What Is the Ukrainian Language

Technically, Ukrainian consists of 33 letters that might sound a bit unusual to a foreign ear. Some are familiar, like M or O, while others, like Ц (ts), Ш (sh), and Щ (shch), represent sounds we combine letters to create. Then, there’s the infamous letter И (y), which looks like a backwards N and sounds more like the i in lit, but truly has no English equivalents. It’s quirky, sure, but Ukrainian follows a straightforward system: letters represent sounds, all of which are pronounced.

Unlike Chinese, there are no tones, and unlike Arabic, there are no invisible sounds. Ukrainian isa Slavic language, most closely related to Belarusian (84% shared vocabulary), partially similar to Polish (70%) and Serbian (68%), but has only 62% in common with Russian. Today, it boasts around 256,000 words, on par with modern English.

But Ukrainian is more than just a set of letters—it has a musical quality, with many words flowing effortlessly into one another, making it ideal for poetry and song. In fact, a UNESCO study once ranked Ukrainian as the third most melodious language in the world, right after Italian and French.

Another fascinating feature is its diminutives—a common way to make words sound warmer, friendlier, or more affectionate. Your name isn’t just Maria; in Ukrainian, you might be called Марічка (Marichka), Маруся (Marusya), or even Маріченька (Marichenka). This love for wordplay extends to everyday speech, making Ukrainian both extraordinarily playful and emotionally rich.

And if you think learning Ukrainian means memorizing rigid textbook phrases, think again! Modern Ukrainian is alive and evolving, borrowing much from English and tech culture. For instance, a local tweet (твіт) can go viral (стати вірусним), and if you’re excited about something, you might say it’s топ (top) or even вогонь (fire). Whether you want to dive into its poetic past or its digital-age slang, Ukrainian has something for everyone.

Naturally, majority of Ukrainians speak Ukrainian, as their native language. It serves as the only country’s official language, and its presence in cultural and social life is growing. However, due to historical influences and cultural diversity, you’ll also hear Russian, particularly in urban areas in the east and south, as well as pockets of other languages such as Tatar, Hungarian, Polish, and Romanian near border regions. In central, northern, and eastern Ukraine, you often encounter surzhyk—a mix of Ukrainian and Russian with some quirky hybrid words.

Over the past few decades—and especially since the war with Russia began in 2014—there has been a strong push to prioritize and promote the Ukrainian language. Many Ukrainians who grew up speaking Russian have made a conscious effort to switch to Ukrainian as an expression of national identity and resistance.

This shift is not just political; it’s cultural. Ukrainian TV shows, music, and films are thriving, and there’s a growing pride in speaking the country’s native tongue. In fact, learning Ukrainian can be a window into this vibrant cultural renaissance, from the heartfelt lyrics of Okean Elzy to the gripping narratives of contemporary Ukrainian literature.

In short, while Ukraine is linguistically diverse, Ukrainian remains the heart and soul of the nation, embodying its history, struggles, and aspirations. If you’re planning a trip to Ukraine, don’t stress—basic knowledge of the language is usually enough to get by. And trust us, locals will love you for trying.

The Ukrainian language originates from Old East Slavic, which was spoken during the times of Kyivan Rus. It evolved from local Slavic dialects influenced by Norse and Greek traditions. Despite centuries of bans and suppression, Ukrainian survived, flourishing into a full-fledged language with its own alphabet and rich literary heritage.
The history of the Ukrainian language is marked by resilience and perseverance.

During the Russian Empire, multiple decrees prohibited the publication, teaching, and public use of Ukrainian. For example, the infamous Ems Ukaz of 1876 banned the printing of Ukrainian books and lyrics for songs. Despite these restrictions, Ukrainian writers such as Taras Shevchenko (Тарас Шевченко), Lesya Ukrainka (Леся Українка) and Ivan Franko (Іван Франко) became iconic figures in preserving and celebrating the language. Shevchenko’s poetry, often described as the soul of Ukraine, inspired generations to fight for cultural and linguistic freedom.

In the 20th century, Soviet policies fluctuated between token promotion of Ukrainian and outright suppression, with periods of forced Russification further threatening the language. However, following Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the Ukrainian language began to experience a revival.

Today, efforts to promote the language have intensified, with initiatives to integrate Ukrainian into education, media, and daily life, ensuring its preservation as a vital aspect of national identity.

Is it worth your time to dive into a language with such depth and soul? Absolutely! Learning Ukrainian can open doors to unique opportunities in business, tourism, and career growth. Ukraine’s strategic location in Eastern Europe and its burgeoning IT sector make it an attractive destination for international partnerships and investments. Knowing the language can give you a significant advantage when building professional relationships with Ukrainian entrepreneurs or negotiating deals with local companies.

For travelers, speaking Ukrainian allows you to immerse yourself fully in the country’s rich culture and hospitality. Imagine exploring the cobblestone streets of Lviv, ordering authentic borshch at a cozy café, or joining in traditional celebrations like Malanka or Kupala Night, all while communicating effortlessly with locals.

Moreover, Ukraine’s post-war recovery is expected to create numerous opportunities for international cooperation in fields like reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and education. Speaking Ukrainian not only enriches your personal experiences but also enables you to contribute meaningfully to the country’s rebuilding efforts.

Ukrainians call their language solov’ina mova (nightingale-like) due to its soft consonants, harmonious intonation, and abundance of vowels, while European linguists declared it the second most melodic language after Italian—though, to be fair, the competition took place in Italy! Unique sounds like the Г (gh) and Ї (ji) give it a distinctive charm that captivates both native and non-native speakers.

While Ukrainian’s sounds might initially seem foreign to your ear, it’s not as hard as it looks. Give it a listen, and you’ll hear the beauty for yourself.

Ukrainian culture is steeped in lyrical expression, with traditional songs and poetry showcasing the beauty of the language. Songs like “Chervona Ruta” and “Plyve Kacha” evoke powerful emotions and are cherished both in Ukraine and beyond. Poetry, too, holds a special place in the hearts of Ukrainians.

Taras Shevchenko, probably the most prominent Ukrainian poet, once wrote, “Keep learning from others, and do not shy away from what is yours. For others’ wisdom is only good when you have your own.” This sentiment beautifully underscores the importance of embracing Ukrainian language and culture.

Ukrainian is not just an ancient Slavic language—it’s vibrant, adaptive, and full of life. Whether you use old proverbs in the countryside or the latest memes online, it continues to grow, change, and surprise. And Ukrainian isn’t monolithic — it’s diverse and has tons of dialect groups like:

• Northern – polis’ke narichchia (closer to Belarusian and sometimes Lithuanian),
• Southwestern – halyts’ka hovirka (influenced by Polish, Romanian, and Hungarian),
• Southeastern – stepovyi hovir (contains many Russisms, Turkisms, and Bulgarianisms).

For example, a bag in standard Ukrainian is торба (torba), but in Lviv, you might hear кульок (kul’ok), while in Odesa, locals use пакет (paket). And then there’s Ukrainian slang, which is constantly evolving.

Social media has given rise to fun new expressions:

• Залишайся в тіні! (Stay in the shadow!) – meaning "stay low-key."
• Зроби мені красиво (Make it beautiful to me) – meaning "do something well."
• Шо ти мелеш? (What are you grinding?) – meaning "What nonsense are you saying?"

Even traditional greetings have modern twists. Instead of the formal Добрий день (Dobryi den’), young people just say Привіт (Pryvit) or even Хай (Khaj) (like "hi").