…
Breakdown of Тролейбус або автобус їде до будівлі університету.
до
to
автобус
the bus
університет
the university
їхати
to go
або
or
тролейбус
the trolleybus
будівля
the building
Questions & Answers about Тролейбус або автобус їде до будівлі університету.
Why is the verb singular (їде) and not plural (їдуть) when there are two nouns?
Because або means “either/or”: the subject is only one of the two (either the trolleybus or the bus), so Ukrainian uses singular agreement: ... їде .... If you mean both together (and), use і/та and the plural: Тролейбус і автобус їдуть ....
Can I use чи instead of або here? Any difference?
Yes. Both can mean “or.” In statements, або is the default and a bit more emphatic; чи is very common in questions. You can also use the paired form for emphasis: або тролейбус, або автобус .... In questions: Чи тролейбус, чи автобус їде ...?
What case are будівлі and університету, and why?
Genitive singular for both. The preposition до always takes the genitive, so будівля → будівлі, and університет → університету. The chain будівлі університету literally means “building of the university.”
Could I just say ... їде до університету instead of до будівлі університету?
Yes. ... до університету is very common and natural when the exact building is unimportant. ... до будівлі університету sounds more specific (to the actual university building).
What’s the difference between до університету and в/у університет?
до means “to/towards,” up to the place. в/у means “into/inside.” Він їде до університету = he is heading to the university; Він їде в університет = he is going into the university (to enter or be inside). Both are correct depending on intent.
What’s the difference between їде and іде? They look similar.
Different verbs: їде (from їхати) = goes by vehicle, rides, drives. іде (from йти) = goes on foot, walks. Spelling matters: ї vs і changes the meaning.
How do I pronounce the sentence? Where is the stress?
Rough guide: троле́йбус (tro-LEY-bus), або́ (a-BO), ї́де (YEE-de), до (do), буді́влі (boo-DEEV-lee), університе́ту (oo-nee-ver-see-TET-oo). The letter ї is pronounced like English “ye” at the start of “yes.”
Can I use прямує instead of їде?
Yes. прямує means “is heading/is making its way” (more formal or neutral). So: Тролейбус або автобус прямує до .... Other options: курсує (runs as a service), рухається (is moving, technical).
Is будівля, будинок, or корпус better for a university building?
- будівля = building (neutral, any structure)
- будинок = building/house; often residential or in addresses
- корпус = block/building of an institution (typical for universities) Many speakers would say до корпусу університету or до головного корпусу.
Where are “the/a” articles here?
Ukrainian has no articles. Definiteness is inferred from context or can be made explicit with demonstratives (цей = this, той = that) or word order. So the sentence can mean “the trolleybus” or “a trolleybus” depending on context.
What’s the difference between тролейбус, автобус, and трамвай?
- тролейбус: electric bus powered by overhead wires, no rails
- автобус: bus with its own motor, no overhead wires
- трамвай: tram/streetcar running on rails
Do I need a comma before або here?
No. When або connects single words (two subjects here), no comma is used. If it connects independent clauses, use a comma: Він піде пішки, або він поїде автобусом.
Can I repeat the conjunction: Або тролейбус, або автобус їде ...?
Yes. The paired construction strengthens the either/or meaning. The verb still stays singular: ... їде ....
Why is it університету and not університета?
Because the standard Ukrainian genitive singular of університет is університету. The -а form here is a Russian form and nonstandard in Ukrainian. Many masculine nouns take -у/-ю in the genitive: заводу, лісу, університету.
Can I change the word order?
Yes. Ukrainian allows flexible word order for emphasis. All are correct:
- До будівлі університету їде тролейбус або автобус. (focus on destination)
- Тролейбус або автобус до будівлі університету їде. (less common, adds end-focus)
- Їде до будівлі університету тролейбус або автобус. (narrative/announcement style)
If I mean a regular service (“the bus runs to the university”), what verb should I use?
Use a habitual verb: їздить (goes regularly) or service verbs like курсує. Examples: Автобус їздить до університету щодня. / Автобус курсує до університету кожні 15 хвилин. You’ll also hear Автобус ходить ... in schedules.
How do I conjugate їхати in the present?
я їду, ти їдеш, він/вона/воно їде, ми їдемо, ви їдете, вони їдуть.
If I really mean both are going, how would I say it?
Use “and” and plural agreement: Тролейбус і/та автобус їдуть до будівлі університету.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Ukrainian grammar?”
Ukrainian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning UkrainianMaster Ukrainian — from Тролейбус або автобус їде до будівлі університету to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions