що
ščo/t͡ʃ.tʷɔ/
The English word "what" is translated into Ukrainian as що (ščo).
що is an interrogative pronoun used to ask about objects or abstract concepts.
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Which one should you use?
While що refers to things or concepts, you should use хто if you are asking about people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, the form що remains the same for both the nominative and accusative cases. However, the word changes to чого in the genitive case, which is often used after certain verbs or prepositions.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as ščo (/tʃ.tʷɔ/). It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word що is a cognate with the English word 'what', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid.
- While що is the standard word for 'what', Ukrainians often use the phrase що-що? to express disbelief or to ask someone to repeat themselves in a shocked tone.
- While English speakers use 'what' to express confusion, asking 'What?' in Ukrainian as Що? can sometimes sound blunt or even slightly rude depending on your tone.
Examples in context
- Що у неї є?What does she have?This sentence shows how to use що to ask about possession.Tatoeba #6724197 by deniko, translation #312812 by CK
- Що в нас є?What do we have?This sentence shows how to use що to ask about what is available to a group.Tatoeba #6740131 by deniko, translation #2648891 by CK
- Що у вас є?What do you guys have?This sentence shows how to use що to ask a group of people about what they have.Tatoeba #7974691 by deniko, translation #4269112 by danepo
- Що ви робите?What are you doing?
- Шо з тобою?What's up with you?
- 5474 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Natalia and Dmytro are talking about a gift.
- Наталія NataliiaЩо ти купив для мене?Shcho ty kupyv dlya mene?What did you buy for me?
- Дмитро DmytroЦе сюрприз, Наталіє!Tse surpryz, Nataliye!It's a surprise, Natalia!
- Наталія NataliiaНу, що там всередині?Nu, shcho tam vseredyni?Well, what is inside there?
- Дмитро DmytroВідкрий коробку і побачиш.Vidkryy korobku i pobachysh.Open the box and you will see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries що, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries що, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
