хресне знамення
khresne znamennia
The sign of the cross in Ukrainian is хресне знамення (khresne znamennia).
хресне знамення is the noun used to refer to the religious gesture itself. If you want to describe the action of making the sign, you would use the verbs накреститися or хреститися, which mean to cross oneself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective хресне, which means cross-related and the noun знамення, which means sign or omen.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase хресне знамення is in the nominative case. Because it is a neuter inanimate noun, it remains хресне знамення in the accusative case when used as the object of a verb such as 'to make'.
How do you pronounce it?
khresne znamennia
Did you know?
- When performing хресне знамення, Eastern Orthodox Christians move from right to left, which is the opposite direction of the Roman Catholic practice.
- The verb хреститися is used both for the act of making the sign of the cross and for the lifelong process of being baptized.
- In some Ukrainian folk traditions, a person might make the хресне знамення over food or a new tool to protect it from 'evil eyes'.
Examples in context
- Він часто робить хресне знамення перед їжею.Vin chasto robyt' khresne znamennya pered yizheyu.He often makes the sign of the cross before meals.
Example conversation
Oleksandr and Nataliia are visiting a church.
- Олександр OleksandrНаталія, ти пам'ятаєш, як складати хресне знамення?Nataliya, ty pamyatayesh, yak skladaty khresne znamennya?Nataliia, do you remember how to make the sign of the cross?
- Наталія NataliiaТак, Олександре, я пам'ятаю.Tak, Oleksandre, ya pamyatayu.Yes, Oleksandr, I remember.
- Олександр OleksandrПокажи мені, будь ласка, ще раз.Pokazhy meni, bud laska, shche raz.Please show me once more.
- Наталія NataliiaДивись, це робиться ось так.Dyvys, tse robytse os tak.Look, it is done like this.
