Ukrainian business culture leans formal. If you're used to casual chats, adjust. Here's what you need to know.
Basic Professional Greetings
Добрий день
[ˈdɔbrei̯ ˈdɛnʲ]“Good day”
Standard formal greeting. Use from late morning until early evening.
Доброго ранку
[ˈdɔbrɔɦɔ ˈrankʊ]“Good morning”
Morning-specific greeting. Switch to 'Добрий день' by 11AM.
До побачення
[dɔ pɔˈbat͡ʃenʲːɐ]“Goodbye”
The only professional farewell you need. Forget casual alternatives.
Meeting Essentials
Презентація
[prezenˈtat͡sʲijɐ]“Presentation”
Pronounced differently than the Russian version. Stress the 'tɑ' syllable.
Порядок денний
/poˈrʲɑdok ˈdɛnːɪj/“Agenda”
Literally 'order of the day'. Always have one.
Рішення
[ˈrʲiʃenʲːɐ]“Decision”
What meetings theoretically produce. Often in short supply.
Email Phrases
Шановний/Шановна
/ʃɑˈnɔu̯nɪj/ /ʃɑˈnɔu̯nɑ/“Dear (Mr./Ms.)”
Formal email opener. Gender-specific - don't mix them up.
З повагою
/z poˈvɑɦoju/“Sincerely”
Standard email closer. No creative alternatives needed.
Додаток
[dɔˈdatɔk]“Attachment”
What you forget to include half the time.
Negotiation Terms
Угода
[ʊˈɦɔdɐ]“Agreement”
The goal. Often preceded by hours of posturing.
Компроміс
[kɔmproˈmʲis]“Compromise”
What both sides pretend to want while holding out for more.
Умови
[ʊˈmɔʋe]“Terms”
The fine print everyone skims. Don't be that person.
Corporate Jargon
КПЕ
/ka pe ɛ/“KPI”
Key Performance Indicator. Pronounced letter-by-letter in Ukrainian.
Бізнес-процес
/ˈbiznes proˈt͡sɛs/“Business process”
What consultants get paid to overcomplicate.
Стратегія
[strɐˈtɛɦʲijɐ]“Strategy”
Fancy word for 'plan'. Often lacks execution.
Pro tip: Ukrainian business etiquette values directness. Skip the small talk in emails. Get to the point.
Need more casual phrases? See our guide on Ukrainian slang for travelers. Just don't use those in the office.
