Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Сім'я завжди підтримує мене, коли я зустрічаю труднощі. - Family always supports me when I face difficulties.

The apostrophe in Сім'я indicates a pronunciation peculiarity in Ukrainian. It shows that the consonant preceding the apostrophe should be pronounced hard rather than being palatalized before the following vowel. This is a standard orthographic feature in Ukrainian to ensure correct pronunciation.

Why is Сім'я paired with the singular form of the verb підтримує even though it refers to a group?

In Ukrainian, the word Сім'я is a collective noun that, despite representing a group of individuals, is treated as grammatically singular. This is why the verb підтримує is conjugated in the third person singular form to agree with its singular subject.

What is the grammatical role of мене in the sentence?

Мене is the direct object of the verb підтримує. It is the accusative form of the personal pronoun я, used here to indicate who is being supported by the subject.

How does the subordinate clause коли я зустрічаю труднощі function within the sentence?

The subordinate clause коли я зустрічаю труднощі is introduced by the conjunction коли (meaning "when") and provides the condition under which the main action occurs. It explains that the family supports the speaker specifically at the times when difficulties arise. The comma before the subordinate clause follows Ukrainian punctuation rules for complex sentences.

What verb tense and aspect is used in зустрічаю, and why is it appropriate here?

Зустрічаю is in the first-person singular present tense and is formed in the imperfective aspect. The imperfective aspect is used to describe ongoing, habitual, or repeated actions. In this context, it indicates that encountering difficulties is a recurring situation, making the aspect appropriate for expressing the intended meaning.