Ukraine Language: What Do They Speak in Ukraine?
The official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian. In Ukrainian, the country is called Україна. Ukrainian is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Ukrainian Language
Ukrainian descends from the Old East Slavic of Kyivan Rus. Under the Russian Empire it endured explicit bans on publication and teaching, including the Valuev Circular of 1863 and the Ems Ukaz of 1876, yet survived through folk culture and the poetry of Taras Shevchenko. It has been the sole state language of Ukraine since 1991, and its melodic sound has earned it the nickname solovyina mova, the nightingale language. Ukrainian is an East Slavic language whose closest relative is Belarusian. Despite the common assumption that it is nearly identical to Russian, lexical studies place its vocabulary closer to Belarusian and Polish, and intelligibility with Russian is only partial and famously one-sided, since many Ukrainians know Russian while few Russians have studied Ukrainian.
The Cyrillic alphabet (Ukrainian variant): How Ukrainian is Written
Ukrainian is written in its own 33-letter version of the Cyrillic alphabet, distinguished from Russian Cyrillic by the letters і, ї, є and ґ, and by lacking Russian's ы, э and ъ. Spelling is close to phonetic: unlike Russian, vowels are pronounced essentially as written, which makes reading aloud easier for learners.
Is Ukrainian a Tonal Language?
No, Ukrainian is not a tonal language. Stress is free and mobile, as in other Slavic languages, but pitch never changes a word's meaning.
🗨️ Useful Ukrainian Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Ukrainian, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Ukrainian to Learn?
For English speakers Ukrainian carries the standard Slavic workload: seven cases, three genders and verbs paired by aspect, in the region of 1,100 class hours. The alphabet takes only days, and the consistent match between spelling and sound gives it a friendlier learning curve than Russian's shifting vowels.
Language Tips for Visitors to Ukraine
The official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Ukrainian will go a long way. The country is officially known as Україна in Ukrainian, and the international dialling code is +380.
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Ukraine
What language do they speak in Ukraine?
The official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian.
Is English spoken in Ukraine?
English is not an official language in Ukraine. The main language is Ukrainian. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Ukraine called in its own language?
Ukraine is called "Україна" in Ukrainian.
What writing system does Ukrainian use?
Ukrainian is written in the Cyrillic alphabet (Ukrainian variant). Ukrainian is written in its own 33-letter version of the Cyrillic alphabet, distinguished from Russian Cyrillic by the letters і, ї, є and ґ, and by lacking Russian's ы, э and ъ. Spelling is close to phonetic: unlike Russian, vowels are pronounced essentially as written, which makes reading aloud easier for learners.
Is Ukrainian a tonal language?
No, Ukrainian is not a tonal language. Stress is free and mobile, as in other Slavic languages, but pitch never changes a word's meaning.
How do you say hello in Ukrainian?
"Hello" in Ukrainian is "dobryi den / pryvit".
Is Ukrainian hard to learn?
For English speakers Ukrainian carries the standard Slavic workload: seven cases, three genders and verbs paired by aspect, in the region of 1,100 class hours. The alphabet takes only days, and the consistent match between spelling and sound gives it a friendlier learning curve than Russian's shifting vowels.
How many official languages does Ukraine have?
Ukraine has one official language: Ukrainian.
Do I need to speak Ukrainian to visit Ukraine?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Ukrainian is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Ukraine?
The international dialling code for Ukraine is +380.
What is the population of Ukraine?
Ukraine has a population of approximately 41.2M, all of whom use Ukrainian as the official language.