поцілуй мене
potsilui mene
To say "give me a kiss" in Ukrainian, you use поцілуй мене (potsilui mene).
The phrase is a request for someone to kiss the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word поцілуй is the singular imperative form of the verb поцілувати, which means "to kiss".
Which one should you use?
While поцілуй мене implies a single completed action (a kiss), цілуй мене uses the imperfective aspect and suggests the action of kissing should be ongoing or repeated.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form changes to поцілуйте мене when addressing someone formally or a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
potsilui mene
Did you know?
- The word поцілунок for 'kiss' shares a root with the word цілий, which means 'whole' or 'entire'.
- While поцілуй мене is a direct request, Ukrainians often use the word чмокну (chmoknu) to describe a light, quick peck on the cheek, which mimics the sound of the kiss itself.
- Historically, the 'kiss of peace' in Ukrainian Orthodox traditions involves a specific ritual gesture that is distinct from a romantic поцілуй.
Examples in context
- Поцілуй мене!Give me a kiss!This example shows the phrase used as an exclamation.Tatoeba #6051997 by deniko, translation #5073607 by CarpeLanam
- Поцілуй мене.Give me a kiss.This example shows the phrase used as a standard statement.Tatoeba #670282 by billy_boomo_2, translation #1844204 by CK
- Ох, дай мені поцілунок!Oh, give me a kiss!
- Коханий, дай мені поцілунок!Darling, give me a kiss!
- Будь ласка, поцілуй мене.Bud' laska, potsiul' mene.Please, give me a kiss.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye at the door.
- Марія MariiaДмитро, поцілуй мене!Dmytro, potsiluy mene!Dmytro, give me a kiss!
- Дмитро DmytroЗ радістю, моя люба.Z radistyu, moya lyuba.With pleasure, my dear.
- Марія MariiaЯ буду дуже сумувати.Ya budu duzhe sumuvaty.I will miss you very much.
- Дмитро DmytroЯ теж. До зустрічі!Ya tezh. Do zustrichi!Me too. See you soon!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
