будь ла́ска
budʹ láska
The English word "please" is translated into Ukrainian as будь ла́ска (budʹ láska). Wiktionary also lists прошу́ (prošú).
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| будь ла́ска | budʹ láska |
| прошу́ | prošú |
будь ла́ска is the standard, neutral way to say please in Ukrainian. The form прошу́ can also be used to mean please, but it carries a more formal tone and can function as an emphatic "I beg of you". Additionally, прошу́ is commonly used as a polite response to дякую (thank you), functioning like "you're welcome" or "not at all".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase будь ла́ска is literally composed of the imperative form of the verb "to be" and the word for "kindness" or "kindly".
Which one should you use?
While будь ла́ска is a general-purpose "please", прошу́ is more formal and can function as a more emphatic "please" or "I beg of you".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To be polite to a stranger or to address a group, the form changes to будьте ла́ска using the plural imperative.
How do you pronounce it?
budʹ láska
Did you know?
- In some regions, прошу́ is used not just as 'please' or 'you're welcome', but as a polite way to say 'Pardon?' or 'I beg your pardon?' when someone didn't hear a statement.
- While будь ла́ска is used for requests, the word ла́ска also refers to a specific type of affectionate caress or tenderness in Ukrainian culture.
- The word прошу́ shares a linguistic root with the word for 'request' or 'petition' in many other Slavic languages, linking the act of saying 'please' to a formal legal or royal petition.
Examples in context
- Будь ласка, допоможіть мені з цим завданням.Please, help me with this task.
- Прошу вас, надішліть мені звіт до кінця дня.Please send me the report by the end of the day.
- Давай, покажи мені цей фільм, будь ласка.Come on, show me this movie, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
