Word Order
A1–A2Sentence building 4 min
The usual order is subject, verb, object; an adjective goes before its noun, and the new or most important information comes at the end. An adjective goes before the noun it describes: Це ціка́ва кни́жка. Ми живемо́ у вели́кому мі́сті.
No information at the current level. This view starts at A1: choose A1 or a higher level.
No information at the current level. This view starts at A1: choose A1 or a higher level.
CheatsheetA1–A2
| Point | Rule | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentence | subject + verb + object | Студе́нт пи́ше лист. | The student is writing a letter. |
| Adjective | before the noun | Це нови́й буди́нок. | This is a new building. |
| Time, place | often at the start of the sentence | Уве́чері ми гуля́ємо в па́рку. | In the evening we walk in the park. |
| Negation | не before the verb | Я не розумі́ю. | I don't understand. |
| A2Adverb | до́бре / ду́же / шви́дко before the verb | Він до́бре гово́рить украї́нською. | He speaks Ukrainian well. |
| A2Pronoun | an object pronoun usually goes before the verb | Я тебе́ ба́чу. | I can see you. |
| A2New information | at the end of the sentence | Цю кни́жку написа́ла Лі́на Косте́нко. | This book was written by Lina Kostenko. |
| Trap | the adjective goes before the noun; after it only as a stylistic device | Я ма́ю черво́ну су́мку. | I have a red bag. |
OverviewA1–A2
- Case endings show who does what, so Ukrainian word order is free. The usual order is subject, verb, object: Ма́ма чита́є газе́ту. — Mum is reading the newspaper.
- A2Another order keeps the meaning and changes what is new: the new or most important information comes at the end. Ма́ма чита́є газе́ту. ≠ Газе́ту чита́є ма́ма. — Mum is reading the newspaper. ≠ It's Mum who is reading the newspaper.
The usual orderA1–A2
| Rule | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| subject, verb, object | Андрі́й купу́є хліб. | Andrii is buying bread. |
| the adjective before the noun | У нас нова́ кварти́ра. | We have a new flat. |
| time or place at the start | У се́рпні ми ї́демо до Льво́ва. | In August we're going to Lviv. |
| не right before the verb | Сього́дні я не працю́ю. | I'm not working today. |
| a question: the same order, a rising voice | Ти розмовля́єш украї́нською?↗ | Do you speak Ukrainian? |
| A2до́бре / ду́же / шви́дко before the verb | Я ду́же люблю́ ка́ву. | I really like coffee. |
| A2an object pronoun before the verb | Ми тебе́ чека́ємо. | We're waiting for you. |
- Questions and negatives: Questions and Negation.
New information at the endA2
| What is new | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| when? | Коли́ ви ї́дете до Льво́ва? — До Льво́ва ми ї́демо за́втра. | When are you going to Lviv? — We're going to Lviv tomorrow. |
| where to? | Куди́ ви ї́дете за́втра? — За́втра ми ї́демо до Льво́ва. | Where are you going tomorrow? — Tomorrow we're going to Lviv. |
| who? | Хто написа́в цей текст? — Цей текст написа́в І́гор. | Who wrote this text? — Ihor wrote this text. |
- The word that answers the question goes at the end of the answer.
Typical errorsA2
| ✗ | ✓ | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Я люблю́ ду́же ка́ву. | Я ду́же люблю́ ка́ву. | ду́же goes before the verb it makes stronger |