…
Questions & Answers about Комп’ютер швидкий.
Why is there no word for “is” in the sentence?
In Ukrainian, the verb “to be” (іноді expressed as “є”) is typically omitted in present-tense sentences. The absence of an explicit verb doesn’t affect the meaning; it’s simply understood that Комп’ютер швидкий means “The computer is fast.”
How does the adjective швидкий agree with the noun Комп’ютер?
In Ukrainian, adjectives must agree with their nouns in gender, number, and case. Here, Комп’ютер is a masculine singular noun in the nominative case, so the adjective швидкий is also in the masculine singular nominative form.
Why is there no article (like “the”) before Комп’ютер?
Ukrainian, like many Slavic languages, does not have articles. There’s no equivalent of the English “a” or “the” in Ukrainian, so context alone determines definiteness.
What is the purpose of the apostrophe in Комп’ютер?
The apostrophe in words like Комп’ютер signals that the preceding consonant (п) should not be softened before the following vowel. It helps clarify pronunciation, especially in borrowed words, by indicating that the typical palatalization does not occur.
Would including the copula “є” change the sentence, and is it acceptable to do so?
Yes, you can include the copula to form Комп’ютер є швидкий, though it is less common in casual speech. The omission in the original sentence is standard practice in Ukrainian present-tense statements. Including “є” might add a formal tone but doesn’t change the overall meaning.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Ukrainian grammar?”
Ukrainian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning UkrainianMaster Ukrainian — from Комп’ютер швидкий to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions