цибу́ля
cybúljafeminine
The English word "onion" is translated into Ukrainian as цибу́ля (cybúlja), лу́ковиця or цибу́лина.
Meaning: bulb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| цибу́ля | cybúlja | feminine |
| лу́ковиця | lúkovycja | feminine |
| цибу́лина | cybúlyna | feminine |
In a culinary context, such as a recipe or a grocery list, цибу́ля is the standard term used for an onion. The other forms, лу́ковиця and цибу́лина, often refer more specifically to the botanical bulb structure.
Which one should you use?
цибу́ля is the most common way to refer to the vegetable in general. In contrast, лу́ковиця and цибу́лина often refer more specifically to the botanical bulb structure.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
cybúlja
Did you know?
- In Ukrainian folklore and traditional medicine, цибу́ля was historically believed to ward off evil spirits and diseases, often being hung in homes as a protective amulet.
- The root лу́к found in лу́ковиця is also the root for the Ukrainian word for 'bow' as in 'bow and arrow', though the two meanings are entirely unrelated.
- In traditional Ukrainian architecture, the 'onion dome' of a church is referred to using a term related to лу́ковиця because of its distinct shape.
Examples in context
- Вибачте, де можна купити цибулю?Excuse me, where can I buy an onion?
- Мама додала цибулю до страви.Mom added onion to the dish.
- Мені потрібна одна цибу́ля.Meni potribna odna tsybulya.I need one onion.
- Ця цибу́ля дуже велика.Tsya tsybulya duzhe velyka.This onion is very large.
- Чи є у вас свіжа цибу́ля?Chy ye u vas svizha tsybulya?Do you have fresh onion?
Example conversation
At a local grocery store.
- Марія MariiaДобрий день, у вас є цибу́ля?Dobryi den, u vas ye tsybulya?Good day, do you have onion?
- Сергій SerhiiТак, вона дуже свіжа.Tak, vona duzhe svizha.Yes, it is very fresh.
- Марія MariiaДайте мені кілограм, будь ласка.Dayte meni kilohram, bud laska.Give me a kilogram, please.
- Сергій SerhiiЗараз я все зважу.Zaraz ya vse zvazhu.I will weigh it all now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onion” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
