Each Ukrainian verb has six forms in the present tense, one for each of the subject pronouns (1st, 2nd and 3rd persons, singular and plural). By looking at the ending of the verb we can tell the person and the number of the verb. This is called verb conjugation.
The Ukrainian Present tense is formed by adding personal Present tense endings to the stem of the verb.
Verbs are divided into two groups: first conjugation and second conjugation:
First conjugation
Most verbs which infinitives end in –ати, –яти, –вати.
In this type the ending –ти is dropped from the infinitive to derive the stem.
Second conjugation
Verbs which infinitives that end in –ити, –іти, –їти
In this type the ending –ити is dropped from the infinitive to derive the stem.
- Я читаю журнал. – I’m reading a magazine.
- Ми вчимо українську мову. – We are learning the Ukrainian language.
- Ми знаємо багато. – We know a lot.
List of useful verbs
- читати – to read
- писати – to write
- знати – to know
- вчити – to learn, study
- робити – to do
- працювати – to work
- мати – to have
- говорити – to speak
- слухати – to listen
- бачити – to see
- розуміти – to understand
- пам’ятати – to remember
- відчувати – to feel
- жити – to live
- хотіти – to want
- любити – to love
- знайомитися – to be acquainted
- грати – to play
- відкривати – to open
- закривати – to close
Exercises:
Put the verbs below into the person indicated in brackets
- Я (говорити).
- Ти (слухати).
- Він (знати).
- Ми не (розуміти).
- Вона (бачити).
- Ви (пам’ятати).
- Діти (грати).
- Він (знайомитися).
- Шо ти (робити)?
- Я (працювати)
- I am saying.
- You are listening.
- He knows.
- We do not understand.
- She sees.
- You remember.
- The children are playing.
- He is getting acquainted.
- What are you doing?
- I’m working.
This course course will help you to start learning Ukrainian in easy and convenient way. You will learn how to read in Ukrainian and understand spoken language, learn basic grammar, vocabulary and useful phrases.
All materials (vocabulary lists, grammar explanation, texts, dialogues, audios, tests and practice exercises with answers) are on our website, so you can access them whenever you want.