каву́н
kavúnmasculine
The Ukrainian word for watermelon is каву́н (kavún).
каву́н is a masculine noun used to refer to the fruit.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
While каву́н is the standard term, Арбузик is an affectionate and friendly way to say watermelon.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of каву́н is каву́ни. The genitive singular form is каву́на, which is used to indicate possession or after words such as немає (there is no).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kavún.
Did you know?
- The word каву́н shares a common linguistic root with the word for watermelon in several other Turkic languages, reflecting historical trade and migration across the steppes.
- In Ukrainian folklore and riddles, the каву́н is often described as a 'green house with a red room and black people', referring to the rind, flesh and seeds.
- The term арбузик, mentioned as an affectionate form, is actually derived from the Russian word 'арбуз' and is used as a playful loanword rather than a native Ukrainian root.
Examples in context
- Збираємось купити кавуна до вечері.We're planning to buy a watermelon for dinner.
- Цей каву́н дуже солодкий.Tsei kavun duzhe solodkyi.This watermelon is very sweet.
- Я хочу купити великий каву́н.Ya khochu kupyty velykyi kavun.I want to buy a large watermelon.
- Ми з'їли весь каву́н на десерт.My z'yily ves' kavun na desert.We ate the whole watermelon for dessert.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “watermelon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
