говорити
hovoryty
The English verb 'speak' is translated into Ukrainian as говорити (hovoryty).
говорити is used to describe the ability to communicate in a language or the ongoing process of speaking and talking.
Meaning: to be able to communicate in a language (verb)
Which one should you use?
говорити is an imperfective verb, meaning it is used to describe the ongoing process of speaking or a general ability. In contrast, the verb сказати is the perfective counterpart, which is used when you want to express the result of having said something specific.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first person singular present form of говорити is говорю (I speak), and the second person plural or polite singular present form is говорите (you speak).
How do you pronounce it?
hovoryty
Did you know?
- Ukrainian has a specific phrase говорити наосліп, meaning 'to speak blindly', which describes talking about something without having any real knowledge of the subject.
- The verb говорити is used to describe the physical act of talking, but when a person is 'speaking' their mind or giving a formal speech, Ukrainians often use виступати, which means 'to step out' or 'to perform'.
- The noun form of 'speech' is мова, which also means 'language' in Ukrainian, linking the act of speaking directly to the linguistic identity.
Examples in context
- Я не міг говорити.I couldn't speak.This sentence shows the use of говорити to express an inability to speak.Tatoeba #5843003 by deniko, translation #2929403 by Hybrid
- Том не може говорити.Tom can't speak.This sentence uses говорити to describe someone's inability to speak.Tatoeba #5149068 by deniko, translation #2236155 by CK
- Ніхто не хоче говорити.No one wants to speak.This sentence uses говорити to describe someone's lack of desire to speak.Tatoeba #5739395 by Anjy, translation #2091158 by CK
- Ми повинні говорити про це.We need to speak about this.
- Я не можу говорити українською мовою.I can't speak Ukrainian.
- Він промовляв на конференції.He spoke at the conference.
- Давай розмовляти про новини.Let's talk about the news.
- Ти гарно розмовляєш.You speak well.
- 283 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Serhiy and Mariia are meeting for the first time.
- Сергій SerhiiВи можете говорити англійською?Vy mozhete hovoryty anhlіyskoju?Can you speak English?
- Марія MariiaТак, я вмію говорити англійською.Tak, ya vmiyu hovoryty anhlіyskoju.Yes, I can speak English.
- Сергій SerhiiА чи ви хочете говорити українською?A chy vy khochete hovoryty ukrayinskoju?And do you want to speak Ukrainian?
- Марія MariiaЯ тільки вчуся говорити цією мовою.Ya tilky vchusya hovoryty tsiyeju movoyu.I am just learning to speak this language.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
