Ukrainian is a beautiful and rich language spoken by millions of people in Ukraine and Ukrainian communities around the world. If you’re interested in learning how to say “What is this?” in Ukrainian, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will provide you with both formal and informal ways to express this question. Let’s delve into the various ways to ask “What is this?” in Ukrainian.
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Formal Ways to Ask “What is This?”
When addressing someone in a formal manner or in official settings, it’s important to use the appropriate level of language. Here are a few ways to ask “What is this?” formally in Ukrainian:
1. Що це таке?
The phrase “Що це таке?” (Shcho tse take?) is the most common formal way to ask “What is this?” in Ukrainian. It is widely used and easily understood in all regions of Ukraine. You can use this phrase in formal conversations, when talking to strangers, or in professional settings.
Example: Просимо вас пояснити, що це таке? (Prosymo vas poyasnyty, shcho tse take?) – Could you please explain what this is?
Informal Ways to Ask “What is This?”
When speaking in an informal setting or with friends and family, you can use more casual language to ask “What is this?” Here are a couple of informal phrases you can use:
1. Що це?
The phrase “Що це?” (Shcho tse?) is a common way to ask “What is this?” informally in Ukrainian. It is easy to remember and widely used in everyday conversations among friends, colleagues, and family members.
Example: А, це нова книга! Що це? (A, tse nova knyha! Shcho tse?) – Oh, this is a new book! What is this?
2. Що це за річ?
Another informal way to ask “What is this?” is by adding “за річ” (za rich) to the phrase. So, “Що це за річ?” (Shcho tse za rich?) literally translates to “What is this for a thing?” and is used in casual conversations with friends or when you want to emphasize the object in question.
Example: Дивись, я знайшов щось цікаве! Що це за річ? (Dyvys’, ya znayshov shhos’ tsikave! Shcho tse za rich?) – Look, I found something interesting! What is this thing?
Regional Variations
Across Ukraine, the standard Ukrainian language is spoken and understood by most people. However, there might be slight regional variations in the way people ask “What is this?” In general, the phrases mentioned above are universally understood, but here is a regional variation:
1. Що це то таке?
In some regions, especially in Western Ukraine, people may use the phrase “Що це то таке?” (Shcho tse to take?) instead of “Що це таке?” It essentially has the same meaning but adds “то” (to) for emphasis.
Example: Ось подивись, що це то таке? (Os’ podyvys’, shcho tse to take?) – Look, what is this thing?
Conclusion
There you have it! You now know various ways to ask “What is this?” in Ukrainian, both formally and informally. Remember, “Що це таке?” (Shcho tse take?) is the most widely used and understood phrase in Ukrainian. Use it confidently in most situations. If you want to add more emphasis or are in an informal setting, “Що це за річ?” (Shcho tse za rich?) can be particularly useful. And if you encounter different phrasing like “Що це то таке?” (Shcho tse to take?) in some regions, don’t worry, it means the same thing. Enjoy practicing your Ukrainian language skills and have fun exploring the culture!
