чи

Question Particle Чи

Level 1Sounds Like či

Use чи at the very start of a sentence to turn a statement into a clear yes-no question. It is the Ukrainian equivalent of English auxiliary fronting (Do you...? Is he...?).

How It Works

The particle чи is a versatile tool in Ukrainian grammar. At Level 1, its most important role is as a question marker.

1. Yes-No Questions
In English, we change word order or add 'do' to ask a question. In Ukrainian, you can simply place чи at the beginning of a standard subject-verb-object sentence. Unlike English, the word order of the rest of the sentence does not need to change.

  • Ти знаєш. (You know.)
  • Чи ти знаєш? (Do you know?)

2. Formal vs. Informal
In casual speech, speakers often omit чи and rely on a rising tone at the end of the sentence. However, чи is preferred in writing, formal situations, and when you want to be extra clear that you are asking a question.

3. Indirect Questions ('Whether')
When reporting a question or expressing uncertainty, чи acts like the English word 'if' or 'whether'. Note that in Ukrainian, a comma is required before the particle in this structure.

  • Я не знаю, чи він вдома. (I don't know if/whether he is at home.)

4. Alternative Questions ('Or')
When asking someone to choose between two things, чи is used as 'or'.

  • Чай чи кава? (Tea or coffee?)

Examples (5)

  1. Чи ви розмовляєте українською?

    Do you speak Ukrainian?

    Word by Word: Whether you speak Ukrainian?

    A standard neutral question using the polite 'you'.

  2. Чи можна зайти?

    May I come in?

    Word by Word: Whether possible to enter?

    A polite request using the impersonal word 'можна' (possible/allowed).

  3. Я не знаю, чи він прийде.

    I don't know if he will come.

    Word by Word: I not know, whether he will-come.

    Here, 'чи' functions as an indirect question marker meaning 'whether'.

  4. Ти хочеш сік чи воду?

    Do you want juice or water?

    Word by Word: You want juice or water?

    In a question involving a choice, 'чи' is used to mean 'or'.

  5. Чи ти бачив цей фільм?

    Have you seen this movie?

    Word by Word: Whether you saw this movie?

    A simple yes-no question in the past tense.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'чи' with other question words like 'де' or 'хто'.

    Чи де ти був?
    Де ти був?

    As a question particle, 'чи' opens yes-no questions. If a sentence already has a question word like 'де' (where), 'хто' (who), or 'що' (what), do not add 'чи' to it. ('Чи' also joins alternatives, as in 'чай чи кава', and opens indirect questions.)

  • Using 'якщо' instead of 'чи' for indirect questions.

    Я не знаю, якщо він прийде.
    Я не знаю, чи він прийде.

    In Ukrainian, якщо is only for conditional 'if' (If X happens, then Y). For 'if' meaning 'whether', you must use 'чи'.

  • Placing 'чи' in the middle of a yes-no question (Russian interference).

    Знаєш чи ти?
    Чи ти знаєш?

    In Ukrainian, 'чи' almost always comes at the very beginning of the question. Placing it after the verb is a common mistake influenced by the Russian particle 'ли'.

How It Connects

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чиLevel 1Question Particle Чи

Learn This First

To use the question particle 'чи', you need to understand how basic Ukrainian sentences are structured, particularly those using the zero copula (omitted 'to be'). It is also helpful to know how to answer these questions using 'yes' or 'no'.

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