zwolnij
To slow down in Polish is zwolnij.
The term is used as an intransitive verb to describe the act of decelerating. Note that the infinitive zwolnić is polysemous. Depending on the context, it can mean to slow down or to free/release a person or a space.
Meaning: (''intransitive'') to decelerate (verb)
Which one should you use?
While zwolnij is the standard imperative for a single person, the form zwolnijcie should be used when addressing a group of people. In a different context, the infinitive zwolnić can mean both to slow down and to release or free.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is zwolnić. When using the past tense, the masculine singular form is zwolnił and the feminine singular form is zwolniła. The imperative zwolnij is used for one person, whereas zwolnijcie is used for a group.
Did you know?
- The verb zwolnić can also mean 'to be fired' from a job. If you tell your boss zwolnij mnie, you are not asking him to slow down, but asking him to terminate your employment.
- The word zwolnij is a linguistic relative of the word wolność, which means 'freedom'. Both stem from the root wolny, meaning 'free'.
- In Polish, the word for 'slow' is wolny, which is also the word for 'free' as in 'not occupied'. This means a 'slow' person and an 'available' seat use the same adjective.
Examples in context
- Zwolnij!Slow down!This is an exclamation for slowing down.Tatoeba #8617598 by arie, translation #3022436 by sharptoothed
- Zwolnij.Slow down.This is a simple command to slow down.Tatoeba #10600732 by polski_ren, translation #2187252 by CK
- Zwolnij, suko.Slow down, bitch.This is a command to slow down that includes an insult.Tatoeba #12077596 by jimbojim, translation #10728049 by Eccles17
- Proszę spowolnić, panie Kowalski. Niektórzy pracownicy mają kłopoty ze zrozumieniem prezentacji.Please slow down, Mr. Kowalski. Some employees are having trouble understanding the presentation.
- Tomek, możesz jechać wolniej? Nie chcę przegapić tego pięknego widoku.Tomek, can you drive slower? I don't want to miss this beautiful view.
Example conversation
Anna and Piotr are driving in a car together.
- AnnaZwolnij, bo jedziemy za szybko.Slow down, because we are going too fast.
- PiotrPrzepraszam, nie zauważyłem znaku.I'm sorry, I didn't notice the sign.
- AnnaProszę, po prostu zwolnij teraz.Please, just slow down now.
- PiotrDobrze, już zwalniam.Okay, I'm slowing down now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
