How to Use Direct and Indirect Speech in Ukrainian

Understanding Direct Speech in Ukrainian

Direct speech in Ukrainian is used to quote someone's exact words. It is typically enclosed in quotation marks (« ») and often introduced by verbs like сказав (said), запитав (asked), or повідомив (informed). The structure closely resembles English direct speech but uses Ukrainian punctuation and verb forms.

Example of direct speech in Ukrainian:

Він сказав: «Я прийду завтра.» (He said, "I will come tomorrow.")

Understanding Indirect Speech in Ukrainian

Indirect speech (reported speech) in Ukrainian conveys what someone said without quoting their exact words. It often involves changes in verb tense, pronouns, and sometimes word order. Unlike English, Ukrainian does not use quotation marks in indirect speech.

Example of indirect speech in Ukrainian:

Він сказав, що прийде завтра. (He said that he would come tomorrow.)

Key Differences Between Direct and Indirect Speech in Ukrainian

- Direct speech uses quotation marks and the exact words of the speaker.
- Indirect speech does not use quotation marks and often requires changes in verb tense and pronouns.
- Ukrainian verbs in indirect speech are usually in the subjunctive or future tense depending on context.

How to Convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech in Ukrainian

To convert direct speech into indirect speech, follow these steps:

1. Remove the quotation marks and colon.
2. Change the verb of saying to an appropriate form (e.g., сказав, повідомив).
3. Adjust pronouns to match the perspective of the reporter.
4. Change verb tenses if necessary to reflect the time shift.
5. Use conjunctions like що (that) to introduce the reported clause.

Example Conversion

Direct speech: Вона сказала: «Я люблю читати книги.»
Indirect speech: Вона сказала, що любить читати книги.

Common Verbs Used in Reporting Speech in Ukrainian

• сказати (to say)
• запитати (to ask)
• повідомити (to inform)
• пояснити (to explain)
• заявити (to declare)

Tips for English Speakers Learning Ukrainian Speech Reporting

- Pay attention to verb tense changes when converting direct to indirect speech.
- Remember that Ukrainian uses different quotation marks (« ») for direct speech.
- Practice with common reporting verbs to become familiar with their usage.
- Notice that Ukrainian often uses the conjunction що to introduce indirect speech clauses.