How many letters are in the Ukrainian language. Ukrainian alphabet - Ukrainian alphabet How to read Ukrainian letters in Russian

The Ukrainian language is a familiar stranger, everything you need about the language is in our article:

  • Dialects of the Ukrainian language
  • Ukrainian language - alphabet, letters, transcription
  • Ukrainian language - listen, watch online: Ukrainian songs

7 basic facts about the Ukrainian language

  1. Ukrainian language (self-name: Ukrainian language) is the language of Ukrainians, one of the Slavic languages.
  2. Close to Belarusian and Russian. According to the genetic classification, the Ukrainian language belongs to the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic group of the Indo-European family.
  3. It is distributed mainly on the territory of Ukraine, as well as in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia and among the descendants of emigrants in Canada, the USA, Argentina, Australia.
  4. It is the state language of Ukraine.
  5. In a number of states of Central and Eastern Europe, where Ukrainians are usually densely settled (Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania and other countries), Ukrainian has the status of a national minority language or a regional language.
  6. The total number of Ukrainian speakers in the world is from 36 to 45 million people.
  7. In Ukraine, Ukrainian is native for 31,971 thousand Ukrainians (85.2%) and 328 thousand Russians.

How to speak Ukrainian - the specifics of the language and pronunciation

  • There is no akanya in Ukrainian;
  • vowel /i/ in place of Old Russian /ê/ and Old Russian /o/ and /e/ in new closed syllables: snig"snow", strength"salt", nic"carried" (other Russian. sng, salt, carry);
  • Phoneme /i/ (s) in place of Old Russian /i/: mily[mily] "cute";
  • There is no softness of consonants before /e/ and /and/: carried"carried" great"big";
  • Voiced consonants at the end of a word: oak[oak] "oak", lower[lower] "knife", rig[rig] "horn";
  • Soft final /ц′/: finger"finger", kinets"the end";
  • Instrumental endings -oy, —her without cutting them into -oh, -ey: water"water", earth"earth";
  • Endings of masculine nouns -ovi, -evi in the dative singular form, regardless of the type of stem: brothers"brother" horses"horse";
  • Short forms of feminine and neuter adjectives in the nominative and accusative cases: nova"new", new"new", new"new", newi"new";
  • Infinitive with stem on - ti: carry"carry", wear"wear", read"read" and the loss of the infinitive on*-ci;
  • Synthetic form of the future tense of verbs: kupuvatima"I will buy", bitimesh"you will beat";
  • Vowels in the Ukrainian literary language are pronounced distinctly under stress: [mandate] (ɑ), [pride] (ɔ), [usno] (u), [village] (ɛ), [crit] (ɪ), [lіviy] ( i). The literary language is also characterized by a clear pronunciation [a], [y], [i], [o] in unstressed syllables: [raspberry], [kuvati], [pishou], [milk].
  • In unstressed syllables, [e] is pronounced with approximation [s], and [s] sounds like [e]. for example: [se and lo], [te y che], [dy e high ']. However, depending on the place in the word, on the nature of the neighboring sounds, the approximations [e] to [s] and [i] to [e] are not always the same. Before the composition according to the highlighted [e], the vowel [i] is pronounced as [ei], and the vowel [e] before the composition of the marked [i] sounds like [i]: [teihen'ky], [min'i]. Unstressed [and] before the next [th] is pronounced distinctly [kind], [cheirvony].
  • Voiced consonants [j], [dz], [dz'] in the Ukrainian literary language are pronounced as one sound, which distinguishes them from the pronunciation of sound combinations [d] + [g], [d] + [h], [d] + [ h'].
  • Hissing consonants [zh], [h], [w], [j] before vowels [a], [o], [y], [e], [i] and before consonants are pronounced firmly in the Ukrainian literary language.
  • In the speech stream, consonant sounds [g], [h], [w] are likened to the following sounds [h], [c], [s], and the sounds [s], [c], [s] are likened to the following [g], [h], [w]. pronounced [zvaz's'a], [stez'ts'i], [sm'іyes': a], not [muts's'a], [r'its': i], [zr'їsh: and ], [zhcheplein': a], it is written zvazhsya, stitches, laughing, not suffering, rіchtsі, zrіsshi, zcheplennya.
  • In a speech stream, the combination of a soft sound [t '] with soft [s '] or [ts '] forms an elongated soft sound [ts ':] or [ts ']. It is pronounced [robiets’: a], [t’itts’: i], [brotherly], it is written “shy”, “tittsі”, “brotherly”.
  • In the speech stream, the voiced sound [z] in combination with other consonants is pronounced loudly: [z] 'їzd, [z] side, [z] year, lі [z] ti, Moro [z] ko. The prefix z-, as a preposition, before a deaf consonant turns into s-: it is pronounced [s'ts'iditi], it is written zciditi, it is pronounced [sushiti], it is written zsushiti. A change in the prefix from - to s- is fixed by spelling if the prefix comes before k, p, t, x, f: say, spitati, turbovaniya, skhiliti, photograph.
  • In the speech stream, deaf consonants before voiced ones are likened to paired voiced ones, they become voiced: [borodba] is pronounced, but wrestling is written (cf. wrestling), [request] is pronounced, but a request is written (see ask), pronounced [khodzhby] but written hoch bi (cf. want).
  • In the speech stream, consonants [d], [t], [l], [n], [h], [s], [c] - in combination with soft ones soften: [m'іts'n'іs't'] , [p'is'l'a], [s'v'ato], [g'id'n'i].
  • The consonant [v] at the end of a syllable, at the beginning of a word before a consonant, is pronounced as a non-syllable sound [ў], which cannot be likened to a deaf consonant [f]. In the speech flow, there is an alternation of sounds [y] - [v], [i] - [d], which makes it possible to avoid an undesirable combination of consonants that is difficult to pronounce.
  • The alternation [y] - [v], [i] - [th] depends on what sound - consonant or vowel - the previous word ends and the next one begins.

