веселих свят
veselykh svyat
веселих свят (veselykh svyat) is the Ukrainian way to say happy holidays.
This phrase is a versatile, secular greeting that can be used for various winter holidays or any festive season.
Meaning: holiday greeting (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective веселих (happy/joyful) and the noun свят (holidays/festivities).
Which one should you use?
The phrase веселі свята is the nominative form used for statements like 'The holidays are happy', whereas the genitive form веселих свят is used specifically for the greeting itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase веселих свят is in the genitive plural case, which is the standard form used for making wishes or greetings in Ukrainian.
How do you pronounce it?
veselykh svyat
Did you know?
- The root of свят is shared with the word свято, which is the noun for 'holiday', but it also relates to the concept of something 'sacred'.
- In many parts of Ukraine, the concept of 'festivity' is deeply tied to the word веселощі, which implies not just joy but also loud, boisterous communal celebrations and dancing.
- During the winter season, people might replace веселих with чарівних (magical) to give the phrase a more fairytale-like, cozy feeling.
Examples in context
- Він побажав їй веселих свят.He had wished her happy holidays.This sentence shows how to use веселих свят in the context of someone wishing another person a happy holiday.Tatoeba #514372 by deniko, translation #510861 by wma
- Веселих свят.Happy holidays.This sentence provides a direct example of using веселих свят as a standalone greeting.Tatoeba #5713208 by deniko, translation #2044389 by CK
- З Новим Роком і Різдвом усім!Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to everyone!
- Веселих свят, мої друзі!Happy holidays, my friends!
- Бажаю вам веселих свят!Bazhayu vam veselykh svyat!I wish you happy holidays!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Serhii and Iryna are meeting at a cafe before the winter break.
- Сергій SerhiiПривіт, Ірино! Бажаю тобі веселих свят!Privit, Iryno! Bazhayu tobi veselykh svyat!Hi, Iryna! I wish you happy holidays!
- Ірина IrynaДякую, Сергію! І тобі веселих свят!Dyakuyu, Serhiyu! I tobi veselykh svyat!Thank you, Serhii! Happy holidays to you too!
- Сергій SerhiiЯк твої плани на канікули?Yak tvoi plany na kanikuly?What are your plans for the holidays?
- Ірина IrynaЯ просто хочу відпочити вдома.Ya prosto khochu vidpochyty vdoma.I just want to rest at home.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
