What are some essential words for describing family members in Ukrainian

Learn Essential Ukrainian Vocabulary for Beginners – A1 Level: What are some essential words for describing family members in Ukrainian

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To describe family members in Ukrainian, there is a rich vocabulary that covers both immediate and extended family relationships. Here are some essential terms:

Immediate Family

Сім’я (sim’ya) or Родина (rodyna) – Family
Батьки (bat’ky) – Parents
Мати (maty) or Мама (mama) – Mother
Батько (bat’ko) or Тато (tato) – Father
Син (syn) – Son
Дочка (dočka) – Daughter
Брат (brat) – Brother
Сестра (sestra) – Sister
Діти (dity) – Children

Grandparents and Grandchildren

Бабуся (babusya) or Баба (baba) – Grandmother
Дідусь (didus’) or Дідо (dido) – Grandfather
Онуки (onuky) – Grandchildren
- Внук (vnuk) – Grandson
- Внучка (vnučka) – Granddaughter

Extended Family

Дядько (dyad’ko) – Uncle
- In Western Ukraine:
  - Стрий (stryj) – Paternal uncle
  - Вуйко (vuyko) – Maternal uncle
Тітка (titka) – Aunt
- In Western Ukraine:
  - Стрийна – Paternal aunt
  - Вуйна – Maternal aunt
Двоюрідний брат (dvoyuridnyy brat) – Male cousin
Двоюрідна сестра (dvoyuridna sestra) – Female cousin
Племінник (pleminnyk) – Nephew
Племінниця (pleminnytsya) – Niece

In-Laws and Specific Relations

Чоловік (cholovik) – Husband
Дружина (druzhyna) – Wife
Свекор (svekor) – Father-in-law (husband’s father)
Свекруха (svekrukha) – Mother-in-law (husband’s mother)
Тесть (test’) – Father-in-law (wife’s father)
Теща (teshcha) – Mother-in-law (wife’s mother)
Шурин (shuryn) or Швагер – Brother-in-law
Своячка or Невістка – Sister-in-law

These terms reflect not only the relationships but also the cultural nuances of Ukrainian family dynamics. For example, in Western Ukraine, there are distinctions between maternal and paternal uncles and aunts. Understanding these words can help you navigate conversations about family in Ukrainian more effectively.

References

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