Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| диви́тися | dyvýtysja | imperfective |
| подиви́тися | podyvýtysja | perfective |
The primary meaning is the verb 'to try to see'. Related nouns include по́гляд, which refers to the action of looking and ви́гляд or зо́внішність, which refer to physical appearance or how someone or something looks.
Which one should you use?
The verb has two aspects: диви́тися is the imperfective form, used for describing the ongoing process of looking or a habitual action, while подиви́тися is the perfective form, used for a completed action such as taking a single look. Additionally, while the verb means the act of looking, the noun ви́гляд is used specifically to describe a person's or thing's appearance.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'to look at' a specific person or object, use the verb диви́тися followed by the preposition на and the accusative case.
How do you pronounce it?
dyvýtysja
Did you know?
- While диви́тися is for looking, the noun ди́во for 'miracle' shares the same root because a miracle is something that evokes a gaze of wonder.
- The command диви́сь can be used as a warning meaning 'be careful' or 'watch out', moving the meaning from sight to caution.
- In Ukrainian, the phrase диви́тися is used when someone is 'watching' a movie or TV show, whereas English distinguishes between 'looking' and 'watching'.
Examples in context
- Звертайте увагу на цю важливу інформацію.Pay attention to this important information.
- Подивися, яке гарне море!Look at the beautiful sea!
- Глянь, яка цікава картина!Look, what an interesting painting!
- Глянь, хто підходить!Look, who's coming!
Example conversation
Oleksandr and Nataliia are standing in a park looking at a map.
- Олександр OleksandrНаталія, диви́тися на цю карту.Nataliya, dyvytysya na tsy kartu.Nataliia, look at this map.
- Наталія NataliiaЯ вже диви́тися, де ми зараз.Ya vzhe dyvytysya, de my zaraz.I am already looking at where we are.
- Олександр OleksandrТи бачиш цей парк поруч?Ty bachysh tsy park poruch?Do you see this park nearby?
- Наталія NataliiaТак, тепер я це бачу.Tak, teper ya tse bachu.Yes, now I see it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “look” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
