щодо / стосовно
Topical Prepositions Щодо and Стосовно
Щодо and стосовно are prepositions used to mark the topic of a sentence. Both require the Genitive case. Щодо is universal and common, while стосовно is more formal and bureaucratic.
How It Works
In Ukrainian, when you want to specify what a discussion, decision, or thought is about, you use topical prepositions.
- Щодо: This is the most versatile choice. It is used in all styles of speech, from casual conversation to news reports. It is always written as one word.
- Стосовно: This is a more formal alternative, frequently found in legal documents, official correspondence, and scientific texts. While it can be used with the preposition до (стосовно до...), modern usage typically uses it alone.
Both prepositions govern the Genitive case. This means the noun or pronoun following them must take its Genitive form (e.g., проблема becomes проблеми).
Register Nuance: While they are often interchangeable, using стосовно in a casual text to a friend might sound unnaturally stiff or 'officialese'. Conversely, щодо is perfectly acceptable in formal writing.
Examples (4)
- Щодо твого прохання, я ще не прийняв рішення.
Regarding your request, I haven't made a decision yet.
Word by Word: Regarding your request, I yet not took decision.
Here 'щодо' introduces the topic at the start of the sentence, followed by the Genitive 'твого прохання'.
- Було прийнято нову постанову стосовно правил перетину кордону.
A new decree was adopted concerning the rules of border crossing.
Word by Word: Was adopted new decree concerning rules crossing border.
This uses the formal 'стосовно' in an official context (a decree) followed by the Genitive 'правил'.
- Щодо мене, то я не маю жодних заперечень.
As for me, I have no objections.
Word by Word: Regarding me, then I not have any objections.
In this construction, 'щодо' functions like 'as for' to express a personal stance.
- Я маю кілька запитань щодо цього проєкту.
I have a few questions regarding this project.
Word by Word: I have several questions regarding this project.
A common way to link a noun (questions) to a specific topic (the project).
Common Mistakes
Confusing the preposition 'щодо' with the conjunction 'що' + preposition 'до'.
Я не знаю що до цього сказати.Я не знаю, що щодо цього сказати.If you mean 'regarding', it must be the single word 'щодо'. 'Що до' (two words) is only used when 'що' is a conjunction (e.g., 'I heard that [що] to [до] us...').
Using the wrong case after the preposition.
Щодо цю проблему...Щодо цієї проблеми...Both 'щодо' and 'стосовно' require the Genitive case, not the Accusative.
Using 'відносно' to mean 'about' or 'regarding'.
Я маю думку відносно цього.Я маю думку щодо цього.Using 'відносно' as a topical marker is often a Russianism. In Ukrainian, 'відносно' is best used for comparisons (e.g., 'relatively warm').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'щодо' and 'стосовно' correctly, a learner must be comfortable with the genitive case, as both prepositions require it. Understanding the basic topical preposition 'про' provides the functional foundation, while familiarity with verbal nouns is necessary because these prepositions are most common in the formal or academic registers where such nouns are prevalent.
- Genitive Possession
Both 'щодо' and 'стосовно' govern the genitive case, so the learner must be familiar with genitive noun endings.
Level 2 - проPreposition Про
The preposition 'про' is the basic way to introduce a topic; 'щодо' and 'стосовно' are more formal/advanced alternatives for the same function.
Level 1 - -ння/-ттяVerbal Noun in -ння and -ття
These topical prepositions are frequently used in formal contexts with verbal nouns to discuss abstract domains or processes.
Level 4
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice щодо / стосовно in Bubblegum
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