Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| подару́нок | podarúnok | masculine | |
| дару́нок | darúnok | ||
| дар | dar | [dar] (narrow) | |
| рале́ць | ralécʹ | masculine | |
| презе́нт | prezént | masculine | |
| гости́нець | hostýnecʹ | masculine |
Ukrainian offers various words for "gift" depending on whether you are referring to a physical object, an abstract talent or a specific type of offering. While подару́нок and дарунок are used for general presents, гости́нець is a specific term for a gift of food or treats brought to a host. Презе́нт is a loanword used for a present, and рале́ць can also be used for a small gift.
What does it mean word for word?
The word подару́нок is derived from the verb дарува́ти, meaning to give or bestow, with the prefix по- added.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the gift. Подару́нок refers to a physical object. In contrast, дар often refers to an abstract gift, such as a talent or a divine blessing. Дарунок is a synonym for подару́нок but is perceived as more literary or elevated. Гости́нець is used specifically for small gifts of food or sweets.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The words подару́нок, рале́ць, презе́нт and гости́нець are all masculine nouns. The verbs дарува́ти and подарува́ти are transitive verbs used to mean "to give as a gift".
How do you pronounce it?
podarúnok
When do people say it?
When visiting someone, it is customary to bring a гости́нець, which is a small gift of food or treats. The term сюрприз is also frequently used to refer to an unexpected present or a surprise.
Did you know?
- The term гости́нець comes from the word гість, meaning 'guest'. This highlights the cultural importance of the guest-host relationship in Ukrainian traditions.
- The word презе́нт is a loanword from French or German, and using it can make the speaker sound more urban or cosmopolitan compared to using the traditional подару́нок.
- The word дар comes from the Proto-Slavic root *darъ, which is shared across almost all Slavic languages to denote the act of giving.
Examples in context
- Моя порада нічого не даруй Тому.My suggestion is that you not give Tom any kind of gift.This sentence shows how to use the form дар in a negative suggestion.Tatoeba #8343420 by deniko, translation #3127987 by CK
- Дарованому коневі в зуби не заглядають.Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.This sentence illustrates a common proverb using the form дар.Tatoeba #422277 by Ahha, translation #404824 by MUIRIEL
- Може статися, що ШІ стане посмертним даром людства Всесвіту.AI may turn out to be humanity's posthumous gift to the Universe.This sentence uses the form дар in a metaphorical context regarding a gift to the universe.Tatoeba #14048003 by deniko, translation #14048002 by deniko
- Дякую вам за гарний дарунок!Thank you for the lovely gift!
- Я хочу здивувати її маленьким подарочком.I want to surprise her with a small gift.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gift” translations and entries дар, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries дар, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
