Ukrainian Up — your graded podcast for learning Ukrainian
Ukrainian Up is a graded podcast for learning Ukrainian, offering episodes for beginners (A1-A2) with simple dialogues, intermediate (A2-B1) with short narrated stories, and advanced (B1-B2) with news, culture, and real conversations. It also includes Grammar Time episodes with English explanations and Ukrainian drills. The podcast is hosted by Tutor Larissa and aims to help learners improve their Ukrainian language skills.
Episodes
2.28. Grammar Time: Why Do the Words Differ? (Eng & Ukr)
In this episode, Alex finally breaks down why Ukrainian words change so much — and why one verb can suddenly look like five different words. He explains, in clear American English, how prefixes, roots, suffixes, and endings work together (just like LEGO blocks!), and Larissa gives short Ukrainian examples to help you hear the patterns. Easy, visual, and surprisingly fun.You’ll pick up useful patte
2.27. Song about Numbers (A1–A2)
In this episode, Larissa teaches you how to hear and build tricky Ukrainian numbers like 13, 30, and 300 — all through a fun, catchy song. Beginner-friendly, melodic, and super practical. Each line of the song is repeated and explained step by step.You’ll pick up useful patterns:«Meni vsioho trynadtsiat.» — “I'm only thirteen.”«Trydtsiat — try i nul.» — “Thirty — three and zero.”«Trysta — tse
2.26. Latest News (B1–B2)
In this episode, Halyna and Oleksiy bring you a challenging and real yet learner-friendly Ukrainian news briefing. Each story is repeated twice, followed by short comments to help you catch meaning and hear natural conversation. Clear, warm, and practical for B1-B2 learners.You’ll pick up new lines:«На місцях працюють екстрені служби.» — “Emergency services are on the scene.”«Подати заявку можна б
2.25. Bonus: Oggi Watches TV
This is a video fragment with subtitles — made for listening, reading, and repeating Ukrainian at the same time. It’s a fun and easy way to train your ears, eyes, and voice together.Watch, read, repeat — and feel your progress grow!Follow Ukrainian Up Club on Facebook, or get a full video on buymeacoffee.com/ukrainianup — learn Ukrainian smartly 💛💙
2.25. Oggi Watches TV (A1–A2)
In this episode, Larissa and Oggi talk about Ukrainian TV — news, dramas, comedies, and even football. Oggi shares what he watched and what he understood, while Larissa gives friendly tips on how to learn language through TV. Beginner-friendly, fun, and cozy.You’ll pick up simple lines:«Ya tebe kokhayu.» — “I love you.”«Komediyne shou» — “Comedy show”«Tak, ya hlyadach!» — “Yes, I’m a viewer!”Follo
2.24. Bonus: Halloween Edition
This is a video fragment with subtitles — made for listening, reading, and repeating Ukrainian at the same time. It’s a fun and easy way to train your ears, eyes, and voice together.Follow Ukrainian Up Club on Facebook, or get the full video on buymeacoffee.com/ukrainianup — learn Ukrainian smartly 💛💙
2.24. Halloween, Ukrainian Style (B1–B2)
In this episode, Halyna shares the story of an ancient Ukrainian holiday that feels a bit like Halloween — but warmer, cozier, and full of family memories. She explains what Didy is, how Ukrainians celebrate it, and how you can bring these traditions into your own home. Each section of the episode is repeated twice for easier listening. Gentle, festive, and full of magic.You’ll pick up new lines:«
2.23. Grammar Time: The Trickiest Sound (Eng & Ukr)
In this episode, Alex finally explains what the mysterious letter “Y” really means in Ukrainian words. Why does it sound different in ty, Yulia, or Zelenskyy? You’ll hear clear English explanations from Alex and simple Ukrainian drills from Larissa. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and made for real learners.You’ll pick up simple lines:«Ty, vy» — “you, informal or formal”«Sim’ya» — “family”«Yulia, Yevhen,
2.22. My Family Song (A1–A2)
Learn Ukrainian family members with Larissa's catchy, feel-good song. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical. Sing along and tell a friend about your parents, siblings and children easily.You’ll pick up simple lines:«Mama i tato — tse bat'ky.» — “Mom and dad are parents.”«My z nymy — odna rodyna.» — “We are one family with them.”«Moya sim'ya — liubov moya.» — “My family is my love.”Fol
2.21. Learn Ukrainian Smartly (B1–B2)
