про

Preposition Про

Level 1Sounds Like pro

The preposition про is the standard way to say 'about' in Ukrainian. It is used with verbs of speaking, thinking, and writing to introduce a topic.

How It Works

The preposition про is a fundamental tool for communication. It functions as a bridge between a mental or verbal action and the subject matter of that action.

1. Usage with Verbs:
It is most commonly paired with verbs such as:

  • говорити / розповідати (to speak / to tell)
  • думати (to think)
  • писати (to write)
  • читати (to read)
  • знати (to know)
  • мріяти (to dream)

2. Case Government:
You must use the Accusative case for the noun following про. For inanimate masculine nouns, inanimate singular neuter nouns, and inanimate plural nouns, this looks like the Nominative. However, singular feminine and masculine nouns ending in -а/-я will change to -у/-ю. Importantly, animate masculine nouns referring to people in the singular take the Genitive ending. In the plural, all animate nouns (referring to both people and animals) take the Genitive form (e.g., про котів).

3. Pronouns:
When using personal pronouns after про, they take their Accusative forms: про мене (about me), про тебе (about you), про нас (about us), and про вас (about you all/formal). When using 3rd-person pronouns, an н- is added to the start:

  • про нього (about him/it)
  • про неї (about her/it)
  • про них (about them)

Additionally, it is very common to use demonstrative pronouns like про це (about this). To form simple sentences about a topic, you use the bridge про те, що... (e.g., Я думаю про те, що він сказав - I am thinking about what he said).

4. Asking Questions:
To ask questions using this preposition, use про кого? (about whom?) for people and про що? (about what?) for objects and concepts.

Examples (5)

  1. Я думаю про тебе.

    I am thinking about you.

    Word by Word: I think about you.

    The pronoun 'тебе' is the accusative form of 'ти'.

  2. Він розповідає про роботу.

    He is telling (us) about work.

    Word by Word: He tells about work.

    The feminine noun 'робота' changes to 'роботу' in the accusative case after 'про'.

  3. Ми читаємо книгу про історію.

    We are reading a book about history.

    Word by Word: We read book about history.

    Here, 'історію' is the accusative of 'історія'.

  4. Вони мріють про майбутнє.

    They dream about the future.

    Word by Word: They dream about future.

    The word 'майбутнє' (future) stays the same in the accusative as it is a neuter substantivized adjective.

  5. Розкажи мені про нього.

    Tell me about him.

    Word by Word: Tell to-me about him.

    Note the 'н-' added to the pronoun 'нього' because it follows a preposition.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Locative case (like in Russian) instead of the Accusative.

    Я думаю про роботі.
    Я думаю про роботу.

    In Ukrainian, 'про' strictly governs the Accusative case. Using the Locative ('роботі') is a common error for learners familiar with other Slavic languages.

  • Using the preposition 'о' to mean 'about'.

    Ми говорили о погоді.
    Ми говорили про погоду.

    In Ukrainian, 'о' is used for time (at 7 o'clock) or physical contact. To express 'about', you must use 'про'.

  • Omitting the 'н-' prefix for 3rd-person pronouns.

    Я знаю про його.
    Я знаю про нього.

    When a 3rd-person pronoun follows any preposition, it must take the 'н-' prefix.

How It Connects

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проLevel 1Preposition Про

Learn This First

To use the preposition 'про' (about), you must understand the accusative case, as this preposition governs that specific case. This includes knowing when the noun ending changes (feminine nouns) and when it remains the same (inanimate masculine and neuter nouns).

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