Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zostać | /ˈzɔ.stat͡ɕ/ | perfective |
| zostawać | /zɔˈsta.vat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
| pozostawać | /pɔ.zɔˈsta.vat͡ɕ/ /pɔ.zɔˈsta.vat͡ʂ/ (Middle, Polish) |
imperfective |
| pozostać | /pɔˈzɔ.stat͡ɕ/ /pɔˈzɔ.stat͡ɕ/ (Middle, Polish) |
perfective |
The primary meaning of these verbs is to remain in a particular place. The perfective form zostać can also be used to indicate that someone or something has been left behind after others have departed. Additionally, if zostać is followed by a noun in the instrumental case, it can mean 'to become', such as 'to become a doctor'.
Which one should you use?
The imperfective form zostawać is used for ongoing or repeated actions, such as being in the process of staying, whereas the perfective zostać is used for a single instance of staying or a completed change of state. For more formal or literary contexts, especially when describing remaining in a specific condition or state (like 'to remain in contact'), use the forms pozostawać (imperfective) or pozostać (perfective).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The perfective form zostać can mean 'to become' when it is followed by a noun in the instrumental case.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈzɔ.statɕ/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- Because zostać can mean 'to be left behind', it is used to describe the survivors of a tragedy or the remaining pieces of a broken object.
- The root of these words is tied to the concept of standing, connecting the act of 'staying' to the idea of 'standing' still.
- The structure of pozostać is a double-prefix construction, combining the prefix po- with the already prefixed verb zostać.
Examples in context
- Mam zostać czy iść?Should I stay or should I go?This example shows how to use zostać to ask about a choice between staying or going.Tatoeba #3514215 by Bilberry, translation #3185201 by CK
- Wolę zostać tu z tobą.I'd prefer to stay here with you.This sentence uses zostać to express a preference for staying in a location.Tatoeba #12454519 by Wojtanex, translation #10498484 by CK
- Sami powinna tu zostać.Sami should stay here.This sentence uses zostać to indicate that a specific person should stay in a place.Tatoeba #13371097 by cattoful, translation #7294818 by OsoHombre
- Proszę nie odchodzić. Zostań tu proszę.Please don't go. Stay here, please.
- Kiedy zostaniesz w Warszawie?When will you stay in Warsaw?
- Chcę zatrzymać się w tym hotelu.I want to stay at this hotel.
- Prosimy o pozostanie na miejscu.Please stay in place.
- Muszę pozostać tutaj do końca tygodnia.I need to stay here until the end of the week.
- Pozostańmy lojalni wobec naszych zasad.Let's stay loyal to our principles.
- Zostań tu dłużej, bawimy się świetnie!Stay here longer, we're having a great time!
- Chciałbym, żebyś został na kolację.I would like you to stay for dinner.
- Zostańmy w kontakcie po powrocie.Let's stay in touch after you come back.
- Gdzie zatrzymujecie się podczas podróży?Where are you staying during your trip?
- Możemy się u ciebie zatrzymać?Can we stay at your place?
- Oni zawsze się u niego zatrzymują, gdy przyjeżdżają do miasta.They always stay at his place when they come to town.
- Mogę przenocować u ciebie dzisiaj?Can I stay at your place tonight?
- 107 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Paweł are deciding whether to leave a party or stay a bit longer.
- AnnaChcesz już iść do domu?Do you want to go home already?
- PawełNie, chcę zostać jeszcze chwilę.No, I want to stay a little longer.
- AnnaZatem ja też zostanę.Then I will stay too.
- PawełSuper, to bawimy się dalej!Great, let's keep having fun!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stay” translations and entries zostać, zostawać, pozostawać, pozostać, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pozostawać, pozostać, zostawać, zostać, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
