ліка́рня
likárnjafeminine
The English word hospital is translated into Ukrainian as ліка́рня (likárnja). Wiktionary also lists шпита́ль (špytálʹ) and го́спіталь (hóspitalʹ).
Meaning: large medical facility (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ліка́рня | likárnja | feminine |
| шпита́ль | špytálʹ | masculine |
| го́спіталь | hóspitalʹ | masculine |
| болни́ця | bolnýcja | feminine |
The term refers to a large medical facility.
Which one should you use?
The word ліка́рня is the most common, neutral term for a hospital in everyday Ukrainian. In contrast, шпита́ль is often used in a military context or in more formal, slightly dated settings. болни́ця is more characteristic of Western Ukrainian dialects or certain regional usage compared to the standard ліка́рня.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is likárnja.
Did you know?
- The root of болни́ця is the word бо́ль, which means 'pain'. Literally, the word translates to a place for 'pain'.
- The term шпита́ль is a linguistic relative of the English 'hospital', but using it in a civilian, non-military context in Ukraine can make you sound like a character from a 19th-century novel.
- In historical contexts, го́спіталь was often associated specifically with 'hospices' or shelters for the poor and pilgrims, rather than just surgical centers.
Examples in context
- Як довго треба їхати до лікарні?How long does it take to get to the hospital?
- Як далеко до районної лікарні?How far is it to the district hospital?
- Записуйтесь на прийом в поліклінику заздалегідь.Make an appointment with the outpatient clinic in advance.
- Ця ліка́рня знаходиться в центрі міста.Tsya likarnya znakhodyt'sya v tsentri mista.This hospital is located in the city center.
Example conversation
Irina is asking Oleksandr for directions in the city.
- Ірина IrynaОлександре, де тут ліка́рня?Oleksandre, de tut likarnya?Oleksandr, where is the hospital here?
- Олександр OleksandrВона за тим поворотом.Vona za tym povorotom.It is past that turn.
- Ірина IrynaЦе далеко відсиди?Tse daleko vidsydy?Is it far from here?
- Олександр OleksandrНі, це лише п'ять хвилин.Ni, tse lyshe p'yat' khvylyn.No, it is only five minutes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hospital” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
