čakaj
The Slovenian word for "wait" is čakaj.
The verb is used to command or request that someone delay an action until a certain event occurs. For example, you can say Počakaj malo to mean "wait a moment".
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
Which one should you use?
The form čakaj is the singular imperative used for one person, while čakajte is used when addressing multiple people or when using a polite form of address with a single person. The form čakajme is the first-person plural imperative, used to suggest that a group including the speaker should wait.
How does it change in a sentence?
čakaj is the singular imperative used for a single person in an informal or familiar manner. čakajte serves as both the plural form and the polite singular form. čakajme is the form used for "let's wait", meaning the speaker is part of the group being addressed.
Did you know?
- The word čakaj is a linguistic relative of the Polish word czekać and the Czech čekat, showing a shared Slavic root for the act of waiting.
- If someone tells you počakaj in a sarcastic tone, it can be used as a warning that a consequence is coming, rather than a request for a delay.
- The Slovenian language uses the 'dual' number for many things, but for the command to wait, the speaker chooses between the singular čakaj and the plural/polite čakajte, bypassing the dual in common imperative usage.
Examples in context
- Molim vas, počakajte trenutek.Please wait a moment.
- Počakaj malo, moram nekaj preveritiWait a moment, I need to check something.
- Prav, bom počakal/počakalaAlright, I will wait.
- Čakaj, da pride avtobus.Wait until the bus arrives.
Example conversation
Zala and Rok are meeting at a cafe.
- ZalaRok, čakaj pred vhodom!Rok, wait in front of the entrance!
- RokKje si zdaj?Where are you now?
- ZalaPrisem čez dve minuti.I'll be there in two minutes.
- RokV redu, čakaj te.Okay, I'm waiting for you.
