хло́пчик
xlópčykmasculine
The English word boy is translated into Ukrainian as хло́пчик (xlópčyk) or хло́пець.
Meaning: male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| хло́пчик | xlópčyk | masculine |
| хло́пець | xlópecʹ | masculine |
The term хло́пчик is a common way to refer to a boy and is often used by adults to address young boys in a respectful and endearing manner. For a very young boy, such as an infant or toddler, the affectionate term малюк is used. In casual settings, the slang term пацан can be used to refer to a boy, a young man or a guy.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the two forms based on age. хло́пчик is used for a young child, whereas хло́пець is used for an older boy or young man, often implying a more adolescent or adult stage.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word хло́пець, the plural genitive form is хло́пців. This form is used after numbers (like 5, 6, 7…) or to indicate possession.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xlópčyk.
Did you know?
- In historical Ukrainian, the word хлоп (khlop) referred to a peasant or a laborer, a meaning that has largely vanished from modern usage of хло́пець.
- While хло́пець means 'boy', it is also the standard, non-slang way to say 'boyfriend' when talking about a romantic partner.
- Using хло́пець to describe a grown man is sometimes used as a compliment to his physical strength or youthful energy.
Examples in context
- Малий хлопчикLittle boy
- Цей хло́пчик дуже розумний.Tsey khlopchyk duzhe rozumnyy.This boy is very smart.
- Маленький хло́пчик грається у дворі.Malen'kyy khlopchyk hrayetsya u dvori.A little boy is playing in the yard.
- Хло́пчик малює гарну картинку.Khlopchyk maluye harnu kartynku.The boy is drawing a beautiful picture.
Example conversation
Dmytro and Olena are looking at a photo of a child.
- Дмитро DmytroПодивись, який гарний хло́пчик!Pohudyvys, yakyi harnyi khlopchyk!Look, what a handsome boy!
- Олена OlenaТак, це мій племінник.Tak, tse mii pleminnyk.Yes, that is my nephew.
- Дмитро DmytroСкільки років цьому хло́пчику?Skilky rokiv tsomu khlopchyku?How old is this boy?
- Олена OlenaЙому всього три роки.Yomu vsioho try roky.He is only three years old.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
