У мене є готівка.

I have cash.

Breakdown of У мене є готівка.

• я: I
• мати: to have
• готівка: the cash

Questions & Answers about У мене є готівка.

What does "У мене є" literally mean, and why does it translate as "I have"?

Literally it’s "At me there is…". Ukrainian often expresses possession with the pattern у/в + Genitive (the possessor) + є + Nominative (the thing). So У мене є готівка = "There is cash at me" → "I have cash." It’s the most neutral, common way to say “have.”

Why is it у мене, not в мене? Are both correct?

Both are correct. Ukrainian alternates у/в for euphony:

• Use whichever avoids awkward clusters or a clash of vowels.
• At the start of a sentence before a consonant (as in мене), у is very typical: У мене…
• Before vowels, в often sounds smoother: в університеті. Regional and personal preferences vary; both forms are standard.

Can I omit є?

Sometimes, but be careful:

• У мене є готівка is the default existential/possessive sentence.
• У мене готівка (without є) is possible in speech to emphasize contrast or the type of thing you have (“I’ve got cash [not card]”), but it can sound elliptical. For clear, neutral statements of possession, keep є.

Why мене and not мені? What case is it?