не́бо
néboneuter
The Ukrainian word for sky is не́бо (nébo).
не́бо refers to the physical atmosphere above the Earth where one sees the sun, moon, stars and clouds. It is also used to mean 'heaven' in spiritual or religious contexts.
Meaning: atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The neuter noun не́бо changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. Use не́ба for the genitive case, which is required after many prepositions like під (under) or to show possession. Use не́бу for the dative case. Use не́бом for the instrumental case.
How do you pronounce it?
nébo
Did you know?
- The word не́бо is a homonym for the 'palate' or the roof of the mouth. In anatomical contexts, Ukrainians use the same word for both the vast sky and the top of the oral cavity.
- If you want to talk about the 'color of the sky', Ukrainians often use the word блакитний (azure/light blue) instead of just saying 'blue', as it is the culturally preferred shade for a clear sky.
- The term небокрай is a beautiful, more traditional way to say 'horizon', literally translating to the 'edge of the sky'.
Examples in context
- Я люблю дивитися на небо вночі.I love looking at the sky at night.
- Синій колір неба – це природна краса.The blue color of the sky is natural beauty.
- Дивіться, які чудові небеса сьогодні!Look at the wonderful sky today!
- Вітер легенько пливе по небесах.The wind gently flows through the skies.
- блакитне не́боBlue sky
Example conversation
Oleksandr and Nataliia are walking in a park.
- Олександр OleksandrПодивись на це чисте не́бо!Podyvys' na tse chyste nebo!Look at this clear sky!
- Наталія NataliiaТак, погода просто чудова.Tak, pohoda prosto chudova.Yes, the weather is just wonderful.
- Олександр OleksandrЗдається, скоро підуть дощі.Zdayetsya, skoro pidut doshchi.It seems it will rain soon.
- Наталія NataliiaНі, хмар на горизонті немає.Ni, khmar na horizonti nemaye.No, there are no clouds on the horizon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sky” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
