Café & Drinks

1. Мені, будь ласка, чашку узвару

   Me-NI, bud LAS-ka, CHASH-ku uz-VA-ru

   A cup of uzvar (dried fruit compote), please

   Usage

   Used to order uzvar, a traditional Ukrainian hot drink made from dried fruits

   Grammar Note

   "Чашку + genitive" means "a cup of." The genitive shows quantity. Uzvar is traditionally served on Christmas Eve

2. Чи є у вас горілка з перцем?

   Chy ye u vas ho-RIL-ka z PER-tsem?

   Do you have pepper vodka?

   Usage

   Used to ask for pepper-infused horilka, a popular Ukrainian spirit

   Grammar Note

   "З + instrumental" means "with." Horilka is Ukraine's national spirit, derived from "горіти" (to burn)

3. Будь ласка, склянку квасу

   Bud LAS-ka, SKLYAN-ku KVA-su

   A glass of kvass, please

   Usage

   Used to order kvass, a traditional fermented bread drink

   Grammar Note

   "Склянку + genitive" means "a glass of." Kvass is a low-alcohol drink fermented from dark bread

4. Де тут найкраща кав'ярня?

   De tut nay-KRASH-cha kav-YAR-nya?

   Where is the best café here?

   Usage

   Used to find the best local café. Ukraine has a thriving coffee culture

   Grammar Note

   "Кав'ярня" derives from "кава" (coffee). Ukraine's café culture is especially famous in Lviv, called the "coffee capital"

5. Я б хотів спробувати місцеве пиво

   Ya b kho-TIV spro-bu-VA-ty mis-TSE-ve PY-vo

   I would like to try the local beer

   Usage

   Used to order locally brewed beer. Masculine form; females say "хотіла"

   Grammar Note

   "Я б хотів + infinitive" is the conditional for "I would like to." Ukraine has brands like Chernihivske beer

6. Чи є безалкогольні напої?

   Chy ye bez-al-ko-HOL-ni na-POI?

   Are there any non-alcoholic drinks?

   Usage

   Used by non-drinkers to ask about soft drink options

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "без-" means "without." The adjective "безалкогольний" agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case

7. Принесіть мені ще одну каву, будь ласка

   pry-ne-SIT me-NI shche OD-nu KA-vu, bud LAS-ka

   Please bring me another coffee

   Usage

   Used to ask for a refill or another cup of coffee

   Grammar Note

   "Кава" (coffee) is feminine, so "одну" (one) takes the feminine form. In Ukrainian, noun gender affects adjective forms

8. Що ви рекомендуєте з традиційних напоїв?

   Shcho vy re-ko-men-DU-ye-te z tra-dy-TSIY-nykh na-POI-v?

   What traditional drinks do you recommend?

   Usage

   Used to ask staff for recommendations on traditional Ukrainian beverages

   Grammar Note

   "З + genitive plural" indicates selection from a category. Traditional Ukrainian drinks include uzvar, kvass, horilka, and varenukha

9. Будь ласка, воду без газу

   Bud LAS-ka, VO-du bez HA-zu

   Still water, please

   Usage

   Used to order still (non-sparkling) mineral water

   Grammar Note

   "Без + genitive" means "without." Sparkling water is "з газом" (газована вода). Water is often charged in Ukrainian restaurants

10. Чи можна спробувати варенуху?

    Chy MOZH-na spro-bu-VA-ty va-re-NU-khu?

    Can I try varenukha (spiced hot drink)?

    Usage

    Used to request a taste of varenukha, a traditional Ukrainian hot spiced drink

    Grammar Note

    "Чи можна + infinitive" is an impersonal structure for "may I / can one." Varenukha is horilka warmed with herbs and dried fruits

11. Гострий

    Hostryi

    Spicy (hot to the tongue)

    Usage

    Chilli-hot. "Гострий" also means "sharp" (as of a knife), so always point at the food while showing it

12. Солодкий

    Solodkyi

    Sweet

    Usage

    Used to check whether a drink or dish is sweet

13. Сирий

    Syryi

    Raw (uncooked)

    Usage

    Uncooked. "Сирий" can also mean "damp", so point at the food while showing it

14. Без льоду

    Bez lodu

    No ice

    Usage

    Ask for a drink without ice, e.g. when unsure about the water

15. Вода без газу

    Voda bez hazu

    Still water

    Usage

    Sparkling water is often the default in Ukraine; this specifies still ("з газом" is sparkling)

16. Окріп

    Okrip

    Boiling water

    Usage

    Ask for boiling water for instant noodles or tea; lukewarm water is "тепла вода"

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