Learning a new language is like unlocking a whole new dimension of cultural experiences. If you’re diving into Ukrainian, knowing the formal language is incredibly important, but so is getting a hang of the slang young people use. Slang can offer insights into contemporary culture, recent trends, and informal communication among youths. Here, we introduce some Ukrainian slang terms that are popular among young people.

Зашквар
Zashkvar is a term borrowed from Russian that signifies something shameful or embarrassing, often used to describe actions or events that are cringeworthy.
Той парень поводився так, що це був повний зашквар.

Чілити
Chiliti is a loanword from the English “chill” and means to relax or hang out. This reflects moments where you’re taking a break from the hustle or simply enjoying leisure time with friends.
Хочеш у п’ятницю прийти до мене чілити?

Кайф
Kaiyf describes a feeling of pleasure or a sensation of intense enjoyment, similar to the word “buzz” in English. It can refer to experiencing anything very pleasurable.
Від цієї музики такий кайф!

Прівєт
Privet, another term borrowed from Russian, is a casual greeting akin to “hi” or “hey,” which has been adopted widely in Ukrainian casual speech.
Прівєт, як справи?

Гудити
Guditi is a verb that means hanging out or partying hard. It’s often used when referring to a social event or celebration, suggesting lively and noisy activities.
В суботу будемо гудити на дачі.

Багатофункціональний
Bagatofunktsionalnyi is an adjective that means multifunctional or versatile. While not strictly slang, the younger generation uses it humorously to describe someone who is good at multitasking or doing different things.
Твій новий смартфон дійсно багатофункціональний!

Паляниця
Palianytsia specifically refers to a traditional Ukrainian bread, but in slang, it’s often used to refer to money, akin to the English slang “dough” or “bread.”
Не можу піти з тобою в кіно, у мене немає паляниці.

Муть
Mut’ is something unclear, messy, or shady. The term can be applied to situations, events, and even people’s behavior.
Ця ситуація – повна муть, нічого не зрозуміло.

Файно
Fayno is an optimistic term equivalent to the English “great” or “nice.” It can be used to express approval or to describe something positively.
Погода сьогодні просто файно.

Кльово
Klyovo is synonymous with “cool” or “awesome” and is used to express enthusiasm or admiration for something.
Він прийшов на вечірку у дуже кльовій куртці.

By understanding and using these slang terms, you’ll not only enrich your Ukrainian vocabulary but also get closer to sounding like a local when conversing with young Ukrainians. Whether you’re planning to visit Ukraine or simply looking to improve your command of the language from afar, embracing the informal lingo is an essential step in your language-learning journey. Remember, practice makes perfect, and adopting these words can be a fun way to spice up your conversations!