куди

Question Word Куди

Level 1Sounds Like kudi

Куди is the Ukrainian question word for "where to." It is used to ask about a destination, direction, or the placement of an object.

How It Works

In Ukrainian, куди is an interrogative adverb that functions as follows:

  • Directional Focus: It is paired with verbs indicating direction or destination. This includes verbs of motion like іти (to go), verbs of placement like класти (to put), or verbs of orientation like дивитися (to look).
  • Answering the Question: Answers typically use the Accusative case with prepositions в/у or на for physical spaces, or the Genitive case with до when moving toward people or reaching a boundary.
  • Other Prepositions: Directional answers can also use the Accusative case with prepositions like під (under), за (behind/beyond), or через/крізь (through/across).
  • Fixed Form: As an adverb, it never changes its ending. It remains куди regardless of the subject or tense.
  • Sentence Position: It typically starts the sentence in direct questions.
  • Relative Adverb: It can link two clauses (e.g., "Я знаю, куди ти йдеш"). In these cases, a comma is required before куди.

Think of куди as "to what place."

Examples (4)

  1. Куди ти йдеш?

    Where are you going? (on foot)

    Word by Word: Where-to you go?

    A standard question using the second-person singular form of the verb 'to go'.

  2. Куди їде цей автобус?

    Where is this bus going?

    Word by Word: Where-to goes this bus?

    Used here with a verb of vehicle motion to ask for the bus's destination.

  3. Я не знаю, куди вони летять.

    I don't know where they are flying.

    Word by Word: I not know, where-to they fly.

    Here, 'куди' acts as a connector between two clauses, requiring a comma.

  4. Куди ви поклали ключі?

    Where did you put the keys?

    Word by Word: Where-to you put keys?

    Even though 'put' isn't a verb of travel, it implies a change of direction/destination for the object.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'де' instead of 'куди' for movement.

    Де ти йдеш?
    Куди ти йдеш?

    'Де' asks where you are currently located while walking. To ask for the destination, you must use 'куди'.

  • Omitting the comma in complex sentences.

    Він знає куди ми йдемо.
    Він знає, куди ми йдемо.

    In Ukrainian, a comma is mandatory before a relative adverb like 'куди' when it starts a subordinate clause.

How It Connects

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кудиLevel 1Question Word Куди

Learn This First

To understand 'куди', learners first need to be able to read the Cyrillic script. It is also helpful to understand the difference between asking about a static location ('де') versus a destination or direction ('куди').

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куди