бережи себе
berezhy sebe
The English phrase "stay safe" can be translated into Ukrainian as бережи себе (berezhy sebe).
бережи себе is a warm expression used when saying goodbye to tell someone to take care of themselves. While the English phrase "stay safe" is a general well-wish, the Ukrainian version carries a slightly stronger nuance of "protect yourself" or "take care of yourself". If someone is traveling, you might instead use Безпечної дороги, which means "Have a safe journey".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase бережи себе is composed of the imperative verb бережи (keep/protect) and the reflexive pronoun себе (yourself).
How does it change in a sentence?
Use бережи себе when addressing one person whom you know well or who is of equal or lower social status. To say "stay safe" to a group of people or to one person using the formal or polite register, use бережіть себе.
How do you pronounce it?
berezhy sebe
Did you know?
- The root of бережи is shared with the word берег, which means 'shore' or 'coast'. Both words evolve from the ancient concept of guarding a boundary or keeping something safe.
- In a wartime context, saying бережи себе can carry a heavy emotional weight, shifting from a simple goodbye to a profound plea for the person's survival.
- The verb берегти is the same root used for 'to save' or 'to preserve' something precious, like an heirloom or a memory, suggesting the person being spoken to is something to be cherished.
Examples in context
- Бережи себе в дорозі.Berezhi sebe v dorozy.Stay safe on the road.
- Будь обережним і бережи себе.Bud' oberezhnyi i berezhi sebe.Be careful and stay safe.
- Дякую за все, бережи себе.Diakuiu za vse, berezhi sebe.Thanks for everything, stay safe.
Example conversation
Dmytro and Olena are saying goodbye at a train station.
- Дмитро DmytroПоїзд уже скоро прибуде.Poiizd uzhe skoro prybudet.The train will arrive soon.
- Олена OlenaТак, мені вже час йти.Tak, meni uzhe chas yty.Yes, it is already time for me to go.
- Дмитро DmytroБережи себе, Олено.Berezhi sebe, Oleno.Stay safe, Olena.
- Олена OlenaДякую, Дмитре, і ти теж.Diakuiu, Dmytre, i ty tezh.Thank you, Dmytro, you too.
