сир
syr[sɪr]masculine
The Ukrainian word for cheese is сир (syr).
сир is a noun used to describe a dairy product. In many contexts, it refers specifically to soft white cheese.
Meaning: dairy product (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Western Ukraine, the word бринза is used specifically to refer to sheep cheese.
How does it change in a sentence?
сир is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is syr.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse сир with the word for curd or cottage cheese, which is also сир, but in many contexts, the word refers specifically to soft white cheese.
Did you know?
- The Ukrainian word сир shares an ancient linguistic ancestor with the English word 'sour', reflecting the fermented nature of many cheeses.
- While сир covers both hard and soft cheese, Ukrainians often use the phrase сирники to describe a popular breakfast of fried cheese pancakes made from сир.
- Ukrainian folk songs often mention сир in the context of pastoral life and mountain shepherding, symbolizing wealth and sustenance.
Examples in context
- Я не люблю сир.I don't like cheese.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for сир.Tatoeba #6131549 by deniko, translation #3196474 by Theocracy
- Хто з'їв увесь сир?Who ate all the cheese?This sentence is useful for asking about the disappearance of сир.Tatoeba #9082012 by deniko, translation #8553850 by CK
- Я не дуже люблю сир.I don't really like cheese.This sentence is useful for expressing that one does not particularly like сир.Tatoeba #9794813 by deniko, translation #9344168 by CK
- У рецепті потрібно додати трошки сиру.In the recipe, you need to add some cheese.
- Побачивши собаку, хлопчик намагався накормити її кавалками сира.Seeing the dog, the boy tried to feed it with cheese pieces.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Natalia and Serhii are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- Наталія NataliiaТи хочеш сир на сніданок?Ty khochesh syr na snidanok?Do you want cheese for breakfast?
- Сергій SerhiiТак, будь ласка, дай мені сир.Tak, bud' laska, day meni syr.Yes, please, give me the cheese.
- Наталія NataliiaЯкий сир тобі більше подобається?Yakyy syr tobi bilshe podobayet'sya?Which cheese do you like more?
- Сергій SerhiiМені подобається цей твердий сир.Meni podobayet'sya tsey tverdiy syr.I like this hard cheese.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries сир, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries сир, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
