Food & Drinks

1. Я візьму це

   Ya viz-mu tse

   I will take this

   Usage

   Used when pointing at a menu item to order

   Grammar Note

   First person future of "взяти" (to take). "Принесіть, будь ласка" (please bring) is also used for ordering.

2. Дуже смачно

   Du-zhe smach-no

   Very delicious

   Usage

   Compliment used when food tastes good

   Grammar Note

   Predicative adverb of "смачний" (delicious). "Смачного!" is the Ukrainian equivalent of "bon appétit".

3. Рахунок, будь ласка

   Ra-khu-nok, bud las-ka

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Used to request the bill after a meal

   Grammar Note

   "рахунок" means "account, bill". A handy phrase for cafes and restaurants in Ukraine.

4. Склянку води, будь ласка

   Skly-an-ku vo-dy, bud las-ka

   A glass of water, please

   Usage

   Used to request a glass of water at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "склянка" (glass) takes accusative "склянку". "води" is genitive of "вода" (water). Ukrainian has noun cases.

5. У мене алергія на горіхи

   U me-ne a-ler-hi-ya na ho-ri-khy

   I have a nut allergy

   Usage

   Important phrase to communicate food allergies

   Grammar Note

   Ukrainian possession "у + genitive + є". Swap "горіхи" (nuts) for other allergens as needed.

6. Принесіть меню, будь ласка

   Pry-ne-sit me-nyu, bud las-ka

   Please bring the menu

   Usage

   Requesting a menu at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Polite imperative of "принести" (to bring). "Меню" is a French-origin indeclinable noun — its form never changes.

7. Я вегетаріанець / вегетаріанка

   Ya ve-he-ta-ri-a-nets / ve-he-ta-ri-an-ka

   I am a vegetarian (male/female)

   Usage

   Communicating dietary restrictions at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Ukrainian profession/identity nouns differ by gender: masculine "-ець", feminine "-ка". Always match your own gender.

8. Що ви порекомендуєте?

   Shcho vy po-re-ko-men-du-ye-te?

   What do you recommend?

   Usage

   Asking a waiter or staff for their food recommendation

   Grammar Note

   Perfective future second person plural of "порекомендувати" (to recommend). "ви" serves as the polite singular "you" in Ukrainian.

9. Варенички — моя улюблена страва

   Va-re-ny-chky — mo-ya u-lyub-le-na stra-va

   Varenyky are my favourite dish

   Usage

   Expressing love for varenyky, Ukraine's beloved dumplings

   Grammar Note

   "Варенички" is the affectionate diminutive of "вареники". Ukraine's national dish — dumplings stuffed with potato, cherry, cottage cheese, or sauerkraut.

10. Ще трохи борщу, будь ласка

    Shche tro-khy bor-shchu, bud las-ka

    A little more borscht, please

    Usage

    Asking for more of Ukraine's iconic beet soup

    Grammar Note

    "борщу" is the genitive of "борщ" after quantity word "трохи". Borscht is Ukrainian in origin and was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022.

11. Варений рис

    Varenyi rys

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Order cooked rice; uncooked rice is also "рис", so "варений" (boiled) keeps it clear

12. Хліб

    Khlib

    Bread

    Usage

    Order bread, or check whether a dish comes with it

13. Локшина

    Lokshyna

    Noodles

    Usage

    Noodles; Italian-style pasta is called "макарони"

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