при́вид
prývydmasculine
The Ukrainian word for ghost is при́вид (prývyd). Wiktionary also lists прима́ра (prymára) and мара́ (mará).
Meaning: spirit appearing after death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| при́вид | prývyd | masculine | |
| прима́ра | prymára | feminine | |
| мара́ | mará | feminine | |
| дух | dux | [dux] (narrow) | masculine |
| фанто́м | fantóm | masculine |
Which one should you use?
при́вид is the most common and neutral term for a ghost or specter. дух refers more to a 'spirit' or 'essence' than a visual apparition, though it can be used for a ghost. прима́ра often carries a connotation of an illusion, a phantom or something fleeting and unsubstantial. мара́ is a more poetic or archaic term often used to describe a phantom or a terrifying vision/illusion. фанто́м is typically used in more formal, technical or psychological contexts to mean a phantom.
How does it change in a sentence?
при́вид and дух are masculine nouns. прима́ра and мара́ are feminine nouns. фанто́м is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
prývyd
Did you know?
- Ukrainian folklore distinguishes between ghosts and 'mavky', forest spirits who are often depicted as beautiful women with no backs.
- The word дух shares an ancient root with the English word 'dust', both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰews- meaning 'smoke' or 'vapor'.
- Unlike English where 'spirit' is often abstract, дух can refer to a sudden gust of wind or a breath of air.
Examples in context
- Вона вірить, що при́вид існує.Vona viryt', shcho pryvid existuye.She believes that a ghost exists.
- Цей при́вид з'явився раптово.Tsei pryvid z'yavyvsya raptovo.This ghost appeared suddenly.
Example conversation
Dmytro and Mariia are visiting a haunted castle.
- Дмитро DmytroМаріє, ти чула цей звук?Mariie, ty chula tsey zvuk?Mariia, did you hear that sound?
- Марія MariiaТак, можливо, це якийсь при́вид.Tak, mozhlyvo, tse yakys pryvid.Yes, maybe it is some kind of ghost.
- Дмитро DmytroМені стає дуже моторошно тут.Meni staie duzhe motoroshno tut.I am starting to feel very creeped out here.
- Марія MariiaХодімо звідси швидше, Дмитре!Khodimo zvidsy shvydshe, Dmytre!Let's get out of here faster, Dmytro!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ghost” translations and entries дух, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries дух, CC BY-SA 4.0.
