čakaj
The English phrase wait is translated into Slovak as čakaj.
This verb is used to describe delaying an action until a certain event occurs or for a period of time. To express the act of waiting as a noun, use čakanie.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
Which one should you use?
While čakaj is used to describe waiting for a period of time or an event, the form počkaj is often used as an interjection meaning 'hold on' or 'wait a second' to interrupt someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form čakaj is singular and informal. For plural subjects or to be polite to a single person, use čakajte. If you want to say 'let's wait', use the first-person plural imperative čakajme. When waiting for a specific person or object, you must follow the verb with the preposition na and the accusative case, such as in čakaj na…
Did you know?
- If a Slovak speaker says počkaj with a specific rising intonation, it can function as an expression of disbelief or surprise, similar to saying 'wait, what?' in English.
- While čakaj is the general verb for 'wait', Slovak has a specific word vyčakať which describes the act of waiting out a storm or a difficult period until it ends.
- While čakaj means to wait, it can also be used in the phrase čakať na šťastie, which literally translates to 'waiting for happiness' but is often used idiomatically to mean 'hoping for the best'.
Examples in context
- Sadni si tu a čakaj.Sit here and wait.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use čakaj in a command to sit and wait.Tatoeba #9954698 by Dominika7, translation #9954696 by ddnktr
- Prosím, čakaj tu na mňa.Please wait here for me.This sentence shows how to use čakaj when requesting someone to wait for a person.Tatoeba #10082370 by Dominika7, translation #9391696 by CK
- Čakaj. Neviem ísť tak rýchlo.Wait. I can't walk that fast.This sentence illustrates using čakaj as a standalone command to tell someone to slow down.Tatoeba #9890536 by Dominika7, translation #3071858 by CK
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zuzana and Jakub are meeting at a train station.
- ZuzanaJakube, čakaj prosím pri vchode.Jakub, please wait by the entrance.
- JakubDobre, budem tu na teba čakať.Okay, I will wait for you here.
- ZuzanaČakaj tam, kým nájdem lístky.Wait there until I find the tickets.
- JakubŽiadny problém, neponáhaj sa.No problem, don't rush.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