In this episode, Halyna and Oleksiy discuss what to do with a pause in your progress and offer advice from their own experience. Each section of the episode is repeated twice for easier listening. Live, challenging, and practical.You’ll pick up new lines:«Найкращий спосіб зростати — чути більше живої мови.» — “The best way to grow is to hear more live language.”«Щоб перейти на рівень вище, важливо
2.20. Oggi Goes to the Market (A1–A2)
In this episode, Larissa and Oggi speak about Kyiv bazaar—and useful tips how to buy food there. Oggi shares his impressions and gives compliments. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical.You’ll pick up simple survival lines:«Ya kupyv smetanu.» — “I bought sour cream”«Ovochi dlia borshchu.» — “Vegetables for borshch.”«Skilky tse koshtuye?» — “How much is this?”Follow Ukrainian Up Club
2.19. Grammar Time: Why Do We Need Cases? (Eng & Ukr)
In this episode, Alex tells us what Ukrainian cases are and how to use them smartly and easily. He explains in English, Larissa gives examples in Ukrainian. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical.You’ll pick up simple lines:«Slava Ukrayini!» — “Glory to Ukraine!”«Meni borshch zi smetanoyu.» — “I'll have borshch with sour cream.”«Ya liubliu Ukrayinu.» — “I love Ukraine.”Follow Ukrainia
2.18. Days of the Week Song (A1–A2)
In this episode, Larissa turns the Ukrainian days of the week into a catchy, feel-good song. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical. Sing along and learn the days, and even the numbers hiding inside the words.You’ll pick up simple lines:«Sereda — try» — “Wednesday — three.”«U ponedilok ya idu na robotu.» — “On Monday I go to work.”«U chetver ya p’yu kavu vrantsi.» — “On Thursday I drink coffee in
2.17. Zoryana & the Molfar (A2–B1)
Tonight we meet Zoryana, a brave kozachka, and the mysterious Molfar she first spots among enemies—until his secret changes everything and he saves the Cossacks. This narrated episode coaches you through appearance & clothing vocab (colors, styles, features).Today’s handy lines:«U nioho syni ochi.» — He has blue eyes.«Ya odiahla svoyu bilu sorochku» — I put on my white shirt.«Vin buv vysokym i
2.16. Ogirobot Meets Larissa (A1–A2)
In this episode, Larissa and Oggi look back on the day they met at Kyiv’s Maidan Nezalezhnosti—and share the tiny comic they made to remember it. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical.You’ll pick up simple survival lines:«Laskavo prosymo!» — “Welcome!”«Yak tebe zvaty? — Mene zvaty…» — “What’s your name? — My name is…”«Vybachte, bud' laska, de metro?» — “Excuse me, please, where is the metro?”
2.15. Welcome to Kyiv (А1–A2)
Meet Ogirobot—the cucumber robot who flew to Kyiv to learn Ukrainian. Larissa asks why he chose Ukraine, and he shares first shocks: marshrutky, domofon, and tricky addresses. A light, hopeful mini-episode for beginners.You’ll pick up simple survival lines:“I’m at your entrance now.”“Please pass this along.""Help me please, I'm lost."Follow Ukrainian Up Club
2.14. Ukraine's Independence Day (A2–B1)
In this episode, we celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day with a simple song full of hope and love. Together, we’ll learn the meaning of the lyrics line by line, practice Ukrainian in an easy way, and feel the spirit of freedom that connects us across borders.You’ll pick up natural lines:«Моя країна буде вільною завжди.» — “My country will always be free.”«У слові — оберіг, у серці — щастя.» — “In
2.13. Grammar Time: Fifty Essential Words for Travel (Eng & Ukr)
In this episode, Alex walks you through 50 essential Ukrainian travel words and phrases — the ones you’ll actually use on your trip. From greetings to hotels, markets, cafés, and emergencies, you’ll hear clear English explanations from Alex and slow, simple Ukrainian from Larissa. Beginner-friendly, practical, and made for real-life travel.You’ll pick up useful lines like:«Skil'ky tse koshtuye
2.11. Jokes Google Can’t Translate (A1–A2)
In this episode, Larissa and Alex decode why your feed keeps saying “varenyky floor,” “loud cotton,” or “go to Kobzon’s concert”—and how bad auto-translate + dark humor turn into Ukrainian memes. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical.You’ll pick up simple lines (and meme keys):«Pidloha varenyka» — really “varenyky floor.”«Bavovna» — “cotton” → cheeky “boom.”«Swan Lake» — TV shorthand for “the end
2.10. Mama Needs a Break (A2–B1)
Mom takes a vacation day… and Dad spends all day with their toddler daughter. Chaos, snacks, tears, triumph—this narrated episode walks you through daily-routine & clock-time vocab (wake-up, meals, naps, errands, bedtime).Today’s handy lines:«Ya tykho vmylasya, posnidala, pochustyla zuby...» — I quietly washed my face, had breakfast, brushed my teeth...«O chotyrnadtsyatiy vin tantsyuvav...» —
