вели́кий
velýkyj
The Ukrainian word for big is вели́кий (velýkyj).
The word великий is used to describe things of a great size. Beyond physical size, it is also the standard word for great when referring to importance, status or quality.
Meaning: of a great size (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective вели́кий must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Use the masculine form вели́кий, the feminine form велика, the neuter form велике́ or the plural form вели́кі.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is velýkyj.
Did you know?
- When referring to the 'big' (older) sibling, Ukrainians often use the adjective старший (older) instead of великий, because 'big' in a family context refers to age, not height.
- In some regional dialects, speakers might use великий to describe someone who is 'proud' or 'haughty', suggesting they think too highly of themselves.
- Ukrainian uses великий in the term Великий піст, referring to the 'Great Lent', a period of fasting that is defined by spiritual significance rather than physical size.
Examples in context
- Київ – велике місто.Kyiv – a big city.
- Я маю великий-великий дар.I have a really big gift.
- Ці гори – величні.These mountains are big.
Example conversation
Oleksandr and Mariia are looking at a map.
- Олександр OleksandrДивись, це вели́кий парк!Dyvys', tse velykyi park!Look, this is a big park!
- Марія MariiaТак, він справді величезний.Tak, vin spravdi velecheznyi.Yes, it is truly huge.
- Олександр OleksandrМи можемо там прогулятися.My mozhemo tam prohuliatysia.We can take a walk there.
- Марія MariiaЦе чудова ідея, Олександре.Tse chudova ideia, Oleksandre.That is a great idea, Oleksandr.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “big” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
