Хай живе Україна
Khay zhyve Ukrayina
The English phrase "long live Ukraine" is translated into Ukrainian as Хай живе Україна (Khay zhyve Ukrayina).
Хай живе Україна is a standard patriotic slogan. It is used in political, ceremonial and nationalistic contexts to express a wish for the continued existence and prosperity of the country.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the particle хай (may/let), the verb живе (lives) and the noun Україна (Ukraine).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb живе is in the third-person singular present tense to agree with the singular subject Україна.
How do you pronounce it?
Khay zhyve Ukrayina
Did you know?
- Ukrainian has a specific word for 'borderland' integrated into the name Україна, but the root край also describes the physical 'edge' of a table or a piece of fabric.
- While 'long live' sounds like a command in English, the Ukrainian particle хай acts more like an optative, turning the exclamation into a gentle, prayer-like wish.
- The phrase is a variation of the more common Слава Україні, meaning 'Glory to Ukraine'. While the latter is a call and response, Хай живе Україна functions as a standalone exclamation.
Examples in context
- Хай живе Україна, наша рідна країна!Khai zhyve Ukrayina, nasha ridna kraina!Long live Ukraine, our native country!
Example conversation
Nataliia and Serhii are attending a patriotic rally.
- Наталія NataliiaДивись, скільки людей тут сьогодні!Dyvys', skil'ky lyudey tut s'ohodni!Look how many people are here today!
- Сергій SerhiiТак, це дуже надихає, Наталіє.Tak, tse duzhe nadykhae, Nataliyye.Yes, this is very inspiring, Nataliia.
- Наталія NataliiaХай живе Україна!Khai zhyve Ukrayina!Long live Ukraine!
- Сергій SerhiiСлава Україні!Slava Ukrayini!Glory to Ukraine!
