How to Say "Rest in Peace" in Ukrainian

спочивай з миром

spochyvay z myrom

The Ukrainian way to say "rest in peace" is спочивай з миром (spochyvay z myrom).

This phrase is used as a blessing or an expression of hope. It functions as a verb to wish peace upon someone who has passed away.

Meaning: blessing or expression of hope (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the verb спочивай (rest/repose) and the prepositional phrase з миром (with peace).

Which one should you use?

While спочивай з миром is a direct imperative, the third-person construction нехай він/вона спочиває в мирі (may he/she rest in peace) is more formal, often used in eulogies or written tributes.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

For more formal situations, you can use Нехай земля буде пухом (May the earth be soft), Вічна йому(їй) пам'ять (Eternal memory to him/her) or Нехай Господь прийме його(її) душу (Let the Lord receive his/her soul). An informal variation is Хай земля буде пухом, друг (May the earth be soft, my friend).

How does it change in a sentence?

When addressing more than one person or using a formal/polite tone, the verb changes from the singular спочивай to the plural/polite form спочивайте in the phrase спочивайте з миром.

How do you pronounce it?

spochyvay z myrom

Did you know?

In Ukrainian, the concept of 'peace' (мир) can also mean 'the world', so the phrase can linguistically be interpreted as 'resting with the world'.
The phrase спочивай з миром is often accompanied by a specific gesture of crossing one's hands over the chest or a slight bow of the head in many traditional Ukrainian funeral customs.
In Ukrainian Orthodox traditions, the phrase Вічна пам'ять (Eternal Memory) is not just a sentiment but a specific liturgical chant sung during funeral services.

Examples in context

Спочивай з миром.
May your soul rest in peace.
This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase спочивай з миром.
Tatoeba #1601566 by mutternoise, translation #761571 by Scott
Спочивай з миром, дорогий друже.
Spochyvay z myrom, dorohyy druzhe.
Rest in peace, dear friend.

Example conversation

Dmytro and Nataliia are visiting a cemetery.

Дмитро Dmytro

Ми прийшли відвідати його сьогодні.
My pryishly vidvidaty yoho siohodni.
We came to visit him today.
Наталія Nataliia

Спочивай з миром, наш любий вчителю.
Spochyvay z myrom, nash lyubyy vchytelyu.
Rest in peace, our beloved teacher.
Дмитро Dmytro

Він був дуже доброю людиною.
Vin buv duzhe dobroyu lyudynoyu.
He was a very kind person.
Наталія Nataliia

Ми завжди будемо його пам'ятати.
My zavzhdy budemo yoho pam'yataty.
We will always remember him.

Sources

Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “Rest in Peace” in Ukrainian