Own Cyrillic alphabet
Ukrainian has letters and sound values that cannot simply be translated according to Russian rules.
East Slavic language
Have Ukrainian translated
українська мова
Ukrainian is an independent 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; Due to migration, large communities exist in many European countries.
Geographical distribution of Ukrainian
- Main distribution
- Other regional use
- Selected Diaspora
Ukraine
Poland
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Germany
Canada
Schematic selection of important distribution areas. Language usage does not always follow national borders; the map is not complete population statistics.
Language profile
Ukrainian at a glance
- Proper name
- українська мова
- language family
- East Slavic language
- font
- Cyrillic alphabet
- Language code
- uk
Documents and deployment
The language direction is often used
It's not just the language that matters. ABBA-Sprachendienste also classifies document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirement and desired language direction.
Have the document checked- Birth and marriage certificates
- School certificates and university certificates
- Residence and registration documents
- Employment and social documents
- Powers of attorney and court documents
Origin and development
How language developed
Ukrainian developed within the East Slavic language area and has historical connections to Ruthenian writing traditions. The modern literary language was particularly formed in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The language uses its own Cyrillic alphabet with letters such as ґ, є, і and ї. Political restrictions and changing territories have had a strong influence on the history of documents and language.
Good to know
What makes this language special
Match transliteration
Official Ukrainian transcriptions and German passport spellings may differ from each other; Existing identity documents are decisive.
Multilingual old documents
Older documents may also contain Russian, Polish, Hungarian or Romanian entries.
A little language insight
Three first expressions
The transcription only serves as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transcription | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Добрий день | Dobryi den | Good afternoon |
| Дякую | Diakuiu | Thank you |
| Будь ласка | Bud laska | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide values and may vary depending on the definition, year of survey and inclusion of second language speakers.
- 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 standardized language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and area names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial source status: July 14, 2026. Information will be cross-checked before production goes live.
Other related service languages
Ukrainian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ukrainian
Can I have Ukrainian translated into German and German translated into Ukrainian?
Both directions can be requested. A binding commitment is made after checking the type of document, subject area, certification, date and intended use.
Which documents are often relevant when speaking Ukrainian?
Birth and marriage certificates, school certificates and university certificates, residence and registration documents, work and social documents are among the typical occasions. Other types of documents can also be checked with an easy-to-read photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste pay attention to when speaking Ukrainian?
The language direction, document type, Cyrillic alphabet, names, stamps, subject area, purpose and possible need for certification are checked.
Do I need a certified translation for my Ukrainian document?
This is decided by the receiving authority, the court, the notary or the other requesting body. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be presented; then the need can be classified appropriately.
Is a photo enough for the first check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and easy-to-read photo or PDF is usually sufficient to check the offer. Depending on the order, the original may also be required for later execution.
Have Ukrainian ↔ German tested specifically
Send an easy-to-read photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste personally checks the language direction, document, purpose and certification requirements.
