рак
rak[rak]masculine
The English word cancer is translated into Ukrainian as рак (rak). Wiktionary also lists злоя́кісна пухли́на (zlojákisna puxlýna).
Meaning: disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| рак | rak | [rak] (narrow) | masculine |
| злоя́кісна пухли́на | zlojákisna puxlýna | feminine |
The term refers to the disease characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation. In an astrological or astronomical context, the capitalized form Рак refers to the zodiac sign or the constellation.
Which one should you use?
While рак is the common word for cancer, злоя́кісна пухли́на is a more formal, medical term meaning 'malignant tumor'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that someone has cancer using constructions like 'мати' (to have) or 'у когось є' (someone has), the word рак often appears in the genitive case рака in certain syntactic structures. However, the nominative рак is frequently used in colloquial speech.
How do you pronounce it?
rak
Did you know?
- The adjective form 'злоя́кісна' used in the medical term translates literally to 'malicious' or 'spiteful', personifying the tumor as having bad intent.
- While English uses 'cancer' for both the disease and the crab, Ukrainian uses рак for the disease and the crayfish, but uses краб for a saltwater crab.
- In many Slavic languages, including Ukrainian, the term for cancer is derived from the image of a crab, where the spreading parts of the disease resemble a crab's legs.
Examples in context
- У Тома був рак.Tom had cancer.This sentence demonstrates the use of рак to describe a person's medical condition.Tatoeba #5866182 by deniko, translation #2549612 by CK
- У мого кота рак.My cat has cancer.This sentence shows how to use рак when discussing a pet's illness.Tatoeba #6136711 by deniko, translation #5958709 by mailohilohi
- Це може бути рак.It could be cancer.This sentence illustrates the use of рак when discussing a potential diagnosis.Tatoeba #5866190 by deniko, translation #3422129 by CK
- Її бабуся хворіє на рак молочної залози.Her grandmother has breast cancer.
- Центр досліджень раку проводить конференцію.The cancer research center is organizing a conference.
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a news report in a cafe.
- Ірина IrynaТи бачив новини про новий метод лікування?Ty bachyv novyny pro novyi metod likuvannia?Did you see the news about a new treatment method?
- Андрій AndriiНі, а що там пишуть?Ni, a shcho tam pysiut'?No, what does it say?
- Ірина IrynaВони знайшли спосіб швидше виявляти рак.Vonyi znaishly sposib shvidshe vyiavaty rak.They found a way to detect cancer faster.
- Андрій AndriiЦе дуже важлива новина для медицини.Tse duzhe vazhlyva novyna dlia medytsyny.That is very important news for medicine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cancer” translations and entries рак, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries рак, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