But the general specificity of the language is quite variable in dialects, and local dialects are very different from each other.

Dialects of the Ukrainian language

Dialects of the Ukrainian language are divided into three main dialects (or dialect groups)

  • Northern (Polesye) dialect ( pіvnіchne, polіske narіchchya). The features of the dialects of the northern dialect were formed under the influence of the adjacent dialects of the Belarusian language. Includes East Polissian (Left Bank Polesian), Middle Polissian (Right Bank Polesian) and Western Polissian (Volyn-Polesian) dialects.
  • Southwestern dialect ( pіvdenno-zahіdne narіchchya). It is distinguished by significant dialect fragmentation due to foreign language influence (Polish, Slovak, Hungarian, etc.), long-term isolation of certain dialects within various states and administrative-territorial units, and partly by geographical conditions (relative isolation in the mountain valleys of the Carpathians). Features of dialects of the southwestern dialect are noted in the South Russian language, as well as in the speech of the majority of the descendants of Ukrainian emigrants in the USA, Canada and other countries. Includes three subgroups of dialects:
    • Volyn-Podolsk (Volyn and Podolsk dialects);
    • Galician-Bukovina (Podnestrovian, Pokutsko-Bukovina (Nadprut), Hutsul (East Carpathian) and Posan dialects);
    • Carpathian (Boiko (Northern Carpathian, or North Subcarpathian), Transcarpathian (Middle Transcarpathian, Subcarpathian, or South Carpathian) and Lemko (Western Carpathian) dialects).
  • southeastern dialect ( pіvdenno-skhіdne narіchcha). In comparison with other Ukrainian dialects, it is the most homogeneous. The dialects of the southeastern dialect are the basis of the modern Ukrainian literary language (along with the southeastern linguistic features, a number of features of other Ukrainian dialects, primarily the dialects of the southwestern dialect, also entered the literary language). The dialectal features of the southeastern dialect (along with the features of the northern one) underlie the dialects of Ukrainian settlers in Russia (in the Kuban, the Volga region, Siberia, the Far East), Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Includes Middle Dnieper, Slobozhansky and steppe dialects.

Ukrainian language - alphabet

The Ukrainian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, the alphabet consists of 33 letters.

