це́рква
cérkvafeminine
The English word 'church' is translated into Ukrainian as either це́рква (cérkva) or костьо́л.
Meaning: house of worship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| це́рква | cérkva | feminine |
| костьо́л | kostʹól | Catholic, masculine |
Both words refer to a house of worship, but they are used to distinguish between different Christian traditions.
Which one should you use?
це́рква is the general term for a church and is the term most commonly used for Orthodox Christian churches. In contrast, костьо́л is used specifically to refer to a Roman Catholic church.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term костьо́л is particularly common in Western Ukraine.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun це́рква changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. The plural form is церкви. When це́рква is the direct object of a sentence, such as in 'I see the church', it changes to the form церкву.
How do you pronounce it?
cérkva
Did you know?
- The word костьо́л is a loanword from the Polish kościół, which explains why it is more frequently heard in areas that were historically part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
- Ukrainian has a specific term деревяна церква for 'wooden church', a celebrated architectural style that distinguishes traditional Ukrainian rural landscapes from the stone cathedrals of cities.
- While це́рква is the general term, a very large or historically significant church is called a собо́р, which refers specifically to a cathedral.
Examples in context
- Де знаходиться найближча церква? Ви повинні пройти уздовж цієї вулиці і повернути направо.Where is the nearest church? You must walk along this street and turn right.
- Які головні правила відвідування храму в Україні? Обов'язково одягніться скромно і не розмовляйте голосно.What are the main rules for visiting a temple in Ukraine? Be sure to dress modestly and do not speak loudly.
- Спланували відвідати собор в центрі Києва? Так, я чула, що його архітектура захоплююча. Це буде цікаво!Did you plan to visit the cathedral in the center of Kyiv? Yes, I heard its architecture is amazing. It will be interesting!
Example conversation
Nataliia and Serhii are walking through the city center.
- Наталія NataliiaПодивись, яка красива це́рква!Podyvys, yaka krasyva tserkva!Look, what a beautiful church!
- Сергій SerhiiТак, вона виглядає дуже великою.Tak, vona vyhlyadayu duzhe velykoyu.Yes, it looks very large.
- Наталія NataliiaМи можемо зайти всередину?My mozhemo zayty vseredynu?Can we go inside?
- Сергій SerhiiЗвісно, ходімо подивимося.Zvisno, khodimo podyvymosya.Of course, let's go see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “church” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
