Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| малюва́ти | maljuváty | imperfective |
| рисува́ти | rysuváty | imperfective |
| нарисува́ти | narysuváty | perfective |
| намалюва́ти | namaljuváty | perfective |
The primary meaning is to produce a picture. It is used to describe both the act of drawing and the act of painting, especially when color is involved. This term is frequently used to describe children's artistic activities or more colorful processes.
Which one should you use?
малюва́ти is the most common, general term used for both drawing and painting, often implying the use of color. рисува́ти is another way to say to draw. To express a finished result or a completed action, you should use the perfective forms нарисува́ти (a finished drawing) or намалюва́ти (to have drawn or painted a completed work).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The language distinguishes between imperfective and perfective aspects. The imperfective forms малюва́ти and рисува́ти describe the ongoing process of drawing. The perfective forms намалюва́ти and нарисува́ти are used when focusing on the completed result or the fact that the drawing has been finished.
How do you pronounce it?
maljuváty
Did you know?
- In old Ukrainian traditions, the act of drawing patterns on eggs for Easter, called писа́нки, uses the root for 'writing' rather than 'drawing'.
- If you are 'drawing' a conclusion or 'drawing' a line in the sand, Ukrainian uses entirely different verbs that have no relation to the artistic малюва́ти or рисува́ти.
- The perfective form намалюва́ти is used not just for finishing a picture, but also to describe the act of 'drawing' a fake expression or smile on one's face.
Examples in context
- Ти можеш це намалювати для мене?Can you draw this for me?
- Я люблю малювати.I love to draw.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “draw” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