The peculiarities of the Ukrainian alphabet in comparison with other Cyrillic alphabets are the presence of letters Ґ , Є and Ї

Letter Name IFA
A a a /ɑ/ /ɑ/
B b be /bɛ/ /b/
in in ve /ʋɛ/ /ʋ/, /w/
G g ge /ɦɛ/ /ɦ/
Ґ ґ ґе /gɛ/ /g/
D d de /dɛ/ /d/
Her e /e/ /ɛ/
Є є є /je/ /jɛ/, /ʲɛ/
F or /ʒɛ/ /ʒ/
W h ze /zɛ/ /z/
And and and /ɪ/ /ɪ/
I i i /i/ /i/, /ʲi/, /ɪ/, /ʲɪ/
Ї ї ї /ji/ /ji/, /jɪ/
th yot /jɔt/ /j/
K to ka /kɑ/ /k/
L l ate /ɛl/ /l/
Mm eat /ɛm/ /m/
Letter Name IFA
N n en /ɛn/ /n/
Oh oh o /ɔ/ /ɔ/
P p ne /pɛ/ /p/
R p er /ɛr/ /r/
C with es /ɛs/ /s/
T t te /tɛ/ /t/
u u /u/ /u/
f f ef /ɛf/ /f/
x x ha /xɑ/ /x/
C c tse /t͡sɛ/ /t͡s/
h h che //t͡ʃɛ/ //t͡ʃ/
W w sha /ʃɑ/ /ʃ/
u u shcha /ʃt͡ʃɑ/ /ʃt͡ʃ/
b b soft sign
/mjɑˈkɪj znɑk/
/ʲ/
yu yu yu / ju / /ju/, /ʲu/
I am i /ja/ /jɑ/, /ʲɑ/

Sample text in Ukrainian

The development of the literary process is a phenomenon that is different and not unambiguous among rich people. At the same time, there may be clear parameters of functioning, a number of features that change from century to century, characterizing the cultural and mystical unity of Ukrainian literature. At the link with the cim, let's look at the introduction in the Ukrainian artistic word not only in the literary centers, but also in the neighboring regions. Varto respect that such studios are guilty of relying on the idea of ​​the artistic integrity of Ukrainian literature, on the unique character of the light cultural process.

Ukrainian language - listen, watch online: films in Ukrainian, Ukrainian songs

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DESPACITO (Des according to the world) Ukrainian version

Ukrainian alphabet- one of the variations of the Cyrillic writing system. Belarusian is the closest genealogical language to Ukrainian. The Ukrainian language is the officially recognized language of Ukraine and unofficially of Transnistria. In philology, this language is called Western Russian, Old Ukrainian or Old Belarusian. Only by the middle of the 20th century did Ukrainian receive official recognition, before that it was considered a Little Russian dialect.

Almost all letters in writing correspond to the Russian alphabet. The Ukrainian alphabet also consists of 33 letters, but some of them are all different. It's funny that at one time the soft sign in the Ukrainian alphabet was not in the usual place, but was at the very end of the alphabet.

Ukrainian language. Peculiarities. Letters of the Ukrainian alphabet.

Ukrainian language alphabet does not include some of the letters so familiar to us: e, b, s and e. In those words that use the sound corresponding to the letter ё in the Russian alphabet, the Ukrainian alphabet will suggest the combination yo (his / yogo) at the beginning of the word and after the vowel sound, and after the soft consonant - ё. A dividing solid sign is indicated by an apostrophe.

If we learn the letters of the Ukrainian alphabet, then we will certainly come across the letters i, ï, є. But do not be afraid, because all these letters have analogues in Russian. So, i will denote the familiar to us and, ï corresponds to our e or ё. The letter ё in some cases is also denoted by the Ukrainian letter є.

There is an interesting feature in the spelling of some Ukrainian words - at the beginning there is a so-called secondary consonant (v or d). For example, in the words wuho (ear), gorih (nut).

Unusual letter combinations in words that are pronounced the same as in Russian are very interesting. They occur in words like ïjju (I drive).

