Я з
[ja z]word by word
The English phrase "I am from" is translated into Ukrainian as Я з.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Я з translates to "I from", because the verb "to be" is omitted in the present tense in Ukrainian.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition з (from) requires the noun that follows it to be in the genitive case.
Did you know?
- While Я з means 'I am from', the preposition з also means 'with'. The meaning changes based on the grammatical case of the noun that follows it.
- If you were to say you are from a country using a different preposition, such as із or зі, it would not change the meaning but would simply make the transition between sounds smoother.
- The Ukrainian word я is a distant cousin of the English 'I'. Both words trace their roots back to the Proto-Indo-European word *éǵh₂.
Examples in context
- Так, я з Саппоро.Yes, I am from Sapporo.Tatoeba #2283518 by hectorvk, translation #35569 by gin
- Я з міста Маніла.I am from the City of Manila.Tatoeba #11063208 by Ahha, translation #2295671 by Adelpa
- Я з Північної Америки.I am from North America.Tatoeba #6295944 by deniko, translation #5769784 by mailohilohi
- Я з України.I am from Ukraine.
- Я з Львівщини в Україні.I am from Lviv region, in Ukraine.
- Я зі США.I am from the USA.
- Я з Канади.I am from Canada.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are introducing themselves at a language class.
- Андрій AndriiПривіт, я Андрій. Звідки ти?Pryvit, ya Andriy. Zvidky ty?Hi, I am Andriy. Where are you from?
- Ірина IrynaПривіт! Я Ірина. Я з України.Pryvit! Ya Iryna. Ya z Ukrainy.Hi! I am Iryna. I am from Ukraine.
- Андрій AndriiПриємно познайомитися, Ірино.Pryyemno poznayomytysya, Iryno.Nice to meet you, Iryna.
- Ірина IrynaНавзаєм, Андрію.Navzayem, Andriyu.Likewise, Andriy.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (я, з) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries з, я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
