How to Use Personal Pronouns in Ukrainian for English Speakers

Understanding Personal Pronouns in Ukrainian

Personal pronouns are words that replace nouns referring to people or things. In Ukrainian, personal pronouns change form depending on the grammatical case, which is different from English where pronouns mostly change only for subject and object.

Why Are Personal Pronouns Important?

Using personal pronouns correctly helps you avoid repetition and makes your speech and writing more natural. For English speakers learning Ukrainian, mastering personal pronouns is essential because they reflect the case system and gender, which are new concepts compared to English.

The Ukrainian Personal Pronouns: Subject Case

The subject case (nominative) is used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence. Here are the Ukrainian personal pronouns in the nominative case:

• Я (ya) – I
• Ти (ty) – You (singular, informal)
• Він (vin) – He
• Вона (vona) – She
• Воно (vono) – It
• Ми (my) – We
• Ви (vy) – You (plural or formal)
• Вони (vony) – They

Examples in Sentences

Я читаю книгу. – I am reading a book.
Вона працює в офісі. – She works in an office.
Ми йдемо до школи. – We are going to school.

Cases and Personal Pronouns in Ukrainian

Unlike English, Ukrainian personal pronouns change form depending on the grammatical case. The main cases are nominative (subject), accusative (direct object), genitive (possession), dative (indirect object), instrumental, and locative. Here are the pronouns in some common cases:

1. Nominative (subject): Я, Ти, Він, Вона, Воно, Ми, Ви, Вони
2. Accusative (direct object): Мене, Тебе, Його, Її, Його, Нас, Вас, Їх
3. Genitive (possession): Мене, Тебе, Його, Її, Його, Нас, Вас, Їх
4. Dative (indirect object): Мені, Тобі, Йому, Їй, Йому, Нам, Вам, Їм

Example: Using 'I' in Different Cases

Я бачу тебе. – I see you. (Я in nominative)
Він бачить мене. – He sees me. (мене in accusative)
Це книга для мене. – This is a book for me. (мені in dative)

Formal and Informal 'You' in Ukrainian

Ukrainian distinguishes between informal and formal 'you'. Use ти when speaking to friends, family, or children. Use ви when addressing strangers, elders, or in formal situations. Ви is also the plural 'you'.

Examples

Ти говориш українською? – Do you (informal) speak Ukrainian?
Ви говорите англійською? – Do you (formal or plural) speak English?

Gender in Ukrainian Personal Pronouns

Ukrainian personal pronouns reflect gender in the third person singular: він (he), вона (she), and воно (it). This is important when referring to people or objects, as the pronoun must agree with the gender of the noun it replaces.

Examples

Він студент. – He is a student.
Вона вчителька. – She is a teacher.
Воно маленьке. – It is small. (for neuter nouns)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing formal and informal 'you' (ти vs ви).
• Using the wrong case form of the pronoun.
• Forgetting gender agreement in third person singular.
• Using subject pronouns unnecessarily, as Ukrainian often omits them when the verb form is clear.

Practice: Personal Pronouns in Ukrainian