Both lowercase and uppercase letters in Ukrainian, as well as in Russian, have the same spelling when printed and different when written by hand. It turns out that printed lowercase letters and uppercase letters differ only in size. The rules for the use of lowercase and uppercase letters in the Ukrainian language are the same as in Russian. Uppercase (large, capital) letters are used when writing proper names (names and surnames of people, animal names, geographical names) and names. The names include the names of institutions, monuments, public events, orders, etc. In Ukrainian, a capital letter is placed at the beginning of a sentence, just like in Russian.

In case you are studying Ukrainian alphabet online, be sure to listen to the recordings with the correct pronunciation of the letters. Indeed, in the Ukrainian language there is a guttural fricative h (r) and voiced sound combinations j, dz. These are especially difficult to study. letters for kids. We offer learn the alphabet for kids online this provides a wonderful opportunity to visually memorize the letters of a language not only from paper, but also from a computer screen. In the future, the child will not have to get used to using a computer when reading or writing in Ukrainian.

Learn Ukrainian alphabet online. Ukrainian alphabet for children. Learn the letters of the Ukrainian language.

  • A a
  • B b
  • in in
  • G g
  • Ґ ґ
  • D d
  • Her
  • Є є
  • F
  • W h
  • And and
  • І і
  • Ї ї
  • th
  • K to
  • L l
  • Mm
  • N n
  • Oh oh
  • P p
  • R p
  • C with
  • T t
  • u u
  • f f
  • x x
  • C c
  • h h
  • W w
  • u u
  • b b
  • yu yu
  • I am

The Ukrainian alphabet is one of the national variants of the Cyrillic writing system. Graphically, at its core, it coincides with the alphabet of the Russian language, but has a distinctive feature, in particular, the absence of letters e, b, s, e.

To write the letter ё at the beginning of a syllable or word, a combination of letters is used yo: yogo (him), edge (edge); in position after a soft consonant - a combination yo: rope (rope). The sound [j], following the consonant and performing a function similar to a separating solid sign in Russian, is expressed in writing using an apostrophe: worm "yak (worm), m" yak (soft). The Russian vowel ы in Ukrainian corresponds to and, the pronunciation of which is a cross between the indicated letters in Russian, for example, in the word force. The Russian vowel e corresponds to e: heart (heart).

Another characteristic difference of the Ukrainian alphabet is the presence of letters i, i, є, which are absent in Russian. Thus, the phoneme expressed in writing by the letter i (kin - horse; qina - price), represents a vowel identical to Russian and; the letter ï stands for ji (ïzhak - hedgehog; ïda - food); the letter є is used to convey a combination je (mine - mine) and serves, moreover, to express the softness of the preceding consonant (may).

The modern alphabet of the Ukrainian language includes six vowels: a, e, i, o, y, and. Being in an unstressed position, vowels are not subjected to either qualitative or quantitative reduction. However, at the beginning of a word, unstressed y and i, under the influence of the vowels of the preceding words, lose their syllabic character and become non-syllabic. y, j. Often in the Ukrainian language there is the so-called secondary в or г before the initial ones. u, o: vuho (ear), vidvaga (courage), gorih (nut). As a result of the transformation of the original s into and, a “new” appeared i, replacing in all positions the old ѣ (yat), which corresponded to e in Russian, cf., for example: snig - snow; wind - wind. And in the new closed syllables (after the fall of the reduced vowels), the “new” i appeared in place of o and e as a result of the lengthening of the latter. However, in open syllables, these vowels remained unchanged. This phenomenon, namely the alternation e - i, o - i, represents an important feature of the phonetics and morphology of the Ukrainian language, cf.: kin - horse; hop - hop. Runaways oh e(from the reduced ones) appear in closed syllables, while they do not alternate with the letter i: day - days. Such alternations are absent in borrowings, including from the Russian language: factory to factory, student. In words in which the initial o turned into i, the secondary o also appeared: vitchizna (fatherland), vikno (window).

A characteristic feature of the consonant system of the Ukrainian language is the presence of a voiced guttural fricative h (r), as well as voiced affricates j, dz (corresponding to voiceless h, c): dzherelo (source), gudzik (button). The posterior plosive r appears exclusively in some loanwords: gvint (screw), ganok (porch).

