Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| украї́нська мо́ва | ukrajínsʹka móva | feminine |
| украї́нська | ukrajínsʹka | feminine |
украї́нська мо́ва is the standard way to name the Ukrainian language. Related terms include украї́нський, which is an adjective used to describe things relating to Ukraine or its people and nouns used to describe people from Ukraine, such as украї́нець or украї́нка.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase украї́нська мо́ва, the word мова means "language".
Which one should you use?
While украї́нська мо́ва refers to the language, the noun украї́нець refers specifically to a Ukrainian man, whereas украї́нка refers to a Ukrainian woman.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes form based on the gender of the noun it modifies. украї́нська is the feminine adjective used for feminine nouns like мова. украї́нський is the masculine adjective used for masculine nouns, and Українське is the neuter form. For people, украї́нець is used for a male and украї́нка for a female.
How do you pronounce it?
ukrajínsʹka móva
Did you know?
- The word мова is often used poetically in Ukrainian songs and literature to represent the very soul and identity of the nation, transcending its status as a mere tool for communication.
- The adjective украї́нський describes more than just people or objects, appearing in terms like 'Ukrainian baroque' to identify a unique architectural style that blends Western European and local influences.
- While украї́нська мо́ва is the official name, Ukrainians often use the phrase наша мова, which means 'our language', to refer to it.
Examples in context
- Я вчу українську мовуI am learning Ukrainian language
- Я українецьI am Ukrainian
- Украї́нська мо́ва дуже красива.Ukrayinska mova duzhe krasyva.The Ukrainian language is very beautiful.
- Украї́нська мо́ва є державною в Україні.Ukrayinska mova ye derzhavnoiu v Ukrayini.The Ukrainian language is the state language in Ukraine.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their language studies.
- Олена OlenaАндрію, ти знаєш, яка украї́нська мо́ва?Andriyu, ty znayesh, yaka ukrainsʹka mova?Andriy, do you know what the Ukrainian language is like?
- Андрій AndriiТак, вона дуже мелодійна.Tak, vona duzhe melodiyna.Yes, it is very melodic.
- Олена OlenaЯ хочу вивчити украї́нську мо́ву.Ya khochu vyvchyty ukrainsʹku movu.I want to learn the Ukrainian language.
- Андрій AndriiЯ можу тобі допомогти!Ya mozhu tobi dopomohty!I can help you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ukrainian” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
