милий
mylyi
The English phrase 'lovely' is translated into Ukrainian as милий (mylyi).
милий is an adjective used to describe something that is beautiful, charming or very pleasing in its form, appearance, tone or manner. While it can mean 'lovely', it often carries a connotation of being 'cute' or 'sweet', particularly when describing a person's temperament or a small object.
Meaning: beautiful, charming, very pleasing in form, looks, tone, or manner (adj)
Which one should you use?
If you want to emphasize aesthetic beauty or high quality rather than 'cuteness', the word гарний is often a more direct equivalent for 'lovely' or 'beautiful' than милий.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use милий for masculine nouns, мила for feminine nouns, миле for neuter nouns and милі for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
mylyi
Did you know?
- The word милий descends from the Proto-Slavic root *milъ, which is a distant relative of the English word 'mild'.
- In some contexts, милий can be used sarcastically to describe someone who is pretending to be sweet but is actually being annoying or manipulative.
- The word милий can also function as a noun in specific poetic or romantic contexts to mean 'my dear' or 'my beloved'.
Examples in context
- Колір милий.The color is lovely.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to describe a color using милий.Tatoeba #11061489 by Ahha, translation #10497199 by CM
- Ваш наряд дійсно гарнийYour outfit is truly lovely
- Ви маєте прекрасну особистістьYou have a lovely personality
- Ця картинка гарненькаThis picture is lovely
- Ти сьогодні виглядаєш чудовоYou look lovely today
- Ця пісня дійсно красиваThis song is truly lovely
- Твій виступ був надзвичайно гарнийYour performance was extremely lovely
- Яка прекрасна квітка!What a lovely flower!
- Цей малюнок дуже милий.Tse malyunok duzhe mylyy.This drawing is very lovely.
- У неї милий голос.U neyi mylyy holos.She has a lovely voice.
Example conversation
Oleksandr and Iryna are looking at a handmade gift.
- Олександр OleksandrПодивись, який милий подарунок!Podyvys, yakyy mylyy podarunok!Look, what a lovely gift!
- Ірина IrynaТак, він дуже гарний.Tak, vin duzhe harnyy.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- Олександр OleksandrТобі подобається цей колір?Tobi podobaet'sya tsey kolir?Do you like this color?
- Ірина IrynaТак, він дуже ніжний.Tak, vin duzhe nizhnyi.Yes, it is very soft.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries милий, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
