щасли́вий
ščaslývyj
In Ukrainian, the default form for happy is щасли́вий (ščaslývyj). Wiktionary also lists ра́дісний (rádisnyj).
Meaning: contented, joyous (adj)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| щасли́вий | ščaslývyj |
| ра́дісний | rádisnyj |
The words used to describe happiness in Ukrainian distinguish between a deep, long-term state of being and a more immediate, surface-level emotion.
Which one should you use?
щасливий refers to a deep, long-term state of happiness or being 'blessed'. In contrast, ра́дісний describes a more immediate, outward expression of joy or a fleeting sense of being 'glad' or 'cheerful' in a specific moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective щасливий changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: the feminine form is щаслива, the neuter form is щасливе and the plural form is щасливі.
How do you pronounce it?
ščaslývyj
Did you know?
- In Ukrainian, the word for 'happiness' itself, щастя, is a noun that can be used as a term of endearment for a loved one, effectively calling them 'my happiness'.
- To wish someone a 'happy journey', Ukrainians say щасливої дороги, which literally translates to a 'lucky road'.
- In traditional Ukrainian folklore and songs, the concept of щастя (happiness) is often portrayed as something that can be sought, lost or even 'found' in a physical sense.
Examples in context
- Я бажаю вам радості та щастя!I wish you joy and happiness!
- Вітаю з днем народження! Бажаю тобі багато щастя!Happy birthday! I wish you lots of happiness!
- Я щасливий.I am happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
