Koshtuie and varto: two different worth
English leans on one verb for both money and sense — it costs a lot, it is worth trying. Ukrainian keeps two words apart, and mixing them is heard at once. For example: “Скільки коштує проїзд?” — How much does the fare cost?. A rule from the Ukrainian course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
English leans on one verb for both money and sense — it costs a lot, it is worth trying. Ukrainian keeps two words apart, and mixing them is heard at once.
Koshtuie is about price: skilky tse koshtuie, kvytok koshtuie sto hryven. The root kosht means funds, which is where bezkoshtovno free of charge and svoiim koshtom at one's own expense come from.
Varto is about sense: varto sprobuvaty it is worth a try, ne varto sperchatysia do not bother arguing, chy varto chekaty. It has no person of its own, and an infinitive follows it.
The language keeps such pairs going. Vvazhaty is to hold an opinion, rakhuvaty to count numbers. Likuvaty treats a patient, lichyty counts. Provodyty chas is spending time, providaty is paying someone a visit.
Table
| in English | about price | about sense |
|---|---|---|
| it costs | koshtuie | varto |
| to count | rakhuvaty | vvazhaty |
| to treat / to count | likuvaty | lichyty |
| to spend time / to visit | provodyty chas | providaty |
By example
- Скільки коштує проїзд?How much does the fare cost?
- Не варто поспішати з рішеннямIt is not worth rushing the decision
- Я вважаю, що ціна завеликаI think the price is too high
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Koshtuie or varto: costs vs worth in Ukrainian?
English leans on one verb for both money and sense — it costs a lot, it is worth trying. Ukrainian keeps two words apart, and mixing them is heard at once.
What does it look like in an example sentence Ukrainian?
“Скільки коштує проїзд?” — How much does the fare cost?. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.