How to Say “I Like” in Ukrainian

Мені подобається
The English phrase "I like" is translated into Ukrainian as Мені подобається.
Мені подобається is used to express a feeling of pleasure or liking toward something.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase literally translates to "to me it pleases", where Мені is the dative form of "I".

Which one should you use?

While Мені подобається expresses a feeling of pleasure or liking, the verb любити is used for more intense affection or habitual actions.

How does it change in a sentence?

When the thing you like is plural, the verb changes from подобається to подобаються.

What mistakes should you avoid?

English speakers often mistakenly use the nominative Я instead of the dative Мені when expressing liking something.

Did you know?

  • In Ukrainian, the word подобатися (to please) shares a root with the word for 'likeness' or 'resemblance'. To say something pleases you is linguistically linked to the idea of things being similar or matching.
  • While Мені подобається describes something pleasing, the verb любити is used to express love for people and is also the standard way to say you like coffee or tea.
  • To say you 'really like' something, Ukrainians often use the word дуже before подобається, but for intense passion, they switch verbs entirely to захоплюватися, meaning to be fascinated.

Examples in context

  • Мені подобається ця гра.
    I like this game.
    This sentence is useful for saying you like a specific game using Мені подобається.
    Tatoeba #6042968 by deniko, translation #2377486 by CK
  • Ось як мені подобається.
    That's the way I like it.
    This sentence is useful for saying "That's the way I like it" using Мені подобається.
    Tatoeba #6940917 by deniko, translation #1977692 by Spamster
  • Мені подобається це шоу.
    I like this show.
    This sentence is useful for saying you like a show using Мені подобається.
    Tatoeba #8834095 by deniko, translation #8834093 by deniko
  • Я дуже люблю цю пісню
    I really like this song
  • Які книжки Вам подобаються?
    What kind of books do you like?
  • Чи подобається тобі цей фільм?
    Do you like this movie?
  • Так, мені подобається!
    Yes, I like it!
  • 461 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Dmytro and Maria are looking at a painting in a gallery.

  1. Дмитро Dmytro

    Дивись, мені подобається цей картина.
    Dyvys', meni podobaietsia tsei kartyna.
    Look, I like this painting.
  2. Марія Mariia

    Вона справді дуже яскрава.
    Vona spravdi duzhe yaskrava.
    It really is very bright.
  3. Дмитро Dmytro

    Так, вона виглядає дуже сучасно.
    Tak, vona vyhliadaie duzhe suchasno.
    Yes, it looks very modern.
  4. Марія Mariia

    Мені теж подобається цей стиль.
    Meni tezh podobaietsia tsei styl'.
    I like this style too.

Sources

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Cassandra Anna
Cassandra AnnaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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