żeby

Definitions

1. 1.
   creates a subordinate clause expressing desire or wish; to, so that, for that, in order to

   • Chcę, żebyś ciężej pracował!

     I want you to work harder!

2. 2.
   creates a subordinate clause in which the speaker believes the following event would be good; to, that, had better, may

   • Żeby mnie nie zabiło!

     I hope that it doesn't kill me!

3. 3.
   creates a subordinate clause expressing aim or purpose, one's goal; to, so that, for that, in order to

   • Czytam, żeby się uczyć.

     I am reading (in order) to learn.

4. 4.
   creates a subordinate clause expressing expressing means by which something is achieved; to, so that, for that, in order to
5. 5.
   creates a subordinate clause in which one states the possibility of something depends on something else; to, so that, for that, in order to

   • Zjadłem za dużo, żeby teraz biegać.

     I ate too much to run right now.

6. 6.
   creates a subordinate clause expressing the speaker's position on the truthfulness of a given situation

   • Żebyś wiedział!

     You bet!

7. 7.
   creates a subordinate clause expressing doubt; that, if

   • Nie wiem, żeby...

     I don't know if he...

8. 8.
   creates a subordinate clause expressing the speakers doubt with relation to the goodness of a given event; roughly, to think that

   • żeby też

     to think that

   • ale żeby

     but to (think that)

9. 9.
   creates a subordinate clause in which the speaker thinks something else should be reality rather than what truly is; so that, may; if only
10. 10.
    colloquialcreates a subordinate clause emphasizing that the speaker thinks the contents of their statement are apt

    • żeby nie wiem co

      you'd better believe it

11. 11.
    colloquialcreates a subordinate clause that expresses a lack of results; for the sake of

    • gadać, żeby gadać

      to talk for the sake of talking

12. 12.
    literaryintroduces a subordinate clause relating a following event with a previous one that is not caused by the first event; just to, only to

    • Uciekał przez trzy lata, żeby skończyć w więzieniu.

      He ran away for three years just to end up in prison.

13. 13.
    colloquialintroduces a second action co-occurring with another; to

    • żeby tak powiedzieć

      as it were/so to speak/I'll add

14. 14.
    colloquialcreates a subordinate clause expressing consequences; or else

Synonyms & related words

Forms