бути — Be
Reading guide: buty
Usage: The infinitive “to be.” Present-tense є is often omitted: Я вдома. — I am at home.
12 CATEGORIES. 144 ESSENTIAL VERBS.
Ukrainian Essential & Auxiliary Verbs
Useful building blocks for everyday sentences. Learn Ukrainian verbs with English translations and audio.
01
Бути
Buty
Be
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CATEGORY 01 / 12
Family & Relationships
Useful building blocks for everyday sentences.
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Everyday actions, one card at a time.
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Listen and learn. Tap any verb to hear Ukrainian speech. Play category reads every verb in order; use Slow for extra practice. Latin letters are a reading aid, not an exact pronunciation guide.
Start with the dictionary form. These are infinitives (mostly imperfective) and a few common phrases. Infinitives have no gender. Present forms change with the subject; past-tense forms can show gender. English translations are a starting point; notes explain important differences.
Learning Ukrainian Essential & Auxiliary Verbs
These common verbs provide a foundation for talking about abilities, intentions and everyday actions. Learn the dictionary forms first and use the notes to distinguish meanings that overlap in English.
How to practise
- Listen to each Ukrainian expression before repeating it.
- Try the interactive lesson, then use the reference below to review spelling and meaning.
- Return to the category regularly and test the words without relying on the English.
Vocabulary reference
мати — Have
Reading guide: maty
Usage: мати means “to have.” Possession is also commonly expressed with у мене є… (I have…).
робити — Do
Reading guide: robyty
Usage: робити can mean both “do” and “make,” depending on context.
виготовляти — Make
Reading guide: vyhotovlyaty
Usage: виготовляти means to make or manufacture an object; робити is also common for “make.”
могти — Can / Be able to
Reading guide: mohty
хотіти — Want
Reading guide: khotity
потребувати — Need
Reading guide: potrebuvaty
Usage: потребувати takes a genitive object. “I need…” is also commonly мені потрібно…
мусити — Must
Reading guide: musyty
Usage: мусити is the infinitive “must / have to.” Also common: треба or потрібно + infinitive.
ставати — Become
Reading guide: stavaty
користуватися — Use
Reading guide: korystuvatysya
намагатися — Try
Reading guide: namahatysya
дозволяти — Let / Allow
Reading guide: dozvolyaty