ні, дякую
ni, diakuiu
The English phrase "no, thank you" is translated into Ukrainian as ні, дякую (ni, diakuiu).
ні, дякую is used as a polite way to decline an offer or a request.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word ні (no) and the verb дякую (I thank).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ні, дякую is a standard, polite way to decline an offer that is appropriate in both formal and informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word дякую is the first-person singular form of the verb дякувати (to thank).
How do you pronounce it?
ni, diakuiu
Did you know?
- In some rural areas, a guest might say ні, дякую once as a matter of modesty, even if they actually want the offer, expecting the host to insist a second time.
- The word ні shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'nay', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *néy.
- If you are declining food in a Ukrainian home, simply saying ні, дякую might be met with a second offer, as hospitality is often quite persistent.
Examples in context
- Ні, дякую, я вже їла.Ni, diakuiu, ya vzhe yila.No, thank you, I have already eaten.
- Ні, дякую, мені не потрібна допомога.Ni, diakuiu, meni ne potribna dopomoha.No, thank you, I do not need help.
- Ні, дякую, я зараз зайнята.Ni, diakuiu, ya zaraz zainiata.No, thank you, I am busy right now.
Example conversation
Olena offers Dmytro some tea in the kitchen.
- Олена OlenaДмитро, хочеш чаю?Dmytro, khochesh chayu?Dmytro, do you want some tea?
- Дмитро DmytroНі, дякую, Олено.Ni, dyakuyu, Oleno.No, thank you, Olena.
- Олена OlenaМоже, тоді кави?Mozhe, todil kavy?Maybe some coffee then?
- Дмитро DmytroНі, дякую, я щойно пив каву.Ni, dyakuyu, ya shchnoiy piv kavu.No, thank you, I just had coffee.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries дякую, ні, CC BY-SA 4.0.
