Ukrainian words-realities: translate not translatable

Sometimes it is difficult to get to know foreigners: some cultural and social phenomena inherent in Ukraine are incomprehensible and unrecoverable for residents of other countries. We tried to partially solve this problem and created a kind of "vocabulary" - translated and explained in English original Ukrainian words and phraseologisms in detail. It's time to explain to our guests what such a "marshrutka" and is it worth to go when invited to a "vechornitsi".

1. Перепічка – “perepichka” 

Traditional Kyivan patty with sausage filling. Really greasy and nourishing, it`s sold at one exact catering stand down at Bohdana Hmelnitskogo street in the citycenter: this place can be easily recognized by a long line of hungry people, queuing to buy a perepichka for 20 cents.

2. Да ну ні напевно – Yes well no maybe

Despite apparent literal nonsense, this collocation is actually used to express uncertain denial, equating “probably not”.

3. Маршрутка – “marshrutka”

An unusual combination of public transport and taxi: mini-bus in a poor condition (usually yellow, but other colorings also possible), which runs along the routes of buses and trams more frequently than other types of public transport, but tickets for which are more expensive

4. Оселедець під шубою – Herring in a fur-coat

Traditional salad, which consists of herring, covered with layers of onions, potatoes, carrots, chopped eggs, beetroot and mayonnaise. May sound unusual, but has been approved by numerous generations of foodies and is an essential dish on every New Year`s menu.

5. Борщ – “borshch”

Traditional beetroot soup, usually cooked on base on veal broth and seasoned with sour cream.

6. Два козаки – три гетьмани – Where there are two Cossacks, there are three Hetmans

While “Cossack” is a name of an ordinary soldier of Ukrainian army in XVII-XVIII century, Hetman is Commander in Chief of the whole army and Head of State at the same time. This idiom stresses such traits of Ukrainian national mentality as inability to obey authorities, independence and urge for obtaining the power.

7. «Совок» – “sovok”

Literally having the same meaning as “scoop”. Anything with a negative tinge of Soviet Union heritage (e.g. primitive narrow-mindedness, poor functioning community services, bureaucracy etc.)

8. Вечорниці – “vechornitsi”

Traditional Ukrainian mass events, that historically were a common type of social entertainment (mostly in villages): people gathered to sing, dance and communicate. Nowadays this tradition is still alive in some universities and as part of festivals, dedicated to praising Ukrainian culture.

9. Перший хлопець на селі – The best guy in the whole village

Used to ironically describe “the coolest person” of some company or the one, who`s trying to appear that way, but fails.

10. А ваша Галя балувана – And your Galya (Ukrainian name) is a spoiled girl

An idiom, used to describe a person, who`s not satisfied while he or she actually should be; a person, who`s asking for too much.