stój
The English word stop can be translated into Polish as stój.
Stój is specifically used as a command to halt physical movement or to stay in a fixed position.
Meaning: not to continue (verb)
Which one should you use?
While stój is used to command someone to stop moving or to halt, przestać is used for the cessation of an action or a habit.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural imperative form of stój is stójcie, used when addressing more than one person.
Did you know?
- If you are driving and see a 'Stop' sign in Poland, it will not say stój. Traffic signs use the word STOP (often in English) or specific Polish regulatory terms, as stój would be grammatically jarring on a sign.
- If a Polish speaker wants to say 'stop it' as in 'enough already', they will never use stój, but instead use dość, which literally means 'enough'.
- While stój is a command, the Polish word for a 'stop' or 'halt' in a military context is often integrated into the phrase stój, kto idzie!, meaning 'halt, who goes there!'
Examples in context
- Stój!Stop!This is useful for practicing the command stój.Tatoeba #5190356 by gin, translation #448320 by CM
- Stój! Złodziej!Stop! Thief!This demonstrates using stój to shout at a thief.Tatoeba #8617177 by arie, translation #1173317 by cntrational
- Stój albo strzelę.Stop, or I'll shoot.This shows the use of stój in a threatening command.Tatoeba #559522 by Bilberry, translation #246314 by CK
- Przepraszam, czy mógłby Pan przestać hałasować w bibliotece?Excuse me, could you stop making noise in the library?
- Stój, nie przebiegaj przez ulicę bez patrzenia!Stop, don't cross the street without looking!
Example conversation
Tomasz is walking too fast and Małgorzata wants him to wait.
- TomaszIdę szybko do sklepu.I am going quickly to the store.
- MałgorzataStój! Zapomniałeś portfela.Stop! You forgot your wallet.
- TomaszOjej, dziękuję bardzo.Oh, thank you very much.
- MałgorzataNie ma za co.You're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
