Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Ukrainian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Будь ласка, дай мені ключ.
What does будь ласка mean, and why is it placed at the beginning of the sentence?
Будь ласка literally means “please.” It’s an introductory polite phrase derived from бути (to be) + ласка (kindness/favor). Placing it at the start softens the command, though you could also put it at the end (e.g., Дай мені ключ, будь ласка).
What is the form and meaning of дай here?
Дай is the singular informal imperative of the verb дати (to give). It’s equivalent to English “give” when you’re addressing one person you know well (a friend, family member, etc.).
Why is мені used instead of мене or я?
Мені is the dative case of я (I), indicating the indirect object (“to me”). You always use the dative for the recipient of something. Мене is accusative (“me” as a direct object), and я is the nominative (“I” as the subject).
Why does ключ look like the nominative form, and why isn’t there an article?
In Ukrainian, masculine inanimate nouns like ключ have identical nominative and accusative forms—so although it’s the direct object, it remains ключ. Ukrainian also has no definite or indefinite articles (“the”/“a”), so you simply use the noun alone.
Is there a comma after будь ласка, and why?
Yes. The comma separates the polite introductory phrase будь ласка from the main clause. It’s standard punctuation whenever you lead with an expression like “please.”
Can you change the word order? For instance, Дай ключ мені, будь ласка?
Absolutely. Ukrainian word order is flexible for emphasis. Дай ключ мені, будь ласка or Дай, будь ласка, мені ключ are both correct. Each variation slightly shifts the focus (e.g., stressing ключ or будь ласка).
Is дай polite enough, or is it too direct?
Дай is informal but polite when combined with будь ласка. To be more formal or address multiple people, use the plural imperative дайте: Будь ласка, дайте мені ключ.
Where is the stress in будь ласка, дай, and ключ?
- БУДь ласка: stress on the first syllable of будь and on ла́ in ласка.
- да́й: stress on the only syllable, ай.
- клю́ч: stress on the vowel ю, the only syllable in the word.
Could I use a synonym like передай instead of дай?
Yes. Передай (“pass” or “hand over”) works similarly: Будь ласка, передай мені ключ. It might sound slightly more formal or neutral.
What about a diminutive form for ключ?
You can use ключик (“little key”) to soften or specify: Будь ласка, дай мені ключик. It often sounds more affectionate or casual.
Can будь ласка appear in the middle of the sentence?
You can insert it parenthetically: Дай, будь ласка, мені ключ. This is grammatically fine but places extra emphasis on your politeness.