Breakdown of Сьогодні на вулиці спекотний день.
на
on
сьогодні
today
день
the day
вулиця
the street
спекотний
scorching
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Questions & Answers about Сьогодні на вулиці спекотний день.
Why is there no equivalent of the verb “is” in this sentence even though in English we say “Today it is a hot day”?
In Ukrainian, the present tense of the verb to be is typically omitted. The state or quality described is understood from the context and structure without the need for an explicit linking verb.
What role does the word сьогодні play, and why is it placed at the beginning of the sentence?
Сьогодні means “today” and functions as a time adverb. Its placement at the beginning of the sentence sets the time frame for the statement, similar to how English speakers might start a sentence with “Today” to emphasize when something is taking place.
How should the phrase на вулиці be interpreted? Does it literally mean “on the street” or does it convey a different idea?
While на вулиці literally translates as “on the street”, it is used idiomatically in Ukrainian to mean “outside.” This construction is common when describing weather or outdoor conditions, even though it doesn’t directly match the English term.
How is adjective–noun agreement demonstrated in the phrase спекотний день?
In Ukrainian, adjectives agree with the noun they describe in gender, number, and case. Here, день (day) is a masculine singular noun in the nominative case, so the adjective спекотний is also in the masculine singular nominative form. This agreement is essential for proper grammar.
Does the different word order or omission of certain elements in Ukrainian change the overall meaning compared to the English sentence “Today it is a hot day”?
No, the overall meaning remains the same. Although Ukrainian often omits the verb “to be” and structures the sentence differently than English, the intended message—that today the weather is very hot outside—is fully conveyed through the chosen words and order.