Apostrophe inside words

Level 1Sounds Like apostrof

The Ukrainian apostrophe (’) is a mandatory spelling marker. It tells you to pronounce the preceding consonant 'hard' and the following vowel with a distinct 'y' sound (like [ja] or [yu]).

How It Works

The apostrophe is essential for correct Ukrainian pronunciation and spelling. It occurs in these main situations:

  • After Labials: After б, п, в, м, ф when followed by iotated vowels я, ю, є, ї (e.g., м’ясо, б’ю). Exception: No apostrophe if another consonant (except р) precedes the labial in the root, like in свято. However, if that preceding consonant is part of a prefix, the apostrophe remains (e.g., зв’язок).
  • After Hard 'р': When р ends a syllable and is pronounced hard (e.g., бур’ян, подвір’я).
  • The 'Лук’ян' Case: The name Лук’ян and its derivatives are the only native words where an apostrophe follows к.
  • After Prefixes: When a prefix ends in a consonant and the root starts with an iotated vowel (e.g., з’їсти, об’єм).
  • In Foreign Words: To preserve the [j] sound in loanwords. Here, it can follow more consonants like г, к, х, ж, ч, ш (e.g., комп’ютер, Х’юстон, ін’єкція).

Examples (5)

  1. У моєї сім’ї є традиція.

    My family has a tradition.

    Word by Word: At my family is tradition.

    The apostrophe in 'сім’ї' follows the labial 'м' and ensures the 'ї' is pronounced [yi].

  2. Він з’їв увесь пиріг.

    He ate the whole pie.

    Word by Word: He ate-up all pie.

    Here, the apostrophe follows the prefix 'з-' to separate it from the root starting with 'ї'.

  3. Це коштує п’ять гривень.

    It costs five hryvnias.

    Word by Word: This costs five hryvnias.

    In 'п’ять', the apostrophe follows the labial 'п' before the vowel 'я'.

  4. Комп’ютер стоїть на столі.

    The computer is on the table.

    Word by Word: Computer stands on table.

    In the loanword 'комп’ютер', the apostrophe preserves the [yu] sound after the 'п'.

  5. Здоров’я — це важливо.

    Health is important.

    Word by Word: Health — this important.

    The apostrophe follows the labial 'в' in the word 'здоров’я'.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding an apostrophe when a labial is preceded by another root consonant.

    св’ято
    свято

    If a labial consonant (б, п, в, м, ф) is preceded by another consonant (except р) within the same root, the apostrophe is omitted. This is why words like свято (holiday) and цвях (nail) do not have one.

  • Forgetting the apostrophe in the name Лук’ян.

    Лукян
    Лук’ян

    The name Лук’ян and its derivatives are unique native exceptions where the apostrophe follows the letter к before the iotated vowel я.

  • Using the Russian hard sign (ъ) instead of the apostrophe.

    объява
    об’ява

    Ukrainian does not use the Russian hard sign (ъ). The апостроф is the only mark used to separate a consonant from an iotated vowel to maintain a [j] sound.