentUkrainian letter

LikeА а a in barБ б b in bookВ в v in voiceГ г h in howҐ ґ g in getД д d in dotЕ е e in tenЄ є ye in yesЖ ж zh in pleasureЗ з z in zoneИ и y in byteІ і ee in meetЇ ї yee in yeast

Й й y in boyК к k in keyЛ л l in lampМ м m in manН н n in noseО о o in portП п p in spoonР р r in roofС с s in smallТ т t in tartУ у oo in moonФ ф f in fineХ х kh in Loch NessЦ ц ts in catsЧ ч ch in chairШ ш sh in shineЩ щ shch in rash choice

Ь no soundapostrophe ’ intransliteration

it softens the previous consonant

Ю ю yoo in youthЯ я ya in yard

As you can see and hear, some Ukrainian letters have equivalent sound in Englishbut look quite different:

Ukrainian letter Corresponding soundin both languages

English letter

Б [b] ВГ [h] HП [p] PФ [f] FД [d] DЗ [z] ZЛ [l] L

Perhaps the most confusing are the letters that look like Latin but in Cyrillic representdifferent sounds.

Ukrainian letter-“false friend”

Correspondingsoundin Ukrainian

English letter/sound

В [v] VP [r] RC [s] SH [n] NХ [kh] -

[kh]as in Loch Ness

У [oo] -[oo]

as in moon

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Lesson 3

Greetings = Привітання

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianGood morning. dobryy ranok Добрий ранок.Good afternoon. dobryy den’ Добрий день.Good evening. dobryy vecheer Добрий вечір.Hi. pryveet Привіт.How are you? yak spravy Як справи?I am good, thank you. dobre dyakooyoo Добре, дякую.And you? a oo vas А у вас?Fine. normal’no Нормально.

Farewells = Прощання

English Transliteration UkrainianGood bye. do pobachennya До побачення.Bye. po ka Пока.See you tomorrow. do zavtra До завтра.Good luck. shchaslyvo Щасливо.

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Lesson 4

Useful phrases - Корисні фрази

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianYes. tak Так.No. nee Ні.Thank you. dyakooyoo Дякую.Please. bood’ laska Будь ласка.You are welcome. proshoo Прошу.Excuse me/I’m sorry. vybachte Вибачте.Never mind. neechoho Нічого.What a shame! shkoda Шкода!Just a minute. khvylynkoo Хвилинку!May I? mozhna Можна?It’s important. tse vazhlyvo Це важливо.I’m sorry, I don’tunderstand.

vybachte ya nerozoomeeyoo

Вибачте, я нерозумію.

I study Ukrainian ya oochoo ookrayeens’koo Я учу українську.

Repeat, please. povtoreet’ bood’ laska Повторіть, будьласка.

Translate, please. perekladeet’ bood’ laska Перекладіть, будьласка.

What is the Ukrainian forbread?

yak ookrayeens’koyoo … Як українськоюbread?

What? shcho

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Lesson 5

Getting acquainted = Знайомство

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianWho is it? Khto tse Хто це?It is Oksana. tse oksana Це Оксана.It is John. tse dzhon Це Джон.What is your name? yak vas zvaty Як вас звати?My name is Sasha. mene zvaty sasha Мене звати Саша.Nice to meet you. duzhe pryyemno Дуже приємно.Nice to meet you too. menee tezh Мені теж.How old are you? skeel’ky vam rokeev Скільки вам років?I am 25. menee dvadtsyat’ pyat’ Мені 25.Who are you? khto vy Хто ви?I am an American (male). ya amerykanets’ Я американець.

I am an American(female).

ya amerykanka Я американка.

I am a Languageschools Volunteer.

ya dobrovolets’movnoyi shkoly

Я доброволецьМовної школи.

Where are you from? zveedky vy Звідки ви?I am from America, thestate of California.

ya z ameryky shtatkaleeforneeya

Я з Америки, штатКаліфорнія.

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Lesson 6

Family = Сім’я

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianfather tato татоmother mama мамаson syn синdaughter dochka дочкаbrother brat братsister sestra сестраgrandfather deedoos’ дідусьgrandmother baboosya бабусяgrandson onook онукgranddaughter onooka онукаchildren deety дітиhusbаnd choloveek чоловікwife droozhyna дружинаfriend drooh другgirlfriend podrooha подругаand ee іI have .... oo mene ye У мене є …I have a brother and asister.

u mene ye brat ee sestra У мене є брат і сестра.

This is my family. tse moya seem’ya Це моя сім’я.This is my mother. tse mama Це мама.This is my brother. tse brat Це брат.

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Lesson 7

About myself = Про себе

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianMy name is Kelsey. mene zvaty kelsee Мене звати Келсі.I am 27 years old. menee dvadtsyat’ seem. Мені 27 років.I am from America, thestate of Minnesota.

ya z ameryky shtatmeenesota

Я з Америки, штатМінесота.

