As Ukraine approaches one of its most significant dates — Independence Day of Ukraine (ДЕНЬ НЕЗАЛЕЖНОСТІ УКРАЇНИ) on August 24 — we’ve chosen 15 words that define Ukraine today: its people, culture, and everyday life. These words have carried deep meaning for generations of Ukrainians, reflected in literature and folk traditions, and they resonate even more powerfully in 2025.
As many of these words belong to the third declension of Ukrainian nouns, we’ve also prepared a brief grammar guide on it.
1. Боротьба — fight
Probably one of the first nouns that comes to mind when thinking about Ukraine today. БОРОТЬБА at the zero line, in trenches, shelters, evacuation vehicles, at homes, in hospitals, classrooms, and maternity houses, at negotiation tables and in people’s minds.
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2. Відвага — courage
An indispensable quality that makes the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ЗБРОЙНІ СИЛИ УКРАЇНИ) bravely take up arms against a powerful aggressor, risking their lives — while civilians daily stand and speak up for their rights, shared values, and goals on the home front.
3. Незламність — invincibility
Proven over the years — daily attacks, heavy losses, terror, and countless hardships cannot break Ukraine — its people still hold arms with determination, get up every morning, go to work, study, create families, write books, make music, start businesses, and stay at home despite everything.
4. Героїзм — heroism
The most famous Ukrainian motto, ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ (СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ) is followed by ‘Glory to Heroes!’ (ГЕРОЯМ СЛАВА) — it is over a hundred years old and reflects the huge lasting role of heroism in Ukrainian history and culture, especially visible today.
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5. Воля, свобода — freedom, liberty
Praised by countless Ukrainian poets, writers, philosophers, and ordinary people, these two synonyms — ВОЛЯ and СВОБОДА— represent a core Ukrainian value that has driven generations to fight for sovereignty and is even embedded in the national coat of arms.
6. Гідність — dignity
The quality that makes Ukrainians insist on respect and fairness in every aspect of their life — from everyday interactions to the battlefield and global politics.
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7. Спротив — resistance
Obedience and passivity are not part of the Ukrainian character — if something is wrong, we resist and strive to change it. Some of the most recent examples — the Orange Revolution (ПОМАРАНЧЕВА РЕВОЛЮЦІЯ), the Revolution of Dignity (РЕВОЛЮЦІЯ ГІДНОСТІ), and numerous smaller protests.
8. Незалежність — independence
Independence lies in the heart of Ukraine’s spirit — a treasure won by generations of talented Ukrainians and paid for with immense sacrifice. НЕЗАЛЕЖНІСТЬ is the most precious national value, cherished and vigorously protected by millions today — the right to decide our own destiny and be masters on our own land.
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9. Самобутність — cultural uniqueness
A vital part of any nation, САМОБУТНІСТЬ is actively explored and cherished by Ukrainians today — from reviving ancient traditions to wearing traditional outfits in daily life.
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10. Пам’ять — memory
Nowadays, Ukrainians talk more and more about ПАМ’ЯТЬ: about heroes, their feats, and sacrifices, and the importance of honoring them and preserving their legacy in the national memory.
11. Єдність — unity
One of the synonyms of Ukraine at these hard times — ЄДНІСТЬ, despite any differences, for the sake of the shared goal — a peaceful and prosperous future.
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12. Стійкість, витривалість — resilience, endurance
Today, Ukraine is one of the symbols of СТІЙКІСТЬ — its endurance and devotion has already surprised the world and keeps doing that.
13. Надія — hope
If you’ve seen a white-and-black flag next to the Ukrainian flag, it is the recently introduced flag of НАДІЯ. Until the last prisoner of war returns home, it will flutter in places like train stations, symbolizing undying hope and faith even in the darkest times.
14. Самовідданість — selflessness, devotion
As volunteering has become part of everyday routine for many Ukrainians, САМОВІДДАНІСТЬ has taken on a new meaning today — unwavering support and trust, a reliable home front, and dedication to the common goal — all by prioritizing the collective over the personal in the midst of hardship.
15. Любов — love
The quality that binds and holds everything together, giving meaning and value to life. ЛЮБОВ for your family and loved ones, for your culture and language, but especially for your homeland, which is central to a huge part of Ukrainian arts, literature, music, etc.
In Episode 38 of 5 Minute Ukrainian series, Anna explains the small but important differences between Ukrainian words for love, like любов and кохання, любити and кохати… and more!
Third Declension of Nouns in Ukrainian
As you may already know, Ukrainian nouns are divided into four declensions, depending on their gender and ending. In today’s article, we discussed many nouns of the third declension — so let’s break it down!
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A noun belongs to the third declension if:
- it is feminine;
- it ends with a consonant (hard or soft) + the noun МАТИ (mother).
Unlike most feminine nouns in Ukrainian, which end with -а and fall under the first declension, third-declension nouns end with a consonant. That’s why they can sometimes be mistaken for masculine nouns at first glance.
For example:
- НІЧ (night);
- ПІЧ (stove);
- ЧЕСТЬ (honor);
- many nouns from our selection above — НЕЗЛАМНІСТЬ (invincibility), ГІДНІСТЬ (dignity), НЕЗАЛЕЖНІСТЬ (independence), etc.
When declined, these nouns take special endings.
A small but important nuance is that many of them also undergo vowel alternations. For example, many abstract nouns with the suffix -ість — several of which we discussed above — change і to о in most cases:
- nominative: єдність (unity)
- genitive: єдності or єдности
- dative: єдності
- accusative: єдність
- instrumental: єдністю
- locative: на єдності
- vocative: єдносте
In Ukrainian, cases mean that the endings of nouns, adjectives, and related words change. Start exploring cases today and take your Ukrainian to the next level!
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Today’s 15 words show what Ukraine stands for — fight, freedom, unity, love, and many more meaningful nouns. They remind us that Ukraine’s independence is expressed not only in history, but also in words, ideas, and values that remain so relevant today.
And since words go hand in hand with grammar, we’ve also looked at the third declension of Ukrainian nouns — many of which are those mighty words that define Ukraine now.
Learning Ukrainian and looking for great resources? Check out our list of 1000 most common words in Ukrainian with interactive flashcards. You can also learn Ukrainian step by step wherever you are with our free Ukrainian Lessons Podcast.
