LingoflyHow not to hurt someone
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. Refusing is harder than agreeing. A bare “no” sounds harsh, so it is worth adding a reason: “unfortunately, I will not…
Text
- Відмовляти важче, ніж погоджуватися. Проста «ні» звучить різко, тому варто додати причину: «на жаль, я не встигну». Якщо не хочеться пояснювати, підійде «я подумаю» — усі розуміють, що це означає. А коли просите ви, починайте з «чи не могли б ви»: з цією частинкою прохання перестає бути наказом.Vidmovliaty vazhche, nizh pohodzhuvatysia. Prosta «ni» zvuchyt rizko, tomu varto dodaty prychynu: «na zhal, ya ne vstyhnu». Yakshcho ne khochetsia poiasniuvaty, pidiide «ya podumaiu» — usi rozumiiut, shcho tse oznachaie. A koly prosyte vy, pochynaite z «chy ne mohly b vy»: z tsiieiu chastynkoiu prokhannia perestaie buty nakazom.Refusing is harder than agreeing. A bare “no” sounds harsh, so it is worth adding a reason: “unfortunately, I will not make it in time.” If you would rather not explain, “I will think about it” works — everyone understands what it means. And when you are the one asking, start with “could you”: with that phrase a request stops being an order.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- Why is a bare no bad?
- What is worth adding to a refusal?
- What does “I will think about it” mean?
- How should you start a request?
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.