зима́
zymáfeminine
The English word "winter" is translated into Ukrainian as зима́ (zymá).
зима́ is a feminine noun referring to the fourth season of the year, characterized by the lowest temperatures and the shortest days.
Meaning: fourth season, marked by short days and the lowest temperatures (noun)
Which one should you use?
While зима́ is the noun for the season itself, the related form зимо́вий is an adjective used to describe things pertaining to winter, such as winter clothes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes its form depending on how it is used in a sentence. Use the genitive singular form зими́ to indicate possession or to follow certain prepositions like "during" (під час). To express the time during which something happens, equivalent to saying "in winter", use the instrumental case зимо́ю.
How do you pronounce it?
zymá
Did you know?
- The Ukrainian word зима́ is a distant relative of the English word 'winter'. Both originate from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'water' or 'moist', reflecting the season's dampness.
- While many Slavic cultures focus on a male figure for winter, Ukrainian folklore often personifies зима́ as a beautiful but cold woman.
- The character Морозко is a personification of the winter season who acts as a moral judge, rewarding kindness and punishing greed during the coldest months.
Examples in context
- Будь ласка, скажіть, коли почнеться зима?Please, tell me when will winter begin?
- Така красива зима цього року!Such a beautiful winter this year!
- Зима в Україні завжди дуже сніжна.Winter in Ukraine is always very snowy.
- Бачив, які сніги випали минулої зимки?Did you see the amount of snow we had last winter?
- Пропоную скататися з гірки цієї зимки.I suggest we slide down this hill this winter.
- Зима́ дуже холодна.Zymá duzhe kholodna.Winter is very cold.
- Ця зима́ була довгою.Tsya zymá bula dovhoiu.This winter was long.
Example conversation
Irina and Dmytro are talking about the weather.
- Ірина IrynaТи любиш, коли настає зима́?Ty lyubysh, koly nastaye zima?Do you love it when winter begins?
- Дмитро DmytroНі, я віддаю перевагу літу.Ni, ya viddayu pervahu litu.No, I prefer summer.
- Ірина IrynaАле сніг дуже гарний!Ale snih duzhe harnyi!But the snow is very beautiful!
- Дмитро DmytroЦе правда, але занадто холодно.Tse pravda, ale zanadto kholodno.That is true, but it is too cold.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winter” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
