де ви?
de vy?[dɛ ʋɪ]word by word
The English phrase "where are you?" is translated into Ukrainian as де ви? (de vy?)
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their current physical location.
Which one should you use?
The difference between де ти? and де ви? is the level of formality or the number of people being addressed. Use де ти? for a single person in an informal context, and use де ви? when addressing multiple people or a single person in a formal or polite context.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to one person you know well, such as a friend or a child, use де ти? instead of де ви?
How do you pronounce it?
de vy?
Did you know?
- The word де is a direct relative of the English word 'where' through a very ancient shared ancestor from the Proto-Indo-European language.
- In Ukrainian, you can flip the word order to ви де? to signal that you are impatient or surprised that the person is not where they should be.
- The word ви is used not only for formality but also as a mandatory sign of respect when addressing an elder, even if that person is a close family member.
Examples in context
- Де ви знаходитесь? – Я знаходжусь в кафе.Where are you? – I am at the cafe.
- Де ти? Ми чекаємо тебе.Where are you? We are waiting for you.
- Де ви? Я вас чекаю.De vy? Ya vas chekayu.Where are you? I am waiting for you.
- Скажіть, будь ласка, де ви?Skazhit, bud' laska, de vy?Please tell me, where are you?
Example conversation
Olena is calling Andriy to find him at the station.
- Олена OlenaАндрію, де ви?Andriyu, de vy?Andriy, where are you?
- Андрій AndriiЯ біля годинника.Ya bilya hodynnyka.I am by the clock.
- Олена OlenaЯ вас не бачу.Ya vas ne bachu.I don't see you.
- Андрій AndriiЯ піднімаю руку!Ya pidnimayu ruku!I am raising my hand!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (де, ви) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ви, де, CC BY-SA 4.0.
