потво́рний
potvórnyj
The English word 'ugly' can be translated into Ukrainian as потво́рний (potvórnyj). Wiktionary also lists бридки́й (brydkýj) and пога́ний (pohányj).
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| потво́рний | potvórnyj |
| бридки́й | brydkýj |
| пога́ний | pohányj |
| нега́рний | nehárnyj |
| некраси́вий | nekrasývyj |
These terms are used to describe things that are displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing.
Which one should you use?
потво́рний carries a much stronger connotation of being hideous or monstrous compared to the other forms. In contrast, некраси́вий is a common, neutral way to say 'not beautiful' and is less harsh than потво́рний. The word бридки́й specifically targets physical appearance. Finally, пога́ний is often used to mean 'bad' in a general sense (quality, behavior or appearance).
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of потво́рний is потво́рна, the neuter form is потво́рне and the plural form is потво́рні.
How do you pronounce it?
potvórnyj
Did you know?
- The word потво́рний shares a root with потвора́, which means 'monster' or 'creature'. This is why the term describes something not just as unattractive but as hideously deformed.
- The word потво́рний is frequently used in Ukrainian folklore and fairy tales to describe witches or cursed beings, cementing its association with the supernatural.
- While пога́ний can mean 'ugly' regarding appearance, it is the most common way to describe a person's 'bad' character or 'bad' behavior.
Examples in context
- Це плаття виглядає досить непривабливим.This dress looks quite unattractive.
- Той малюнок на стіні – справжня гидота.That painting on the wall is a real monstrosity.
- На цій старій будівлі потво́рний малюнок.Na tsii starei budivli povtornyi malyunok.There is an ugly drawing on this old building.
Example conversation
Andriy and Iryna are looking at a piece of modern art.
- Андрій AndriiПодивись на цю картину. Вона потво́рна!Podyvys na tsiu kartynu. Vona potvorna!Look at this painting. It is ugly!
- Ірина IrynaЯ не згодна, Андрію. Вона цікава.Ya ne zhodna, Andriyu. Vona tsikava.I disagree, Andriy. It is interesting.
- Андрій AndriiДля мене це просто потво́рний хаос.Dlia mene tse prosto potvornyi khaos.For me, it is just ugly chaos.
- Ірина IrynaМи просто бачимо мистецтво по-різному.My prosto bachymo mystetstvo po-riznomu.We just see art differently.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
