мак
mak[mak]masculine
The Ukrainian word for poppy is мак (mak).
The word мак refers to the plant of the genus Papaver.
Meaning: plant of the genus Papaver (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun мак refers to the poppy itself, while the related adjective маковий is used to describe things relating to or made of poppy.
How does it change in a sentence?
мак is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
mak
When do people say it?
In Ukrainian culture, a traditional pastry made with poppy seeds is known as маківник.
Did you know?
- In modern Ukrainian slang, мак is used as a shorthand clipping for МакДо́нальдз (McDonald's).
- Ukrainian folklore suggests that scattering poppy seeds can confuse evil spirits or ghosts, causing them to stop and count every seed instead of entering a house.
- Poppy seeds are a symbolic ingredient in Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner, representing fertility, prosperity and the souls of ancestors.
Examples in context
- У мене алергія на мак.I'm allergic to poppy seeds.This sentence shows how to express an allergy to the seeds of the мак.Tatoeba #13059496 by deniko, translation #13058306 by araneo
- Маківник традиційно випікають на Великдень.Poppy seed cake is traditionally baked for Easter.This sentence mentions that the pastry маківник is a traditional food for Easter.Tatoeba #13351086 by deniko, translation #10805925 by sebek5000
- Маківник смакує найкраще з філіжанкою кави.Poppy seed cake tastes best with a cup of coffee.This sentence suggests a serving suggestion for the poppy seed cake containing мак.Tatoeba #13351093 by deniko, translation #13351092 by deniko
- Українська кухня славиться пирогами з маком.Ukrainian cuisine is famous for poppy seed pastries.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmytro and Natalia are looking at a garden of flowers.
- Дмитро DmytroДивись, який гарний червоний мак!Dyvys', yakyǐ harnyiǐ chervonyǐ mak!Look, what a beautiful red poppy!
- Наталія NataliiaТак, він дуже яскравий.Tak, vin duzhe yaskravyiǐ.Yes, it is very bright.
- Дмитро DmytroТут росте ціле поле маку.Tut roste tsile pole maku.A whole field of poppies grows here.
- Наталія NataliiaЦе виглядає просто чудово, Дмитре.Tse vyhlyadaie prosto chudovo, Dmytre.It looks just wonderful, Dmytro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poppy” translations and entries мак, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries мак, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
