біль
bilʹ[bʲilʲ]masculine
The English word 'pain' is translated into Ukrainian as біль (bilʹ).
біль is used to refer to bodily suffering or an ache. You can use the word сильний (strong) to describe a high intensity of pain. Specific locations can be described using this noun, such as біль у животі for 'pain in the stomach'. While біль can refer to physical suffering, the phrase душевний біль or емоційний дискомфорт is used when discussing emotional pain.
Meaning: ache or bodily suffering (noun)
Which one should you use?
біль is the noun used to name the sensation itself. If you wish to describe the source of the sensation or the feeling as being painful, you should use the adjective болючий instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
біль is a masculine noun, which means any adjectives or verbs modifying it must agree with this gender. The word changes form depending on its role in a sentence: the genitive form болю is used after certain prepositions or words indicating quantity, such as немає (there is no) or від (from) and the instrumental form болем is used to describe the manner in which something is experienced or felt.
How do you pronounce it?
bilʹ
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say 'I have a pain', a Ukrainian speaker often uses the verb боліти to say 'it aches', making the sensation the subject of the sentence.
- The word біль is a masculine noun, but its historical ancestor in Old East Slavic was a feminine noun.
- In folk medicine and traditional charms, the word біль is often paired with verbs of 'driving away' or 'scattering' rather than just 'treating'.
Examples in context
- Я поділяю ваш біль.I feel your pain.This is useful for expressing empathy regarding someone's suffering.Tatoeba #7855783 by deniko, translation #1533866 by Spamster
- Біль так і не минув.That pain never went away.This is useful for describing a persistent sensation.Tatoeba #6283427 by deniko, translation #6100262 by OsoHombre
- Ці ліки знімуть біль.This medicine will take the pain away.This is useful for discussing the effect of medicine on pain.Tatoeba #474801 by deniko, translation #56582 by CK
- Я відчуваю сильний біль у спині.I feel strong pain in my back.
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andriy is telling Natalia that he injured his leg.
- Андрій AndriiУ мене сильний біль у нозі.U mene sylnyi bil u nozi.I have a strong pain in my leg.
- Наталія NataliiaТобі варто звернутися до лікаря.Tobi varto zvernutysya do likarya.You should see a doctor.
- Андрій AndriiТак, цей біль стає гіршим.Tak, tsei bil staye hirshim.Yes, this pain is getting worse.
- Наталія NataliiaДавай я допоможу тобі дійти.Davai ya dopomozhu tobi diity.Let me help you walk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pain” translations and entries біль, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries біль, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
