Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Пане офіціанте, принесіть, будь ласка, воду.

Because this is direct address, Ukrainian uses the vocative case. Masculine nouns like пан and офіціант change to Пане and офіціанте when you’re calling to someone. It’s the same idea as saying “Sir” or “Waiter” directly.

Is it normal to use both Пане and офіціанте together? Isn’t that redundant?

It’s normal and politely emphatic. Пане офіціанте is like saying “Sir, waiter,” a courteous way to get attention. You can also use just one: Пане, … or Офіціанте, …—both are fine.

How would I address a female server?

Say Пані офіціантко, …. Notes:

пані doesn’t change (it’s indeclinable).
офіціантка becomes офіціантко in the vocative. You can also say simply Пані, … or less formally Дівчино, ….

Why is the verb принесіть and not принеси?

принесіть is the polite or plural imperative (addressing someone as ви), used with service staff and strangers. принеси is the singular informal imperative for friends/family. Using принесіть signals respect.

Is the spelling принесіть correct? I often want to write принесіть.

The correct form is принесіть (with -с- before -іть), from the verb принести. Don’t write принесіть. The stress falls on the last syllable: принесІть.

What does будь ласка do here, and where can I place it?

будь ласка means “please.” It can appear:

in the middle: принесіть, будь ласка, воду (set off by commas),
at the start: Будь ласка, принесіть воду,
at the end: Принесіть воду, будь ласка. All are natural.

Why are there commas around будь ласка and after the address?

Direct address (Пане офіціанте) is separated by a comma. будь ласка functions as a parenthetical politeness marker, so it’s also set off by commas when in the middle: принесіть, будь ласка, ….

Why is it воду and not вода?

воду is the accusative singular of вода (“water”), used for the direct object of принести. Feminine nouns ending in -а change to -у in the accusative: вода → воду.

Can I say води instead of воду?

Yes. воду (accusative) often implies a specific serving (a bottle/glass), while води (genitive, “partitive”) can mean “some water.” In a café both are acceptable: принесіть, будь ласка, воду/води.

How do I specify still or sparkling water?

Use adjectives in the matching case:

Still: негазовану воду or води без газу,
Sparkling: газовану воду or води з газом. Examples: Пане офіціанте, принесіть, будь ласка, негазовану воду. / … пляшку газованої води.

How do I say “for me/us” here?

Add the dative: мені (to me), нам (to us). For example: Пане офіціанте, принесіть, будь ласка, мені склянку води. Word order is flexible.

Could I use a different verb than принести?

Yes:

дайте = “give (me/us)” (neutral, very common): Дайте, будь ласка, воду.
подайте = “serve/pass” (a touch more formal/polite): Подайте, будь ласка, воду. принесіть focuses on bringing it to you; all three work in restaurants.

Is starting with Будь ласка okay?

Absolutely: Будь ласка, принесіть воду. You can also move pieces around: Пане офіціанте, будь ласка, принесіть воду. The meaning and politeness stay the same.

Is Пане capitalized because it’s respectful?

It’s capitalized here only because it starts the sentence. Mid‑sentence it’s normally lowercase: пане офіціанте, … Ukrainian doesn’t capitalize titles like this for respect (unlike sometimes capital Ви in formal letters).

Is there a more indirect, extra‑polite way to ask?

Yes, use a conditional polite request: Чи не могли б ви принести, будь ласка, води? or Будь ласка, чи не принесете ви воду? This sounds very courteous.

Can I get attention without using пан/пані or the job title?

Yes. Try Вибачте, будь ласка, … (“Excuse me, please, …”): Вибачте, будь ласка, принесіть воду. That’s common and polite.

Should будь ласка ever be hyphenated or one word?

No. It’s always two separate words: будь ласка. Use lowercase unless it begins a sentence.

What’s the nuance between принесіть, будь ласка, воду and принесіть воду, будь ласка?

Both are equally polite. Placing будь ласка in the middle slightly softens the command; at the end it feels like an afterthought “please,” but in practice there’s no real difference in tone.

Is there anything off about saying just Офіціанте! to call a waiter?

It’s grammatically fine but can sound abrupt. Adding пане or будь ласка softens it: Пане офіціанте, … or Офіціанте, будь ласка, … For the most neutral option, start with Вибачте, ….