ведмідь
vedmid'
The Ukrainian word for bear is ведмідь (vedmid').
The term refers to the large mammal of the family Ursidae.
Meaning: large mammal of family Ursidae (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes to ведмедя in the genitive case (for example, when expressing 'of a bear') and to ведмеді in the dative and locative cases.
How do you pronounce it?
vedmid'
Did you know?
- In many Slavic-influenced contexts, including parts of Ukraine, the word 'bear' was historically treated as a taboo name. People used descriptive euphemisms to avoid summoning the actual creature in the forest.
- The word ведмідь contains a hidden reference to honey. It is etymologically derived from a term meaning 'honey-eater', reflecting the animal's diet.
- In Ukrainian proverbs, the bear is frequently used to represent a clumsy or overly strong person who lacks subtlety in their actions.
Examples in context
- Як довго спить ведмідь?How long does a bear sleep?This sentence is useful for asking about the sleep duration of a ведмідь.Tatoeba #472656 by deniko, translation #18082 by CK
- Він огрядний, як ведмідь.He is as fat as a bear.This sentence is useful for using ведмідь in a comparison regarding size or weight.Tatoeba #4120345 by shanghainese, translation #1446830 by marcelostockle
- Ведмідь підходить до нас.The bear is coming towards us.This sentence is useful for describing the movement of a ведмідь.Tatoeba #7928973 by deniko, translation #7822646 by theachaean
- Я бачив великого ведмедя у лісі.I saw a big bear in the forest.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a nature documentary on television.
- Дмитро DmytroДивись, який великий ведмідь!Dyvys', yakyi velykyi vedmid'Look, what a big bear!
- Марія MariiaТак, він дуже сильний.Tak, vin duzhe syl'nyy.Yes, he is very strong.
- Дмитро DmytroЦей ведмідь збирає ягоди.Tseʹ vedmidʹ zbiraie yady.This bear is gathering berries.
- Марія MariiaДмитре, він виглядає дуже мило.Dmytre, vin vyhliadaie duzhe mylo.Dmytro, he looks very cute.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ведмідь, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
