Ukrainian slang can make the difference between sounding like a clueless tourist and blending in with the locals. Whether you're haggling at a market or chatting in a bar, these words will help you navigate everyday conversations with ease.
Basic Ukrainian Slang for Everyday Use
Шариш
/ˈʃɑrɪʃ/“Got it? / Understand?”
A casual way to check if someone understands what you're saying. Similar to 'get it?' in English.
Норм
/norm/“Fine / Okay”
Short for 'нормально' (normal), used to say something is fine or acceptable. 'Як справи?' 'Норм.' ('How are you?' 'Fine.')
Фігня
[fʲiɦˈnʲa]“Nonsense / Rubbish”
A dismissive term for something unimportant or untrue. 'Це все фігня' means 'That’s all rubbish.'
Slang for Food and Drinks
Жрачка
/ˈʒrɑt͡ʃkɑ/“Grub / Food”
A casual, slightly crude way to refer to food. Best used with friends, not in formal settings.
Бухло
[bʊˈxɫɔ]“Booze”
Slang for alcohol. 'Пішли за бухлом?' means 'Shall we go for some booze?'
Warning: Some slang terms, like 'бухло', are very informal. Use them only in relaxed, familiar company.
Money and Bargaining
Башли
/ˈbɑʃɫɪ/“Cash / Money”
A slang term for money. 'Ти маєш башли?' means 'Do you have cash?'
Гроші
[ɦrɔʃ]“Money”
The standard word for money, but often used in slang contexts too. 'Де мої гроші?' ('Where’s my money?')
Expressions of Surprise or Frustration
Йо-йо
/jo jo/“Wow / No way”
An exclamation of surprise, similar to 'wow' or 'no way'. 'Йо-йо, це неймовірно!' ('Wow, that’s unbelievable!')
Тьху
[tʲxu]“Ugh / Damn”
An expression of frustration or disappointment. 'Тьху, знову дощ!' ('Ugh, rain again!')
Slang for People
Чувак
[t͡ʃʊˈʋak]“Dude”
A casual term for a guy, similar to 'dude'. 'Чувак, ти де?' ('Dude, where are you?')
Тьолка
[ˈtʲɔɫkɐ]“Girl / Chick”
A slang term for a girl, though it can be slightly derogatory depending on context. Best used cautiously.
Some slang terms for people can be context-dependent. 'Тьолка' might offend if used carelessly.
Internet and Texting Slang
Лол
/ɫɔɫ/“LOL”
The same as 'LOL' in English, used to indicate laughter in texts or online chats.
Ок
/ɔk/“OK”
Just like in English, 'ок' is a quick way to say 'okay' in texts or casual speech.
For more on texting slang, check out our guide on Bulgarian Internet Slang.
Final Tips
- Slang varies by region. Kyiv slang might differ from Lviv slang.
- Use informal terms with people you know well to avoid awkwardness.
- If in doubt, stick to standard Ukrainian - it’s always safe.
Want to learn more about how Ukrainian slang evolves? Read our article on The Evolution of Ukrainian Youth Language.
