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
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Ukrainian at a glance
- Native name
- українська мова
- Language family
- East Slavic language
- Script
- Cyrillic alphabet
- Language code
- uk
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- 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 brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| 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 estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year 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 current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Other related service languages
Ukrainian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ukrainian
Can I have Ukrainian translated into German and German into Ukrainian?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
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?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Have a Ukrainian ↔ German request assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
