Table of Contents:
| Дякую! /d’akuju/ | Thank you! | Standard way to say “thank you” |
| Дуже дякую! /duzhe d’akuju/ | Thank you very much! | Expressing extra gratitude |
| Щиро дякую! /shchyro d’akuju/ | Sincerely thank you! | Conveying heartfelt gratitude |
| Сердечно дякую! /serdechno d’akuju/ | Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! | Emphasizing deep appreciation |
| Спасибі! /spasybi/ | Thank you! | Another common way to say “thank you” |
| Дякую за…. /d’akuju za/ | Thank you for… | Express gratitude for something |
Play audio to hear the Ukrainian pronunciation of Дякую! /d’akuju/
Gratitude holds an important place in Ukrainian culture. Saying “thank you” shows respect, kindness, and appreciation for another person’s actions. Failing to show gratitude is often seen as rude or disrespectful. People expect thanks when they offer help, kindness, or hospitality.
Learning how to say “thank you” in Ukrainian is a simple way to show respect. It helps you build trust and form warmer connections with locals during your visit.
1. Origin of the word Дякую /d’akuju/ – Thank You
And where does the Ukrainian verb – дякувати /d’akuvaty/ come from?
All these words are believed to have origins that can be traced back to the Latin word “tongeo,” which means “to know”:
| Language | Word/Phrase |
| Ukrainian | дякувати /d’akuvaty/ |
| Belarusian | дзякаваць /dzyakavats/ |
| Polish | podziękować |
| Czech | poděkovat |
| Slovak | poďakovať |
| Middle High German | dank |
| Modern High German | danken |
| Latin | tongeo |
| Russian | спасибo /spasibo/ |
2. Origin of the word Спасибі /spasybi/ – Thank you
Ukrainians often say “Спасибі!” (spasybi) to express gratitude for kindness, help, or attention. The word comes from the old phrase “спаси Бог” (“God save”), which later changed phonetically into its modern form.
Written records show the use of спасибі as early as the 16th century. It developed within Ukrainian and is not a borrowing from Russian. The word спасибі has strong roots in Ukrainian.
It appears in the dictionary edited by Boris Hrinchenko, which does not list Russian borrowings. It is also found throughout the works of all major Ukrainian literary classics.
3. How to Say – You’re Welcome – in Ukrainian
According to Ukrainian etiquette, people usually respond when someone thanks them. The exact reply depends on what they are being thanked for:
- на здоров’я! /na zdorovja/ – For good health! (a wish for health or “bon appétit”) is used as a response for thanks related to food;
- прошу! /proshu/ – You’re welcome! – Common response to gratitude;
- будь ласка! /bud’ laska/ – Please;
- нема за що! /nema za shcho/ – Don’t mention it.
Psychologists note that words of gratitude have a powerful effect. Saying “thank you” creates a positive mood and strengthens relationships. The more often we express gratitude, the more kindness and goodwill we invite into our lives.
FAQ’s
1. Are the words “дякую” and “спасибі” interchangeable in Ukrainian?
Both “дякую” and “спасибі” can be used to express gratitude in Ukrainian, but “дякую” is more commonly used in everyday speech, while “спасибі” is considered slightly more formal. Within the eateries and cafes of Kyiv city, you’ll frequently hear locals expressing gratitude with the word “дякую”.
2. What are some other ways to say “thank you” in Ukrainian except Дякую /d’akuju/?
In addition to “дякую” and “спасибі,” you can also say “дуже дякую” (thank you very much), “щиро дякую” (sincerely thank you), and “сердечно дякую” (thank you from the bottom of my heart). This way, you enhance the noun’s meaning with the help of the adjective. While exploring the best places to eat in Kyiv, knowing different ways to express gratitude is helpful.
3. How important is expressing gratitude in Ukrainian culture?
Saying thank you matters a lot in Ukrainian culture. If you don’t, it can come across as rude. People appreciate it when their kindness and hospitality are noticed, and they expect a thank you in return. Many of my tourists mention this in their positive reviews, noting how much they appreciated the warm and thoughtful hospitality they received in Ukraine.
4. Can I use English expressions like “thank you” in Ukraine?
Ukrainians easily understand the English phrase ‘Thank you’. However, using the Ukrainian word “дякую” (‘dya-koo-yoo) shows extra respect and effort. Locals appreciate it warmly when foreigners use their language, even for simple expressions.
About the author:
Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I speak fluent English and love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights in Sweden and the Baltics.