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 |
In Ukrainian, the choice of word for "go" depends on whether you are moving on foot or by vehicle and whether the movement is a single one-way trip, a habitual action or the act of departing.
Which one should you use?
Ukrainian distinguishes between movement on foot and movement by vehicle. Use іти for movement specifically on foot. For movement by vehicle, such as a car, bus or train, use їхати. There is also a distinction between types of movement. Use ходити to describe habitual movement or movement without a specific one-way direction, such as saying you go to school every day. Regarding aspect, the forms йти and їхати are imperfective, while піти and поїхати are perfective. The perfective forms often emphasize the act of departing or starting a journey: піти means to set off, and поїхати means to set off by vehicle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The perfective form піти emphasizes the act of departing or starting a journey, while the perfective form поїхати emphasizes the act of departing or starting a journey by vehicle.
How do you pronounce it?
йти is pronounced jty.
Did you know?
- Ukrainian has a unique way of describing rain and snow using йти, meaning that precipitation literally 'goes' or 'walks' down from the sky.
- The verb йти can describe a piece of clothing that 'goes' well with a person, meaning it is flattering or in fashion.
- While їхати is used for cars, you also use it when riding a horse, treating the animal as a vehicle rather than a companion walking beside you.
Examples in context
- Я не можу йти.I can't go.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to move 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 move 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 a necessity to move using йти.Tatoeba #491190 by aandrusiak, translation #1277 by vinhan
- Давай підемо у кіно сьогодні вечіром!Let's go to the movies tonight!
- 385 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Dmytro are deciding to take a walk.
- Марія MariiaДавай йти в парк.Davai yty v park.Let's go to the park.
- Дмитро DmytroТи хочеш йти зараз?Ty khochesh yty zaraz?Do you want to go now?
- Марія MariiaТак, я готова йти.Tak, ya hotova yty.Yes, I am ready to go.
- Дмитро DmytroДобре, тоді йдемо!Dobre, todi ydemo!Good, then 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.
