Basic Ukrainian phrases for travelers

Planning a trip to Ukraine but don’t speak Ukrainian language?

No need to worry. Most Ukrainians — especially younger people in Kyiv — speak at least some English and are usually happy to help visitors. Still, learning a few basic Ukrainian phrases can make your trip smoother and help you connect with locals on a more personal level.

Ukrainian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so at first some words and street signs may look unfamiliar. 

The VisitKyiv.com team put together this guide with useful everyday expressions, basic Ukrainian greetings, and simple travel phrases that can help you feel more confident while exploring the city.

How to say hi in Ukrainian

There are several common ways to greet people in Ukrainian. Here are the greetings you’ll hear most often in Kyiv:

How to ask “How are you?” in Ukrainian and respond

Ukrainians are generally warm and conversational, so knowing a few simple phrases can help keep the interaction going.

To ask “How are you?” in Ukrainian, say: “Як справи?” [Yak spravy]

Some common responses include:

• Добре, дякую! [Dobre, diakuiu] — universal “Good, thank you!”
• Чудово! [Chudovo] — the perfect option when you’re in a great mood; “Great!”
• Нормально [Normalno] — “Fine” or “Okay”
• Потихеньку [Potykhenku] — a very Ukrainian way to say “Little by little” or “Getting by”

To be polite and ask “And you?” in back, just add:

• А у вас? [A u vas?] — formal version (to strangers)
• А у тебе? [A u tebe?] — informal version

Popular Ukrainian phrases for everyday conversation

If you want to feel more comfortable walking around Kyiv, these basic Ukrainian words and phrases are worth learning:

• Мене звати… [Mene zvaty…] — a phrase to help you introduce yourself when meeting someone new
• Так [Tak] — that’s how “yes” sounds in Ukrainian 
• Ні [Ni] — the simplest answer to the question “how do you say no in Ukrainian”
• Дякую [Diakuiu] — a universal phrase if you want to thank someone  
• Вибачте [Vybachte] — a word that will help you politely start a conversation or apologize
• До побачення [Do pobachennia] — a standard farewell at the end of a meeting  

Asking for help and navigating the city

Getting lost in a new city happens to everyone. These useful phrases can help you ask for directions or communicate with locals while getting around Kyiv.

You’ll often hear directions like these in response:

Phrases for safe travel

Because of the ongoing war, it’s helpful to know a few emergency phrases before traveling around Ukraine. These expressions may help you react more quickly during an air raid alert or other emergency situations.

Ordering in restaurants and shops

Knowing some basic Ukrainian phrases makes your stay in the city much easier, especially when shopping or sightseeing. You can use these phrases to easily order food at Kyiv restaurants and buy groceries or souvenirs at local markets:

Why do you need to learn these basic Ukrainian phrases?

You don’t need to speak fluent Ukrainian to feel comfortable in Kyiv. Most locals understand English, and translation apps make communication even easier.

Still, learning a few common Ukrainian phrases is a simple way to show respect for the local culture and the people you meet during your trip. Ukrainians genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

Often, a sincere “Дякую” (“Thank you”) or “Добрий день” (“Good afternoon”) is enough to make interactions warmer and friendlier.

Whether you’re visiting Ukraine for a weekend or planning a longer stay, these basic Ukrainian phrases can help you feel more connected to the city and more confident while traveling.

And most importantly — don’t be afraid of making mistakes. People will appreciate the effort far more than perfect grammar.