Ukrainian Body Parts: A Complete Vocabulary Guide
In this guide, we’ve gathered essential Ukrainian vocabulary—from your fingertips to internal organs—to help you confidently describe your appearance, feelings, and health.
Whether you are traveling, visiting a doctor, exercising, or just having a casual conversation, these words are foundational. They allow you to:
- Explain how you feel or describe symptoms.
- Describe people's physical appearance.
- Understand common Ukrainian idioms and expressions.
The Arm: From Fingernails to Shoulder
- Рука — [ruˈkɑ] — roo-KAH — Arm / Hand
- Лікоть — [ˈlʲikotʲ] — LEE-kot' — Elbow
- Ніготь — [ˈniɦotʲ] — NEE-hot' — Fingernail
- Палець — [ˈpɑlet͡sʲ] — PAH-lets' — Finger
- Передпліччя — [peredˈplit͡ʃːɐ] — pe-red-PLEE-chya — Forearm
- Вказівний палець — [vkɐzʲivˈnɪi] — vka-zeev-NYI — Index finger
- Мізинець — [miˈzɪnet͡sʲ] — mee-ZY-nets' — Little finger
- Середній палець — [seˈrɛdnʲii] — se-RED-nyee — Middle finger
- Долоня — [doˈlɔnʲɐ] — do-LO-nya — Palm
- Безіменний палець — [beziˈmɛnːɪi] — be-zee-MEN-nyi — Ring finger
- Плече — [pleˈt͡ʃɛ] — ple-CHE — Shoulder
- Великий палець — [veˈlɪkɪi] — ve-LY-kyi — Thumb
- Зап’ясток — [zɐˈpjɑstok] — za-PYAS-tok — Wrist
Head & Face: Key Vocabulary
Use these words for descriptions or when discussing health issues with a specialist.
- Щока [ʃt͡ʃɔˈkɑ] — Cheek
- Підборіддя [pidboˈridʲːɐ] — Chin
- Вухо [ˈvuxo] — Ear
- Око / Очі [ˈɔko] / [ˈɔt͡ʃi] — Eye / Eyes
- Брова [broˈvɑ] — Eyebrow
- Вія [ˈvʲijɐ] — Eyelash
- Повіка [poˈvikɐ] — Eyelid
- Обличчя [oˈblɪt͡ʃːɐ] — Face
- Лоб (Чоло) [lɔb] — Forehead
- Волосся [voˈlɔsʲːɐ] — Hair
- Щелепа [ˈʃt͡ʃɛlepɐ] — Jaw
- Губа [ɦuˈbɑ] — Lip
- Рот [rɔt] — Mouth
- Вуса [ˈvusɐ] — Mustache
- Шия [ˈʃɪjɐ] — Neck
- Ніс [nis] — Nose
- Ніздря [ˈnizdrʲɐ] — Nostril
- Язик [jɐˈzɪk] — Tongue
- Зуб / Зуби [zub] / [ˈzubɪ] — Tooth / Teeth
Legs: "Нога" vs "Ступня"
Just like with the arm, нога often refers to the entire limb. Here are the specific parts:
- Стегно [steˈɦnɔ] — Thigh
- Коліно [koˈlino] — Knee
- Гомілка [ɦoˈmilkɐ] — Shin
- Щиколотка [ˈʃt͡ʃɪkolotkɐ] — Ankle
- Ступня (Стопа) [stupˈnʲɑ] — Foot
- П’ята [pjɐˈtɑ] — Heel
- Палець ноги — Toe
Pro-tip: While English strictly distinguishes between "leg" and "foot," Ukrainians casually say "в мене болять ноги" (my legs hurt) even if only their feet are sore. In medical contexts, however, use ступня for the foot.
Internal Organs & Systems
Essential for explaining how you feel at a doctor's appointment:
- Мозок — Brain
- Серце — Heart
- Легені — Lungs
- Печінка — Liver
- Нирки — Kidneys
- Шлунок — Stomach
- Кишківник — Intestines
- Хребет — Spine
- М’яз — Muscle
- Кістка — Bone
- Кровоносна система — Circulatory system
- Травна система — Digestive system
Ukrainian Idioms involving Body Parts
Ukrainian is rich with idioms. See how they compare to English:
- Ні пуху, ні пера! — Good luck! (Literally: Neither down nor feather). Equivalent to Break a leg.
- Тримати вухо гостро — To stay alert / keep your eyes peeled. (Literally: To keep your ear sharp).
- Ласун / Ласунка — Someone who has a sweet tooth.
- Водити за ніс — To deceive or trick someone. (Literally: To lead by the nose).
- Накивати п'ятами — To run away quickly. (Literally: To beckon with the heels).
- Пхати носа не в свої справи — To be nosy. (Literally: To stick your nose in not-your-business).
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Describe the Action
Fill in the blanks with the correct instrument: очима (eyes), ногами (legs), вухами (ears), зубами (teeth), руками (hands/arms).
- Я дивлюся на світ своїми ______. (I look at the world with my...)
- Музику ми слухаємо ______. (We listen to music with our...)
- Футболіст б'є по м'ячу ______. (A footballer kicks the ball with his...)
- Ми пишемо текст ______. (We write text with our...)
- Яблуко ми кусаємо ______. (We bite the apple with our...)
Exercise 2: Matching
Match the Ukrainian term to its English equivalent:
A. Спина — 1. Knee
B. Коліно — 2. Finger
C. Палець — 3. Back
D. Плече — 4. Shoulder
Answers:
Ex 1: 1. очима, 2. вухами, 3. ногами, 4. руками, 5. зубами.
Ex 2: A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4.