Characteristics and patterns of Ukrainian language usage expressing social distance are analyzed, with examples given from current usage and, to a lesser extent, perspectives drawn from historical usage. It is concluded that Ukrainian has a rich morphological paradigm to express distance, primarily through diminutive morphology, which can transform noun gender, and the related interaction of morphology and pragmatics. In Ukrainian, diminutives are functionally heavily loaded, expressing empathy and sympathy, increasing familiarity, signalling cooperativeness, and thus reducing psychological distance between interlocutors. Physical distance is seen as less important in communication. (MSE)