Indulgences

10 phrases · Ukrainian with romanization, English and audio

  1. Горілка

    Horilka

    Horilka (Ukrainian vodka)

    Usage

    A grain spirit, normally 40 percent. It also has an older name, okovyta. Some areas restrict night-time alcohol sales, so check the hours at the shop

  2. Перцівка

    Pertsivka

    Pertsivka (pepper-infused horilka)

    Usage

    A bitter nastoianka infused with hot red pepper; it is horilka steeped on pepper. Sweetened versions with honey also exist

  3. Медовуха

    Medovukha

    Medovukha (honey drink)

    Usage

    Caution: the strength varies a lot. The word is used both for pytnyi med, a low-alcohol fermented mead, and for a nastoianka of horilka steeped on honey. Ask the strength before ordering

  4. Варенуха

    Varenukha

    Varenukha (honey and dried fruit spirit)

    Usage

    It is horilka boiled with honey and dried fruit and berries. Usually served warm, and made anywhere from non-alcoholic to strong. Also called varena or zapikanka

  5. Спотикач

    Spotykach

    Spotykach (spiced spirit, about 30%)

    Usage

    A spirit steeped on nutmeg and spices at 30 percent alcohol. The name comes from the verb for stumbling

  6. Наливка

    Nalyvka

    Nalyvka (fruit liqueur)

    Usage

    A sweet liqueur steeped on berries or fruit, originally home-made; the official range is 15 to 35 percent. Individual kinds have their own names, such as vyshnivka from cherries

  7. Пиво

    Pyvo

    Beer

    Usage

    Draught is rozlyvne pyvo, a bottle is pliashka, a can is banka. Ask for temne for dark or svitle for pale

  8. Вино

    Vyno

    Wine

    Usage

    Ask for chervone red, bile white, rozheve rosé or ihryste sparkling. Sukhe is dry and napivsolodke is medium sweet

  9. Сигарети

    Syharety

    Cigarettes

    Usage

    They are kept behind closed cabinet doors at the till, so you have to name the brand or just ask for a pack. You may be asked for ID. The singular is syhareta

  10. Кальян

    Kalian

    Hookah (shisha)

    Usage

    A pipe that cools the smoke through water. Not every venue offers it, so check before you take a table

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