Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Почекайте хвилину, будь ласка.

In Ukrainian imperatives, Почекайте (ending in -йте) is the polite – or plural – form of почекати, used when addressing someone formally or a group. Почекай is the informal singular imperative.

Why isn’t the pronoun ви included in Почекайте хвилину, будь ласка?

Ukrainian normally drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already signals the person. The -йте ending in Почекайте tells you the subject is ви (second-person plural or formal singular), so you don’t need to say ви explicitly.

What case is хвилину, and why is it used here?

хвилину is the singular accusative of хвилина (minute). When you specify a duration of time in Ukrainian (“wait for X time”), you put the time period in the accusative case.

Where is the stress in хвилину?

The stress falls on the second syllable: хви-ЛИ-ну.

What does будь ласка literally mean, and why is it used?

Literally, будь ласка breaks down to “be favor” or “be kindness,” but functionally it means please. It’s a polite particle that softens a request.