ні війні
ni viyni
The English phrase 'no war' is translated into Ukrainian as ні війні (ni viyni).
This phrase is used as a slogan to express a desire for peace and the absence of armed conflict.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means 'no to war'. This is because ні means 'no' and війні is the dative case of the noun війна (war).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word війні is the dative case of the noun війна (war).
How do you pronounce it?
ni viyni
Did you know?
- While ні війні is a slogan, Ukrainians often use the word мир to mean both 'peace' and 'the world', creating a poetic duality where peace and the entire earth are the same word.
- The word ні shares an ancient root with the English word 'neither', both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European source.
- Ukrainian distinguishes between different types of peace. While мир describes the absence of war, the word спокій is used specifically for inner peace or tranquility.
Examples in context
- Це наш спільний голос: ні війні!Tse nash spil'nyi holos: ni viyny!This is our collective voice: no war!
Example conversation
Natalia and Serhii are preparing signs for a peace rally.
- Наталія NataliiaСергію, що нам написати на цьому листі?Serhiyu, shcho nam napysaty na tsomu lysti?Serhii, what should we write on this sheet?
- Сергій SerhiiДавай напишемо просто: ні війні.Davay napyshemo prosto: ni viyni.Let's just write: no war.
- Наталія NataliiaЦе найкращий і найсильніший варіант.Tse naikrashchyi i naisylnishiy variant.That is the best and most powerful option.
- Сергій SerhiiЗгоден, Наталіє. Бери маркер.Zhoden, Nataliye. Bery marker.I agree, Natalia. Take the marker.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ні, CC BY-SA 4.0.
