Must-know Ukrainian phrases for travelers (beyond hello)
A few Ukrainian phrases go a long way, even though English got official recognition for international communication in mid-2024 and is increasingly used, especially among younger people and in business settings.
What are the must-know phrases?
Just three basics cover most polite interactions:
- Hello/good day – Добрий день / DOBRIY DEHN
- Thank you – Дякую / DYA-koo-you
- Please / you're welcome – Будь ласка / bood-LAH-skah
Learn these and you'll be able to greet people, say thanks, and be polite in shops, cafes, and transport.
What other survival phrases help?
Beyond the basics, a small toolkit of survival phrases makes independent travel much smoother:
- Yes/No – Так / Ні (Tak/Ni)
- Excuse me – Вибачте (Vybachte)
- Where is...? – Де...? (De...?)
- I don't understand – Я не розумію (Ya ne rozumiyu)
- Do you speak English? – Чи ви розмовляєте англійською? (Chi vy rozmovlyayete anhliys'koyu?)
That last one is worth memorizing outright — it's the single most useful question for a traveler, since it lets locals tell you upfront whether to switch languages or find another way to communicate.
How far does English actually get you?
English became an official language for international communication in Ukraine on June 26, 2024, under President Zelenskyy, which reflects a real shift in status. The number of English speakers is growing every year, particularly among younger people and in international business contexts. That said, there's no precise data on what percentage of people speak English or which regions have the highest proficiency, so don't assume it's universal — treat it as a helpful backup rather than a guarantee, especially outside major cities.
What about Ukrainian vs. Russian in daily life?
Ukrainian has been the official state language since 1990, and by law, all service providers in passenger transport — trains, buses, etc. — must serve customers in Ukrainian. Station names, stops, and announcements are required to be in Ukrainian, though they can also be duplicated in English and the official languages of connected countries. That said, Russian is also commonly understood in Kyiv and in eastern and southern Ukraine, so travelers may hear and encounter both languages in real-world situations, even though official signage and documents stick to Ukrainian.
FAQ
Will transport announcements be in English? Not guaranteed. The law requires Ukrainian for all passenger transport service and signage; English (and other connected countries' languages) may be added alongside it, but Ukrainian is the mandatory baseline.
Is it safe to assume everyone understands English? No. English use is growing yearly, especially among younger people and in business contexts, but there's no data confirming widespread proficiency across all regions or age groups — carrying a few Ukrainian phrases is genuinely useful.
Can I get by speaking Russian instead of Ukrainian? In Kyiv and eastern/southern Ukraine, Russian is commonly understood, though official documents and required transport signage remain in Ukrainian.
Sources
Related Topics
Stay Connected Anywhere
Get instant eSIM data plans for 160+ countries. No physical SIM required.