LingoflyThe neighbor from the third floor
A text in Ukrainian at level B1. The translation sits next to it for checking, not for support: at this level the text is read whole, and an unknown word is usually guessed from the sentence. At first he seemed withdrawn: he would say hello and walk on. The neighbor women gossiped that he was proud. Then a…
Text
- Спершу він здавався замкнутим: вітався і йшов далі. Сусідки пліткували, ніби він гордий. Потім у мене прорвало трубу, і саме він прибіг з ключами. Виявилося, просто соромʼязливий і дуже чуйний. Тепер ми говоримо на рівних, і я знаю: він тримає слово, а хвалитися не любить.Spershu vin zdavavsia zamknutym: vitavsia i yshov dali. Susidky plitkuvaly, niby vin hordyi. Potim u mene prorvalo trubu, i same vin prybih z kliuchamy. Vyiavylosia, prosto soromiazlyvyi i duzhe chuinyi. Teper my hovorymo na rivnykh, i ya znaiu: vin trymaie slovo, a khvalytysia ne liubyt.At first he seemed withdrawn: he would say hello and walk on. The neighbor women gossiped that he was proud. Then a pipe burst at my place, and he was the one who came running with tools. It turned out he is simply shy and very helpful. Now we talk as equals, and I know he keeps his word and does not like to boast.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- How did the neighbor seem at first?
- What did the neighbor women say?
- What happened at the narrator's place?
- What did the neighbor turn out to be?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Ukrainian?
B1. That means: everyday topics are behind you, you know about three thousand words, and an unknown word is more often guessed from the sentence than looked up.
How to read a text in an unfamiliar language usefully?
First all the way through without peeking at the translation — just to catch the familiar words. Then with the translation. Then all the way through again: the second pass brings noticeably more, and that feeling matters more than any rule.