чорт
čort[t͡ʃɔrt]
The Ukrainian word for damn is чорт (čort).
Чорт is used as a non-vulgar expression of contempt. Common idiomatic expressions include Чорт забирай!, which functions like "Damn it!" or "Blast it!" and Чорт побери!, an informal way to say "To hell with it!" Another informal way to express annoyance is От, біси подери!, which translates to "Damn it!"
Meaning: non-vulgar expression of contempt etc. (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word чорт literally means "devil".
Which one should you use?
Чорт is considered a mild way to express contempt and is much less offensive than using actual profanity or vulgarity (mat) in Ukrainian.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is чорт and the plural form is чорти. While чорт is the subject in the phrase Чорт би тебе побрав, the word changes to the accusative form чорта in other common curses like Чорта з тебе!
How do you pronounce it?
čort
Did you know?
- In Ukrainian folklore, a чорт is often depicted not as a terrifying monster but as a cunning, comical trickster who can be outsmarted by a clever peasant.
- The phrase чорт знає is used to say 'heaven knows' or 'who knows', shifting the lack of knowledge to the devil rather than a divine power.
- In some contexts, calling someone a чортеня (a little devil) is actually a compliment to a child's cleverness or spirit rather than an insult.
Examples in context
- Чорт би тебе побрав.Damn you.This sentence shows how to use чорт to say "Damn you.".Tatoeba #11704462 by bicolino34, translation #6099232 by mailohilohi
- Чорти б тебе позабирали!God damn you!This sentence uses the plural form of чорт to say "God damn you!"Tatoeba #6405810 by deniko, translation #8758241 by deniko
- Чорт забирай! Це непогано!Damn! It's not bad!This sentence shows an idiomatic exclamation using чорт to mean "Damn!"Tatoeba #5728561 by deniko, translation #1572 by AlanF_US
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andriy accidentally spills coffee on the table.
- Андрій AndriiЧорт! Я все розлив.Chort! Ya vse rozlyv.Damn! I spilled everything.
- Марія MariiaТи будь обережніше, Андрію.Ty bud oberezhnishe, Andriyu.Be more careful, Andriy.
- Андрій AndriiЯ знаю, чорт забирай!Ya znayu, chort zabiraay!I know, damn it!
- Марія MariiaДавай я допоможу прибрати.Davay ya dopomozhu prybraty.Let me help you clean up.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry чорт, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
