обережно
oberezhno
The English phrase "be careful" is expressed in Ukrainian as обережно (oberezhno).
обережно is used as a warning to tell someone to avoid danger or to exercise caution. In an emergency or a moment of immediate physical danger, calling out Обережно! functions as an exclamation similar to "Watch out!" or "Look out!" in English.
Which one should you use?
While обережно can mean "carefully" (describing the manner in which an action is performed), it is also the standard one-word command used to warn someone to "be careful" in the moment of danger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb обережно is derived from the adjective обережний (careful).
How do you pronounce it?
oberezhno
Did you know?
- The root of обережно is linked to the verb берегти, which means 'to protect' or 'to guard'. To be careful in Ukrainian is fundamentally rooted in the act of protecting something or someone.
- While обережно is the standard warning, in very sudden danger, Ukrainians may omit it entirely and simply shout Ану!, which acts as a sharp 'Hey!' to snap someone's attention.
- When warning someone about a specific physical hazard, Ukrainians often use the phrase Стережися!, which literally translates to 'Guard yourself!'
Examples in context
- Обережно. Він ще гарячий.Be careful. It's still warm.This example shows using обережно to warn someone about something being hot.Tatoeba #7420134 by deniko, translation #7364397 by Hybrid
- Обережно, у цій зоні є пуми.Be careful, there are cougars in this area.This example uses обережно to warn about animals in an area.Tatoeba #4371556 by shanghainese, translation #2220972 by Hybrid
- Мері каже, що буде обережною.Mary says she'll be careful.This example demonstrates the use of the adjective form derived from обережно.Tatoeba #6469150 by deniko, translation #6428061 by CF
- Будьте уважні на дорозі!Be careful on the road!
- Їдеш на велосипеді? Будь обережним!Are you riding a bicycle? Be careful!
- Не забудь замкнути двері! Будь уважний!Don't forget to lock the door! Be careful!
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Irina is warning Dmytro about a slippery floor.
- Ірина IrynaОбережно, тут слизька підлога!Oberezhno, tut slyzka pidloga!Be careful, the floor is slippery here!
- Дмитро DmytroДякую, Ірино. Я помітив.Dyakuyu, Irino. Ya pomytyv.Thank you, Irina. I noticed.
- Ірина IrynaБудь ласка, йди повільно.Bud' laska, ydy povil'no.Please, walk slowly.
- Дмитро DmytroДобре, я буду обережним.Dobre, ya budu oberezhnym.Okay, I will be careful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
