ти мені подобаєшся
ty mení podóbaješsja
The English phrase 'I like you' is expressed in Ukrainian as ти мені подобаєшся (ty mení podóbaješsja).
This phrase is used to express that you like someone. While the verb can be used for objects, when applied to a person, it typically expresses personal attraction or liking someone's character.
Meaning: I like you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'you are pleasing to me'.
Which one should you use?
The form ти мені подобаєшся is used when expressing attraction or liking a person's character.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Ukrainian, the person being liked acts as the subject of the sentence. Use ти мені подобаєшся for the singular/informal 'you' and ви мені подобаєтесь for the plural or formal 'you'.
How do you pronounce it?
ty mení podóbaješsja
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid the incorrect construction 'я тебе подобаю'. In Ukrainian, the person being liked must be the subject.
Did you know?
- The verb подобатися shares a root with the word for 'similar' or 'alike', подібний. This reflects the ancient idea that we are attracted to people who are similar to us or who mirror our own qualities.
- The word ти comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂, making it a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'thou'.
- While ти мені подобаєшся expresses liking or attraction, Ukrainians use a different verb любити to say 'I love you'. The word любити can also mean 'to like' in some contexts, but using it for a person significantly increases the emotional intensity of the statement.
Examples in context
- Гадаю, ти мені подобаєшся.I think I like you.This sentence is useful for expressing a thought about liking someone using ти мені подобаєшся.Tatoeba #6580239 by deniko, translation #1887705 by CK
- Не думаю, що ти мені подобаєшся.I don't think I like you.Tatoeba #6315707 by deniko, translation #2361435 by CK
- Ти мені подобаєшся такою, якою ти є.I like you just as you are.This sentence is useful for expressing liking someone for who they are using ти мені подобаєшся.Tatoeba #8770607 by deniko, translation #8761730 by Amastan
- Давиде, як ти граєш на гітарі – це дійсно круто. Ти мені подобаєшся.David, the way you play the guitar is really cool. I like you.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A quiet evening during a first date.
- Марія MariiaТи мені подобаєшся.Ty meni podobayeshsya.I like you.
- Дмитро DmytroДякую, ти мені теж дуже подобаєшся.Dyakuyu, ty meni tezh duzhe podobayeshsya.Thank you, I like you very much too.
- Марія MariiaТи дуже приємний чоловік.Ty duzhe pryyemnyy cholovik.You are a very pleasant man.
- Дмитро DmytroЦе дуже мило з твого боку.Tse duzhe mylo z tvoho boku.That is very sweet of you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ти, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