I am a teacher. ya oochytel’ Я учитель.I am a Languageschools Volunteer.

ya dobrovolets’Мovnoyi shkoly

Я доброволець .Мовної школи

I have a family. u mene ye seemya У мене є сім’я.I have a brother and asister.

u mene ye brat ee sestra У мене є брат ісестра.

I like to read. ya lyooblyoo chytaty Я люблю читати.I study Ukrainian. ya oochoo

ookrayeens’kooЯ учу українську.

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Lesson 8

Food = Їжа

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianborshch borshch борщsoup soop супsalad salat салатpotato kartoplya картопляmeat myaso м'ясоfish ryba рибаdumplings/varenyky varenyky вареникиmacaroni makarony макарониrice rys рисvegetables ovochee овочіfruit frookty фруктиwater voda водаnon-carbonated water voda bez hazoo вода без газуtea chay чайcoffee kava каваjuice seek сікmilk moloko молокоIt is delicious! smachno Смачно!I am a vegetarian(female).

ya vehetareeanka Я вегетаріанка.

I am a vegetarian (male). ya vehetareeanets’ Я вегетаріанець.I am not allowed. menee ne mozhna Мені не можна.I like fruits. ya lyooblyoo frookty Я люблю фрукти.I don’t like meat. ya ne lyooblyoo myaso Я не люблю м’ясо.

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Lesson 9

Apartment = Квартира

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianmy room moya keemnata моя кімнатаkitchen kookhnya кухняbathroom vana ваннаtoilet tooalet туалетcorridor korydor коридорbalcony balkon балконdoor dveree дверіkey klyooch ключwindow veekno вікноtable steel стілchair steelets’ стілецьwardrobe shafa шафаsofa dyvan диванlamp lampa лампаtelephone telefon телефонto smoke palyty палитиWhere is my room? de moya keemnata Де моя кімната?Here it is. os’ Ось.Where can I smoke? de mozhna palyty Де можна палити?Here. toot Тут.There. tam Там.

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Lesson 10

Numerals = ЧислівникиIn the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianone odyn 1 – одинtwo dva 2 – дваthree try 3 – триfour chotyry 4 – чотириfive pyat’ 5 – п'ятьsix sheest’ 6 – шістьseven seem 7 – сімeight veeseem 8 – вісімnine devyat’ 9 – дев'ятьten desyat’ 10 - десятьeleven odynadtsyat’ 11 – одинадцятьtwelve dvanadtsyat’ 12 – дванадцятьthirteen trynadtsyat’ 13 – тринадцятьfourteen chotyrnadtsyat’ 14 – чотирнадцятьfifteen pyatnadtsyat’ 15 – п'ятнадцятьsixteen sheestnadtsyat’ 16 – шістнадцятьseventeen seemnadtsyat’ 17 – сімнадцятьeighteen veeseemnadtsyat’ 18 – вісімнадцятьnineteen devyatnadtsyat’ 19 – дев'ятнадцятьtwenty dvadtsyat’ 20 - двадцятьtwenty-one dvadtsyat’ odyn 21 – двадцять одинtwenty-two dvadtsyat’ dva 22 – двадцять дваtwenty-three dvadtsyat’ try 23 – двадцять триtwenty-four dvadtsyat’ chotyry 24 – двадцять чотириtwenty-five dvadtsyat’ pyat’ 25 – двадцять п’ятьtwenty-six dvadtsyat’ sheest’ 26 – двадцять шістьtwenty-seven dvadtsyat’ seem 27 – двадцять сімtwenty-eight dvadtsyat’ veeseem 28 – двадцять вісімtwenty-nine dvadtsyat’ devyat’ 29 – двадцять дев’ятьthirty trydtsyat’ 30 - тридцять

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forty sorok 40 – сорокfifty pyatdesyat 50 – п'ятдесятsixty sheestdesyat 60 – шістдесятseventy seemdesyat 70 – сімдесятeighty veeseemdesyat 80 – вісімдесятninety devyanosto 90 – дев'яностоone hundred sto 100 – сто

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Lesson 11

At the store = У магазині

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainiancostume kostyoom костюмsweater svetr светрcoat pal’to пальтоjeans dzhynsy джинсиshampoo shampoon’ шампуньcream (lotion) krem кремsoap mylo милоtooth paste zoobna pasta зубна пастаtooth brush zoobna shcheetka зубна щіткаhryvnia/hryvnias hryvnya/hryvnee гривня/гривніkopeck/kopecks kopeeyka/kopeeyky копійка/копійкиdollar/dollars dolar/dolary долар/долариHow much does it cost? skeel’ky tse koshtooye Скільки це коштує?3 hryvnias. try hryvnee Три гривні.It is expensive. tse doroho Це дорого.It is not expensive. tse nedoroho Це недорого.Can you give me ... dayte bood’ laska Дайте, будь ласка.

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Lesson 12

Transportation = Транспорт

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianbus avtoboos автобусtrolley-bus troleyboos тролейбусtram tramvay трамвайtaxi taksee таксіcar masheena машинаmetro metro метроbus stop zoopynka зупинкаpassenger pasazhyr пасажирticket kvytok квитокHow much does the ticketcost?

skeel’ky koshtooyekvytok

Скільки коштуєквиток?

