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Questions & Answers about У нас є спільний проєкт.
What does У нас signify in this sentence?
У нас literally translates to “at us” and is used to indicate possession. In this context, it functions like “we have” in English.
Why is the verb є used here instead of a form directly equivalent to English “have”?
In Ukrainian, possession is commonly expressed with the construction У [possessor] є [object]. The verb є (meaning “exists”) is used instead of a direct equivalent of “have” (like мати) to indicate that something exists with or belongs to someone.
How do the words спільний проєкт function in this sentence?
Спільний is an adjective meaning “joint” or “shared,” and проєкт is a noun meaning “project.” Together, they form the phrase that means “joint project” or “common project.”
Is it possible to express the same idea using a different sentence structure in Ukrainian?
Yes, you could also say Ми маємо спільний проєкт, which directly translates to “We have a joint project.” However, the У нас є спільний проєкт construction is more idiomatic and commonly used.
Are there any special pronunciation or spelling details to note, particularly regarding the letter є?
Yes, the letter є is pronounced roughly like “ye” in English, as in “yes.” When used as the standalone verb in У нас є and as part of the word проєкт, it helps distinguish the correct pronunciation and adheres to Ukrainian orthographic rules.
What is the word order of this sentence, and is it typical for expressing possession in Ukrainian?
The sentence follows the pattern У [possessor] є [object] (“At us is [object]”). This order is common in Ukrainian for indicating possession and differs from the typical English subject-verb-object order.