A distinct Cyrillic alphabet
Ukrainian has letters and sound values that must not simply be transliterated according to Russian rules.
East Slavic language
Have Ukrainian translated
українська мова
Ukrainian is a distinct East Slavic language. For official translations, the original Ukrainian form and the Latin spelling of names already used in passports are crucial.
Ukrainian is spoken by approximately 35 to 40 million people; migration has also created large communities in many European countries.
Geographical distribution of Ukrainian
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Ukraine
Poland
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Germany
Canada
A schematic selection of the main areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders, and the map does not show complete population statistics.
Language profile
Ukrainian at a glance
- Native name
- українська мова
- Language family
- East Slavic language
- Script
- Cyrillic alphabet
- Language code
- uk
Documents and areas of use
Common uses for this language combination
It is not just about the language. ABBA-Sprachendienste also takes into account the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and the language combination you need.
Have your document checked- Birth and marriage certificates
- School and university records
- Residence and registration documents
- Employment and social-security documents
- Powers of attorney and court documents
Origin and development
How the language developed
Ukrainian developed within the East Slavic language area and has historical links to Ruthenian writing traditions. The modern literary language took shape particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The language uses its own Cyrillic alphabet, with letters such as ґ, є, і and ї. Political restrictions and shifting borders have had a major influence on its linguistic and documentary history.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Check the transliteration
Official Ukrainian transliteration and the spellings used in German passports may differ; existing identity documents take precedence.
Older multilingual documents
Older documents may also contain entries in Russian, Polish, Hungarian or Romanian.
A glimpse of the language
Three phrases to start with
The transliteration is only a rough guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may differ.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Добрий день | Dobryi den | Good day |
| Дякую | Diakuiu | Thank you |
| Будь ласка | Bud laska | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide figures and may vary depending on the definition, the year of the survey and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Ukrainian language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources as of 14 July 2026. The information will be cross-checked by subject experts before the website goes live.
Other related service languages
Ukrainian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ukrainian
Can I have Ukrainian translated into German and German into Ukrainian?
You can request either direction. We give a binding commitment once we have checked the document type, subject area, certification, appointment and intended use.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Ukrainian?
Birth and marriage certificates, school and university records, residence and registration documents, and employment and social-security records are common examples. Other types of document can also be assessed from a clear photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Ukrainian documents?
We check the language direction, document type, use of the Cyrillic alphabet, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and whether certification may be required.
Do I need a certified translation for my Ukrainian document?
That is decided by the authority, court or notary receiving the document, or by whichever other office has requested it. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted, so that your requirements can be assessed properly.
Is a photo enough for the initial check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually enough for us to check your request and prepare a quote. Depending on the job, the original may also be needed later, when the work is carried out.
Have a Ukrainian ↔ German request assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally check the language combination, document, intended use and whether certification is needed.
