Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Медитація допомагає мені зосередитися на важливих справах. - Meditation helps me concentrate on important matters.

“Менi” is in the dative case, which in Ukrainian is used to indicate the beneficiary of an action. In this sentence, it shows that meditation is helping “me.”

Why does the verb “допомагає” take the infinitive “зосередитися” afterward?

In Ukrainian, a construction expressing assistance—similar to “helps me to…” in English—is formed by using a main verb (допомагає) followed by an infinitive (зосередитися) that describes the action being aided.

What is the role of the phrase “на важливих справах,” and what case is it in?

“На важливих справах” is a prepositional phrase that specifies the area or matters on which the subject should focus. The noun “справах” and its modifying adjective “важливих” are in the locative (or prepositional) case, which is commonly used in Ukrainian with the preposition “на” to indicate the domain of an action.

Why is the adjective form “важливих” used instead of “важливі” in this phrase?

Although the nominative plural of “важливий” is “важливі,” adjectives must agree with the noun in case, number, and gender. Since “справах” is in the locative case (required by the preposition “на”), the adjective takes the locative plural form “важливих.”

What does the reflexive suffix in “зосередитися” indicate in this context?

The reflexive suffix “-ся” in “зосередитися” indicates that the action of concentrating is directed back at the subject. It shows that the subject is performing the action on itself, a common feature in Ukrainian reflexive verbs.

What is the grammatical subject of this sentence, and how does its form influence the verb?

The subject is “Медитація” (meditation), a feminine singular noun. This directly influences the verb form “допомагає,” which is in the third person singular, ensuring correct subject–verb agreement in Ukrainian.