де
de[dɛ]
The English word "where" is translated into Ukrainian as де (de). Wiktionary also lists зві́дки (zvídky).
Meaning: at or in what place (adv)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| де | de | [dɛ] (narrow) |
| зві́дки | zvídky |
Де is used to refer to a static location, answering the question of at or in what place something is. For example, if you want to ask for the location of a specific object, you can use the phrase Де знаходиться to mean "where is".
Which one should you use?
While де refers to a static location, you should use other words depending on the direction of movement. Use звідки to mean "from where" when indicating origin or movement away from a place, and use куди to mean "to where" or "whither" when expressing movement towards a destination.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word де functions both in direct questions, such as "Where is it?" and in relative clauses, such as "I know where it is".
How do you pronounce it?
de
Did you know?
- When asking Де… in a casual setting, Ukrainians may omit the verb 'to be' entirely, as the position of де at the start of the sentence already implies the existence of the object.
- The word звідки is not just 'from where' but is also used metaphorically in Ukrainian to ask about the source or cause of an abstract feeling or idea.
- The Ukrainian word де evolved from the Proto-Balto-Slavic *kúde, which eventually merged into the Proto-Slavic *kъde.
Examples in context
- Я не знаю де.I don't know where.This example shows the use of де in a simple negative statement.Tatoeba #7533204 by deniko, translation #2271869 by CK
- Я знаю, де я.I know where I am.This example demonstrates де within a relative clause.Tatoeba #11772406 by deniko, translation #8824989 by CK
- Де ти це взяв?Where did you get that?This example shows how to use де to ask a question about the source of an object.Tatoeba #6827200 by deniko, translation #1886629 by CK
- Де знаходиться готель?Where is the hotel?
- Куди ти йдеш?Where are you going?
- 1825 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andriy and Olena are looking for a lost book in the living room.
- Андрій AndriiДе моя книга?De moya knyha?Where is my book?
- Олена OlenaЯ не бачу її тут.Ya ne bachu yiyi tut.I don't see it here.
- Андрій AndriiДе вона може бути?De vona mozhe buty?Where could it be?
- Олена OlenaПодивись на столі.Podyvys na stoli.Look on the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “where” translations and entries де, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries де, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