2.9. Grammar Time: Are You Pronouncing it Right? (Eng & Ukr)
In this episode, Alex and Larissa tackle the #1 hidden reason learners “can read Ukrainian… but can’t understand Ukrainians”: pronunciation. Alex explains in clear American English why sound matters. Larissa helps you train the key basics: clear syllables, vowel-to-vowel pronunciation (no “swallowing” sounds), the apostrophe and soft sign, and the famous Ukrainian rolled R. Practical, encouraging,
2.8. Ukrainian Foods & Drinks (B1–B2)
In this episode, Halyna and Oleksiy answer real listener questions about Ukrainian food — from borshch and varenyky to salo, bread culture, and that legendary honey cake medovyk. Oleksiy reads the questions, Halyna explains in clear Ukrainian, and they both add quick, human comments (because food is never “just food” in Ukraine). Each section is repeated twice for easier listening. Cozy, funny, an
2.7. Top 5 Ukrainian Films of All Time (A1–A2)
Larisa and Alex talk about old and modern Ukrainian films that are definitely worth watching. From a tragic mountain love story to a modern smuggling thriller, this list isn’t your average “cinema classics” roundup. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical.You’ll pick up simple lines:«Smishna narodna komediya.» — “A funny folk comedy.”«Pochnemo z p'yatoho mistsia…» — “We’ll start at number five…
2.6. Old Dog, New Love (A2–B1)
An old shelter dog wanders into the life of a disheartened woman—and quietly leads her back to hope, friendship, and a chance at love. This narrated episode guides you through feelings vocabulary (sadness, gratitude, fear, affection).Today’s handy lines:«Mene tse vzhe ne khvylyuvalo.» — I didn't care anymore.«Ty zalyshayesh mene zarady...» — You're leaving me for...«Vin usmikhnuvsya i pots
2.5. Grammar Time: "U mene ye" vs. "Ya mayu" (Eng & Ukr)
In this episode, Alex untangles two easy ways to say “have” in Ukrainian—natural «U mene ye…» and the verb form «Ya mayu…»—so you know when each shines. Larissa coaches your pronunciation line by line, moving from slow to natural speed. Beginner-friendly, cozy, and practical.You'll pick up handy lines:«U nas ye vilnyi stolyk.» — "We have a free table."«Ty mayesh brata?» — "Do yo
2.4. A Day in the Life of Larissa & Oleksandr (A1-A2)
In this episode, Larissa and a guest host Olexandr talk about everyday activities. Oleksandr shares his habits and little secrets, and Larisa talks about her favorite breakfasts. A live, simple episode for beginners.You’ll pick up new lines:“Ya liubliu yayeshniu.“Kava - nache vse.""Ty chasto pratsuiyesh na vykhidnyh?"Follow Ukrainian Up Club on Facebook, or
2.3. Easter in Ukraine (B1–B2)
In this episode, Halyna takes you through Easter in Ukraine — Великдень — as a warm, lively mix of traditions, family rituals, and small “magic” moments. You’ll hear how Ukrainians prepare during the week, what goes into the Easter basket, how eggs are decorated, and what the holiday table usually looks like. She also shares a simple at-home way to bring Ukrainian Easter vibes into your own space.
2.2. Five Sights You Need to See (B1-B2)
In this episode, Halyna and Oleksiy share a listener-picked Top 5 of Ukrainian places that foreign visitors truly loved—plus the exact details that made them say: “You have to go.” From Kyiv’s Sofia Cathedral and the Lavra (history you can feel), to Lviv’s cozy streets and skyline views, to Odesa’s sea vibe, Kamianets-Podilskyi’s fortress drama, and the peaceful park Sofiivka in Uman. Each spot co
2.1. The Mystery of the Red Shoes (A2–B1)
On her birthday, a woman gets an unexpected call—and everything flips. Red heels, a vanished plan, and a clue she didn’t see coming. This narrated episode coaches you through past-tense verbs (I got, I went, I saw, I understood).Today’s handy lines:«Ya vidkryla dveri i pobachyla korobku.» — I opened the door and saw a box.«Meni treba bulo hotuvatysya do vechirky.» — I had to get ready for the part
1. What's Ukrainian Up?
Meet Ukrainian Up — your new graded podcast for learning real Ukrainian step by step. In this trailer, Halyna and Alex introduce the show, explain how it works, and help you start speaking from day one. Slow pace, simple vocabulary, warm energy.You’ll hear natural lines like:«Pohovorymo ukrayinskoyu?» — “Shall we speak Ukrainian?”«Ya zhurnalistka z Kyyeva.» — “I'm a journalist from Kyiv.”«Diak
