є
je[jɛ]
The English word 'am' is translated into Ukrainian as є (je).
Meaning: before noon (adv)
How do you pronounce it?
je
Did you know?
- While є means 'exists' or 'is' it is also used to say 'I have' by combining it with a possessive pronoun. The phrase У мене є literally means 'At me there is'.
- The word є is part of a unique feature where Ukrainian has a present tense of the verb 'to be', while many other Slavic languages like Russian have essentially removed it.
- The appearance of є in the 1837 almanach 'Rusalka Dnistrova' marked a significant moment in the standardization of the modern Ukrainian literary language.
Examples in context
- Я не з Європи.I am not from Europe.Tatoeba #6295946 by deniko, translation #5769779 by mailohilohi
- Ти пам'ятаєш хто я є?Do you remember who I am?Tatoeba #4808676 by Nioki, translation #4808451 by AlanF_US
- Повідомте їм, де я є.Let them know where I am.Tatoeba #5224782 by deniko, translation #3913186 by CH
- Я існую в цьому світіI exist in this world
- Я щасливий/щасливаI am happy
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andriy and Iryna are planning a meeting.
- Андрій AndriiЯ буду вільний о дев'ятій є.Ya budu vilʹnyy o dev'yatii ye.I will be free at nine am.
- Ірина IrynaЦе занадто рано для мене.Tse zanadto rano dlya mene.That is too early for me.
- Андрій AndriiТоді зустрінемося об одинадцятій є.Todi zustrinemosya ob odynadtsyatii ye.Then let's meet at eleven am.
- Ірина IrynaТак, цей час мені підходить.Tak, tsei chas meni pidkhodyt.Yes, that time works for me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry є, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries є, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
