Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| йти | jty | [i̯tɪ] (narrow) | imperfective |
| ходи́ти | xodýty | abstract | |
| іти́ | itý | concrete | |
| піти́ | pitý | perfective | |
| ї́здити | jízdyty | abstract, imperfective | |
| пої́здити | pojízdyty | concrete, perfective | |
| ї́хати | jíxaty | imperfective | |
| пої́хати | pojíxaty | perfective |
The term 'go' in Ukrainian is split between movement on foot and movement by vehicle, as well as between continuous processes and completed actions. Use forms related to walking for foot travel and forms related to riding for travel by vehicle (such as a car or train).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on how you are traveling and the duration of the movement. For walking, use іти to describe a single, continuous movement in one direction, while ходити is used for habitual movement or a round trip. For traveling by vehicle, use їхати for ongoing movement and поїхати for a single, completed trip or the act of departing by vehicle. To describe the act of departure or the completion of a movement on foot, you can use the perfective form піти.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ukrainian verbs are categorized by aspect. The forms йти, їхати and ходити are imperfective, describing ongoing or habitual actions. The forms піти, поїхати and пої́здити are perfective, emphasizing the completion of an action or the specific moment of departure.
How do you pronounce it?
The default form йти is pronounced as jty.
Did you know?
- The verb йти is used to describe the movement of rain or snow. A Ukrainian speaker would say that rain is 'going' rather than 'falling'.
- When a Ukrainian speaker says a piece of clothing йде to someone, they aren't saying it is walking, but that it suits them or looks good on them.
- The verb йти is used to describe the spread of a fire or the flow of a river. In these cases, the 'going' refers to the natural direction of the current or flame.
Examples in context
- Я не можу йти.I can't go.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to go using йти.Tatoeba #5943068 by deniko, translation #1951742 by CK
- Я не хочу йти.I don't want to go.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to go using йти.Tatoeba #6828634 by deniko, translation #1841684 by CK
- Я маю йти спати.I have to go to sleep.This sentence is useful for expressing an obligation to go to sleep using йти.Tatoeba #491190 by aandrusiak, translation #1277 by vinhan
- 385 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Natalia and Dmytro are deciding where to walk.
- Наталія NataliiaКуди ми будемо йти сьогодні?Kudy my budemo yty s'ohodni?Where are we going today?
- Дмитро DmytroДавай йти в парк.Davay yty v park.Let's go to the park.
- Наталія NataliiaЯ хочу йти повільно.Ya khochu yty povil'no.I want to go slowly.
- Дмитро DmytroДобре, Наталіє, йдемо.Dobre, Nataliye, ydemo.Okay, Natalia, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries йти, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
