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Do Ukrainians Say Da or Tak?

Published in Ukrainian Language 1 min read

Ukrainians primarily say "так" (tak) when responding with "yes."

Understanding "Yes" in Ukrainian

In the Ukrainian language, the word for "yes" is "так" (pronounced tak). It is a fundamental and frequently used word in everyday communication. Ukrainian is a distinct East Slavic language with its own unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation rules.

"Da" vs. "Tak": A Linguistic Distinction

While "так" is the Ukrainian word for "yes," the word "да" (da) is the equivalent in the Russian language. Both Ukrainian and Russian are East Slavic languages, and while they share some similarities and loanwords, they are distinct and have different primary vocabulary for common responses.

It's common for individuals who speak both Ukrainian and Russian, or who are learning one while familiar with the other, to sometimes instinctively use "да" when speaking Ukrainian, or "так" when speaking Russian. This highlights the clear difference between the two words and their association with their respective languages.

To clarify the distinction:

Language Word for "Yes" Pronunciation
Ukrainian Так tak
Russian Да da

Key Takeaway

To correctly say "yes" in Ukrainian, use "так" (tak). While "да" (da) is a familiar sound to many due to the widespread use of Russian, "так" is the authentic Ukrainian equivalent.