čekaj
The English verb 'wait' is translated into Bosnian as čekaj.
The verb is used to express the action of delaying an activity or movement until a specific event occurs.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
Which one should you use?
čekaj is the singular imperative used for one person in an informal setting. čekajte is used when addressing multiple people or when using the polite 'you' (Vi). The form Pričekaj is also used for informal, casual conversations. sačekajte is a standard, polite way to say 'wait'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is čekati. The form čekaj is the imperative used for a single person in an informal context. To say 'wait a bit' or 'hold on a moment', you can add malo to the form to get čekaj malo.
Did you know?
- The phrase čekati na sreću translates to 'waiting for luck', but it is often used idiomatically to mean someone is living aimlessly or waiting for a miracle to happen.
- The word čekaš (you wait) can be used rhetorically in the phrase ma čekaj ti njega, which implies that someone is never coming and you are wasting your time.
- In casual speech, čekaj is often used as a conversational filler or an interjection to signal a sudden realization, similar to saying 'Wait a minute!' or 'Hold on!' in English.
Examples in context
- Čekaj!Wait!This sentence shows how to use čekaj as a command.Tatoeba #10198893 by bokalabocca, translation #1744314 by belgavox
- Čekaj.Wait.This sentence shows a neutral use of čekaj.Tatoeba #10198902 by bokalabocca, translation #3048304 by camilozeta
- Sačekajte trenutak, molim vas.Please wait a moment.
- Molim Vas da sačekate svoj red.Please wait your turn.
- Zamolila bih vas da sačekate dok se vlasnik ne vrati.I would kindly ask you to wait until the owner returns.
Example conversation
Selma and Tarik are planning their meeting at the cinema.
- SelmaMožemo li se vidjeti sutra?Can we meet tomorrow?
- TarikMože, ali čekaj me ispred bioskopa.Sure, but wait for me in front of the cinema.
- SelmaU redu, vidimo se onda.Okay, see you then.
- TarikČekaj me tamo u sedam.Wait for me there at seven.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