In the Ukrainian language, correlates are distinguished by deafness and voicedness, and voiceless consonants are voiced in the position before voiced ones, while voiced ones before the voiceless ones and at the end of the word remain voiced, which makes Ukrainian similar to the Serbo-Croatian language: lower - knife, book. Correlates also differ in softness and hardness, and q also belongs to soft consonants: kinets - kintsya (end - of the end), misyats (month). Unlike Russian, the consonant h is pronounced firmly: hour (time), part (particle).

The soft hissing consonants of the Russian language in Ukrainian correspond to hard zhdzh, shch: zhdzhu (I go), chirp (disappear).

Softening of consonants before the front vowels and, e does not occur. This phenomenon is a characteristic feature of the Ukrainian language, which distinguishes it from Russian and Belarusian. After the fall of the reduced ones in the 12th-15th centuries, hardening occurred in the language, in particular, labial consonants at the end of a word, for example: cim (seven), vicim (eight). Soft labial consonants before a always appear in combination with j: m "yaso = mjaso.

Another feature of the Ukrainian language is the non-syllabic y, which appears in the following cases: at the beginning of a word, in place of the usual y, if it is preceded by a vowel (navchiti - to teach); at the beginning of a word in place in, if at the end of the previous word there is a consonant ( like the water fell = like the water fell); instead of the closing syllable in (koriv = koriu); in past tense forms in place of a solid l, as well as in some words and in middle syllables ( vovk = wok - wolf; zhovtiy = zhovtiy - yellow; povny = pouniy - full).

The Ukrainian language has been known since ancient times (IX century AD). However, it received the status of a literary language only at the end of the 18th century, when Ivan Kotlyarevsky published the Aeneidi (Aeneids). Also, it is one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world based on the number of its speakers (26th place - approximately 35 million people), and among the Slavic languages ​​it ranks second in terms of prevalence (after the Russian language).

The Ukrainian alphabet, like the Russian one, consists of 33 letters. It finally took shape in the early 1990s. 20th century after the creation of an independent Ukrainian state.

The composition of the Ukrainian alphabet currently includes:

As you can see, the language lacks such letters of the Russian alphabet as Yoyo, Yy, Ъъ and Ee. But Ґґ, Іі, Її and Єє are used.

The letter Ґґ appeared in the Ukrainian language in 1993. Phonetically, it fully corresponds to the Russian sound "g".

In there is no reduction of unstressed vowels, as in. This can be expressed in these words: "As it is heard, so it is". In any case, this is good news for you, since you are unlikely to experience spelling difficulties.

Some consonants before vowels are pronounced softer than in Russian, such as Zhzh, Tsts and Shsh.

ALWAYS remember that the Ukrainian "Іі" is read as the Russian "II", and the Ukrainian "II" is read as the Russian "Yy". This is a very important point, because beginners here often fall into a stupor and get confused in pronunciation.

The Ukrainian language has many words borrowed from Polish and have no analogues in Russian. You just need to learn such words, for example, "bіlizna" - underwear, "vinyatok" - an exception, "at once" - together, etc.

The situation is similar with the following letters. So, the Ukrainian "Єє" is phonetically similar to the Russian letter "Ee" (ye), the Ukrainian "Ee" is read as the Russian "Ee".

If you have ever heard a Ukrainian speech or a South Russian accent, you probably noticed that they contain the so-called "gekanye". This is how the letter "G" is pronounced. As for the letter "Її", it is pronounced like "yi".

The easiest way to learn Ukrainian will be for those who know Belarusian or Polish, or at least are familiar with them. The fact is that lexically Ukrainian and Belarusian languages ​​coincide by 84%, coincidence with Polish by 70%, but with Russian - only by 62%.

Dare and you will speak in Ukrainian language for good. Good bye!

As in the Russian and Ukrainian alphabets, there are 33 letters. But this does not mean that they are equivalent to each other. Shades of differences can be seen even in speech, and if you delve into the study of this melodic language, then in the alphabet.

How many vowels are in Ukrainian?

In the modern alphabet, which was finally formed at the end of the 19th century, 10 vowels, as in the Russian alphabet. And they give 6 sounds. Already interested? Consider them:

There are no letters Ё, Ы, Е in the Ukrainian alphabet. Due to the fact that many letters often give a different sound than their graphic designation, their phonetic meaning in various situations should be given.

