смерть
smertʹ[smɛrtʲ]feminine
The English word 'death' is translated into Ukrainian as смерть (smertʹ).
смерть is a feminine noun referring to the cessation of life.
Meaning: cessation of life (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes its form depending on how it is used in a sentence. The genitive singular form смерті is used to indicate 'of death', while the instrumental singular form смертю is used to express 'by death' or 'with death'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is smertʹ.
Did you know?
- The word смерть is a cognate with the Old English word 'smert', which meant 'sharp pain' and is the ancestor of the modern English word 'smart' in the sense of a stinging pain.
- The word смертельний (deadly) is used in Ukrainian to describe not just physical danger, but can also be used hyperbolically to describe something extremely boring or 'killingly' tedious.
- The concept of death in Ukrainian culture is often linked to the рушник or ritual embroidered towel, which is used in both wedding and funeral rites to symbolize the transition between worlds.
Examples in context
- Життя це смерть.Life is death.Tatoeba #2265358 by shanghainese, translation #9770510 by DJ_Saidez
- Смерть не лякає мене.Death doesn't scare me.Tatoeba #6138183 by deniko, translation #5956045 by mailohilohi
- Смерть це назавжди.Death is permanent.Tatoeba #10627933 by deniko, translation #1876992 by Spamster
- Повідомлення про смерть Івана доставило сім'ї багато горя.The news of Ivan's death brought great sorrow to the family.
- Бажаю їй вічного упокою.I wish her eternal rest.
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a philosophical book.
- Наталія NataliiaЦя книга про життя і смерть.Tsi knyha pro zhyttya i smert.This book is about life and death.
- Андрій AndriiВона здається дуже сумною.Vona zdayetsya duzhe sumnoyu.It seems very sad.
- Наталія NataliiaАле смерть це частина природи.Ale smert tse chastyna pryrody.But death is a part of nature.
- Андрій AndriiЯ згоден з тобою, Наталіє.Ya zhoden z toboyu, Nataliyye.I agree with you, Natalia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “death” translations and entries смерть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