50 kopecks. p’yatdesyat kopeeyok 50 копійок.Can you stop here,please.

zoopyneet’ toot bood’laska

Зупиніть тут, будьласка.

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Lesson 13

City = Місто

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainiancenter tsentr центрstreet voolytsya вулицяbuilding boodynok будинокpost office poshta поштаbank bank банкhotel hotel’ готельstore mahazyn магазинpharmacy apteka аптекаhospital leekarnya лікарняschool shkola школаinstitute eenstytoot інститутuniversity ooneeversytet університетtheater teatr театрmovie theater keenoteatr кінотеатрmuseum moozey музейstadium stadeeon стадіонpark park паркstraight pryamo прямоto the right napravo направоto the left naleevo налівоbackwards nazad назадfar away daleko далекоnot far away. nedaleko недалекоWhere is the park? de park Де парк?The park is over there. park tam Парк там.I got lost (male) ya zablookav Я заблукав.I got lost (female) ya zablookala Я заблукала.

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Lesson 14

Post Office = Пошта

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianenvelope konvert конвертletter lyst листpost card lysteevka листівкаpostage stamp marka маркаaddress adresa адресаenvelope to America konvert v amerykoo конверт в АмерикуWhere is the post office? de poshta Де пошта?The post office is in thecenter.

poshta oo tsentree Пошта у центрі.

How much does theenvelope to Americacost?

skeel’ky koshtooyekonvert v amerykoo

Скільки коштуєконверт в Америку?

How much does the postcard cost?

skeel’ky koshtooyelysteevka

Скільки коштуєлистівка?

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Lesson 15

Signs = ВивіскиIn the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianClosed zachyneno ЗачиненоOpen veedchyneno ВідчиненоEntrance vheed ВхідExit vyheed ВихідNo smoking! ne kooryty/ne palyty Не курити!/Не палити!Lunch obeed ОбідCrosswalk perekheed ПерехідPullPush

do sebeveed sebe

До себеВід себе

Break pererva ПерерваToilet for men choloveechyy tooalet М (чоловічий туалет)Toilet for women zheenochyy tooalet Ж (жіночий туалет)Be careful! oberezhno Обережно!Attention! oovaha Увага!

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Lesson 16

Emergencies = Критичні ситуаціїIn the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianFire! pozhezha Пожежа!Help! dopomozheet’ Допоможіть!I am not feeling well! menee pohano Мені погано!Stop it! perestan’te Перестаньте!Militia! (Police!) meeleetseeya Міліція!Hold your dog! zabereet’ sobakoo Заберіть собаку!

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Lesson 17

Personal pronouns = Займенники

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianI ya яyou (informal singularform)

ty ти

he veen вінshe vona вонаit vono воноwe my миyou (formal singular andplural form)

vy ви

they vony вони

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Lesson 18

Professions = Професії

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration Ukrainianteacher oochytel’ учительbusinessman beeznesmen бізнесменbusinesswoman beeznes ledee бізнес-ледіdoctor leekar лікарengineer eenzhener інженерjournalist zhoornaleest журналістdirector dyrektor директорsecretary sekretar секретарstudent (male) stoodent студентstudent (female) stoodentka студенткаathlete (male) sportsmen спортсменathlete (female) sportsmenka спортсменкаmanager menedzher менеджерbanker bankeer банкірpolice officer meeleetseeoner міліціонерpensioner (male) penseeoner пенсіонерpensioner (female) penseeonerka пенсіонеркаfarmer fermer фермерeconomist ekonomeest економістlawyer yooryst юристWho is she? (herprofession)

khto vona Хто вона?

She is an economist. vona ekonomeest Вона – економіст.What is your profession? yaka vasha profeseeya Яка ваша професія?

I am a teacher. ya oochytel’ Я – учитель.

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Lesson 19

Days of the week/Months = Дні тижня /Місяці

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianMonday ponedeelok понеділокTuesday veevtorok вівторокWednesday sereda середаThursday chetver четвер

Friday pyatnytsya п’ятницяSaturday soobota суботаSunday nedeelya неділяtoday s’ohodnee сьогодні

yesterday oochora учораtomorrow zavtra завтра

English Transliteration UkrainianDecember hrooden’ груденьJanuary seechen’ cіченьFebruary lyootyy лютийMarch berezen’ березень

April kveeten’ квітеньMay traven’ травеньJune cherven’ червеньJuly lypen’ липень

August serpen’ серпень

September veresen’ вересеньOctober zhovten’ жовтень

November lystopad листопад

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Lesson 20

Question words = Питання

In the following audio file you will hear a word or phrase in English one time, thentwice in Ukrainian.Listen carefully to the Ukrainian the first time, then try to repeat the word or phrasewith the speaker the second time.

English Transliteration UkrainianWho? khto XTO?What? shcho Що?Where? de Де?Where to? (withdirections)

koody Куди?

When? koly Коли?How? yak Як?Why? chomoo Чому?How much? skeel’ky Cкільки?