Ukrainian vowels

Letter Pronunciation Note
A and I Unrubbed rear low In pre-stressed syllables, a slight roundness may appear - ([ɒ]);
І Corresponds to Russian I (traditionally softer)
Ї Unbroken front high Reads like Yi
And Unrubbed unstressed front high-mid Close to Russian Y, but softer,
reduced after soft consonants
E Corresponds to Russian E
Є Unrubbed anterior medium-low Corresponds to Russian E
O Rounded rear low-mid Pronounced after soft sounds with a long sound, in an unstressed position like an OU
U and Yu Rounded back high Corresponds to graphic spelling, after some consonants sound

Such variability in the sound of vowels gave rise to the colorful melody of Ukrainian speech.

How many consonant letters are in the Ukrainian alphabet?

The collection of consonants, among which there are interesting representatives, contributed a lot to the poetry of the sound. Let's list them first:

  • Bb. Usually pronounced as in Russian speech.
  • cc. Gives the same combinations of sounds in words as in Russian pronunciation.
  • gg. The letter gives a guttural sound, which is pronounced loudly in the posterior lingual cavity of the mouth.
  • Ґґ. The sound is similar to the Russian pronunciation "G".
  • dd. Similar in phonetic laws to the Russian counterpart.
  • Learn. It forms a sound, like a Russian letter, but before I, Yu, I, its pronunciation softens.
  • Zz. Traditionally, it does not differ from Russian pronunciation, however, in combination with -ДЗЬ and the like, it gives a softer sound.
  • Yi. Before "O" becomes [j]. Otherwise, it expresses itself as a non-syllabic vowel [i].
  • Kk. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • Ll. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • Mm. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • Nn. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • Pp. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • RR. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • Ss. According to phonetic rules, it corresponds to Russian speech.
  • Tt. Gives the same combinations of sounds in words as in Russian pronunciation.
  • ff. Gives the same combinations of sounds in words as in Russian pronunciation. At first, it was unpopular among people; in its place, a combination of the letters ХВ or Х was often used.
  • Xx. Gives the same combinations of sounds in words as in Russian pronunciation.
  • Tsts. In most cases, it is identical to the Russian pronunciation. Before a soft sign and vowels І, Є, Yu, I becomes soft.
  • hh. The sound, unlike Russian, gives a solid one. Anticipating I, Yu, I in a word, it becomes soft.
  • Shsh. Repeats the laws of phonetics of Russian speech. Before softening vowels, it gives a sound similar to Russian [w'].
  • Shch. In a literary sound, it expresses firmness, before I it becomes softer.

There are 22 consonants in the Ukrainian alphabet. Where is the 33rd letter? Outside the group of vowels and consonants, the letter b stands apart (soft sign).

Interesting facts: Ukrainian alphabet and speech

  1. The formation of speech, the alphabet of Ukraine took a very long time. Various schools offered their own versions for Ukrainian literary pronunciation and spelling. The most famous were Yaryzhka (Eryzhka), Kulishovka and Zhelekhovka.
  2. Zhelekhovka was common in Austria-Hungary at the end of the 19th century.
  3. Kulishovka was forbidden to be printed at the state level until 1904.
  4. The ban on the distribution, printing and import from abroad of books in the Little Russian dialect was also in effect until the beginning of the 20th century.
  5. The modern order and symbols of the alphabet of Ukraine were approved by normative acts in 1993.
  6. Along with letters, sounds in Ukrainian letters are also formed by an apostrophe, which has replaced a solid sign.
  7. In the word "Ukrainian" it is correct to put the stress on the third syllable.
  8. The basic principle of the Ukrainian language: as I hear, so I write.
  9. The center of the sentence in Ukrainian speech is not the subject, as in Russian speech, but the action, i.e. the verb.
  10. Often a phrase is constructed impersonally, when it is not necessary to determine the specific performer of the action.

Be that as it may, the speakers of Russian and Ukrainian speech may well understand each other, since our languages ​​\u200b\u200bare descended from the same progenitor - the Proto-Slavic language.

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