Signification
People who are nice and helpful
Contexte culturel
In villages, 'добрі люди' is often used to refer to the entire community as a moral entity. If you 'shame yourself before the good people,' it means you have lost your reputation in the village. Since 2014 and especially 2022, 'добрі люди' has become a synonym for the massive volunteer network in Ukraine. It's often used in fundraising appeals. The phrase has echoes in Orthodox Christianity, where 'goodness' is a divine attribute. Helping others is seen as a path to salvation, making 'kind people' a spiritually significant group. Ukrainian hospitality dictates that any 'good person' (guest) must be fed and given tea. The phrase is often used to welcome people into a home.
Use it for gratitude
If someone does you a small favor, saying 'Ви дуже добра людина' (singular) or 'Ви добрі люди' (plural) is much more heartfelt than just 'Дякую'.
Plural vs Singular
Remember that 'люди' is plural. If you are talking to one person, say 'Ви добра людина'.
Signification
People who are nice and helpful
Use it for gratitude
If someone does you a small favor, saying 'Ви дуже добра людина' (singular) or 'Ви добрі люди' (plural) is much more heartfelt than just 'Дякую'.
Plural vs Singular
Remember that 'люди' is plural. If you are talking to one person, say 'Ви добра людина'.
The 'Crowd' Appeal
If you are in a public place and need help, don't be afraid to use 'Люди добрі!'. It sounds traditional and usually gets a positive response.
Case Agreement
When using the proverb 'Світ не без добрих людей', remember that 'без' requires the Genitive case, so 'добрі люди' becomes 'добрих людей'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'добрий'.
У нашому селі живуть _____ люди.
The noun 'люди' is plural, so the adjective must be 'добрі'.
Which phrase is a common Ukrainian proverb?
...
This is a classic proverb meaning 'The world is not without kind people.'
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
— Я загубив гаманець, а цей чоловік його знайшов і повернув. — Ого! ...
This expresses the appropriate reaction to a stranger's kindness.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are addressing a crowd to ask for help with a heavy door.
Starting with 'Добрі люди' is a traditional way to appeal for help.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to find 'Добрі люди'
Community
- • Neighbors
- • Volunteers
- • Villagers
Situations
- • Lost
- • Need help
- • Charity
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesУ нашому селі живуть _____ люди.
The noun 'люди' is plural, so the adjective must be 'добрі'.
...
This is a classic proverb meaning 'The world is not without kind people.'
— Я загубив гаманець, а цей чоловік його знайшов і повернув. — Ого! ...
This expresses the appropriate reaction to a stranger's kindness.
You are addressing a crowd to ask for help with a heavy door.
Starting with 'Добрі люди' is a traditional way to appeal for help.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It depends more on your tone of voice.
Yes, but it's more common to use it for neighbors, strangers, or the community in general.
The singular is 'добра людина' (kind person).
They are very similar, but 'добрі' implies a deeper moral kindness, while 'хороші' is more about being pleasant.
Only if the email is very personal or about a charitable cause. Otherwise, use 'колеги' or 'партнери'.
You can say 'Світ повний добрих людей'.
Inverting the words (noun first) adds emotional emphasis and is common in traditional appeals.
Yes, but be careful. It's advanced usage and can sound very biting.
The opposite would be 'злі люди' (evil/mean people) or 'погані люди' (bad people).
Yes, versions of it exist in Polish (dobrzy ludzie) and Russian (добрые люди) with very similar meanings.
Expressions liées
Хороші люди
synonymNice/good people
Свої люди
contrastOur people / insiders
Золота людина
specialized formA golden person
Людоньки
similarDear people
Світ не без добрих людей
builds onThe world is not without kind people
