мої співчуття
moyi spivchuttya
To say "sorry for your loss" in Ukrainian, use мої співчуття (moyi spivchuttya).
The phrase мої співчуття is the standard, respectful way to offer condolences in Ukrainian during a funeral or after a death.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "my sympathy" or "my condolences".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal situations, you can say Висловлюю свої співчуття (I express my condolences), Співчуваю Вам (I am sorry for your loss) or Щиро співчуваю (I sincerely sympathize). If you are in a closer relationship, the single verb співчуваю (I sympathize / I feel for you) provides a more direct and personal way to express your feelings.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase a complete and polite sentence, you can add the verb прийміть (accept) at the beginning, resulting in прийміть мої співчуття (accept my condolences).
How do you pronounce it?
moyi spivchuttya
Did you know?
- The root of співчуття is чути, which means 'to hear'. To sympathize in Ukrainian is, at its heart, to 'hear together' with someone.
- If you are comforting someone in a very traditional or religious setting, you might hear people say Царство Небесне (Kingdom of Heaven) instead of focusing on the person's loss.
- In Ukrainian culture, it is common to accompany мої співчуття by gently touching the shoulder or hand of the bereaved, though physical contact is generally more reserved in other social settings.
Examples in context
- Прийміть мої співчуття.Pryymit' moi sipchuttya.Please accept my condolences.
- Прийміть щирі мої співчуття.Pryymit' shchyri moi sipchuttya.Please accept my sincere condolences.
Example conversation
Natalia meets Dmytro at his home to offer support after his father passed away.
- Наталія NataliiaДмитре, прийми мої співчуття.Dmytre, pryymy moi sipchuttya.Dmytro, accept my condolences.
- Дмитро DmytroДякую тобі, Наталіє.Dyakuyu tobi, Nataliye.Thank you, Natalia.
- Наталія NataliiaТримайся, я поруч.Trymaisia, ya poruch.Stay strong, I am here for you.
- Дмитро DmytroМені зараз дуже важко.Meni zaraz duzhe vazhko.It is very hard for me right now.
