LIVE FORUMS / ARCHIVES / 2009

Witamy in PolishForums Archive :

Archives / 2009 / General Language /

posts: 38

Już and jeszcze

page 1 of 2: 1 2 Next »

tonywobThreads: 7 Posts: 51 Joined: Jun 14, 09	Jun 14, 09, 20:29 / #
Hi, I'm having trouble understanding the meaning of "już" and "jeszcze". I understand so far that jeszcze means the verb is still on going, like English "still", e.g. Jeszcze czytam ksiażkę -> I am still reading the book and also "even" Ta ksiażka jest jeszcze lepsza -> This book is even better. However, I can't get when to use "już". According to the translator and my grammar book, it means "already and yet". But I'm seeing used in all sorts of phrases that don't seem to make sense, e.g. To ja "już" wybieram kino. Can anyone point me in the right direction of an article or good explanation on the usages, etc..? Thanks

ZiemowitThreads: 10 Posts: 1,063 Joined: May 8, 09	Jun 14, 09, 20:58 / #
In the example "to ja już wybieram kino/to ja już wolę iść do kina", the use of "już" is quite specific. It means that of all other options previously mentioned, the speaker is ready to choose "kino", but he is not happy with this choice either. Here, the "już" has nothing to do with its basic meaning of "already/yet".

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Jun 14, 09, 21:38 / #
"Jeszcze tego nie zrobiłem/zrobiłam" = "I haven't done it yet" jeszcze (negative)=yet "Nadal/wciąż/jeszcze czytam" = "I'm still reading" jeszcze (affirmative)=still "Już skończyłem/skończyłam" = "I have already finished" już (affirmative)=already "Ta ksiażka jest jeszcze lepsza" = "This book is even better" jeszcze (affirmative)=even "Jeszcze" (=even) in the last example also means "nawet/wręcz". I hope that helps :)

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Jun 15, 09, 05:46 / #
tonywob: To ja "już" wybieram kino. right now.. get on... kind of like "let's do this already!"

michalekThreads: - Posts: 59 Joined: Jun 14, 09	Jun 15, 09, 10:22 / #
tonywob: But I'm seeing used in all sorts of phrases that don't seem to make sense, e.g. To ja "już" wybieram kino. it means that you have other options to choose (like going to the theater). but you know that both are boring for you. so now you say "To ja juz wybieram kino"... you don't want to go there but it's better than going to the theater :)

tonywobThreads: 7 Posts: 51 Joined: Jun 14, 09	Jun 15, 09, 14:41 / #
Brilliant, thanks for the help. It's starting to make sense now :-) So "juz" in this context, is kind of like the "already" in the American expression, "Let's just go to the cinema already", when given a choice of things to do.

Cardno85Threads: 33 Posts: 858 Joined: Jul 11, 08 MEMBER	Jun 15, 09, 14:59 / #
So I am now confused. What about when you ask for one more? Is that not Jeszcze jedno? So where does it change to "another"

Lyzko	Jun 15, 09, 15:05 / #
"Jeszcze jedno" = One more (lit. 'still one') "Już nie" = no more, no longer (lit. 'already not'), for example "Już go nie ma." = He's not here any more/He's no longer here etc.. Marek

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Jun 16, 09, 01:39 / #
" Daj mi jeszcze jedno jabłko" = "Give me another apple" or "Give me one more apple" "Jeszcze go nie ma" = "He is not here yet" :)

Lyzko	Jun 16, 09, 14:29 / #
Jeszcze mam więcej czas. = I still have more time. Piję jeszcze jedno Żywiec! = I'll have another Żywiec! Marek :-)

michaltk	Jun 16, 09, 15:56 / #
Piję jeszcze jedno Żywiec! = I'll have another Żywiec! -- I don't think so. It sounds more like I’m still drinking that beer. Since pije is a present continuous verb… I think it'd be better if u'd say 'Wypije jeszcze jedno/ jednego Zywiec/Zywca' which makes more sense here.

Lyzko	Jun 16, 09, 16:25 / #
I should have realized:-)

pgtxThreads: 49 Posts: 6,327 Joined: Feb 14, 09 MEMBER	Jun 16, 09, 16:36 / #
michaltk: 'Wypije jeszcze jeden/ jednego Zywiec/Zywca'

michaltk	Jun 16, 09, 17:05 / #
well... i'd rather say jednego zywca than jeden zywiec... but it's all the same anwyays.

michalekThreads: - Posts: 59 Joined: Jun 14, 09	Jun 16, 09, 17:17 / #
'wypije jeszcze jeden żywiec' sounds strange

frdThreads: 8 Posts: 1,956 Joined: Feb 3, 09	Jun 16, 09, 17:44 / #
'wypije jeszcze jednego żywca' sounds better : o

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Jun 16, 09, 19:59 / #
"Jeszcze mam więcej czas" = This sounds awfully clumsy in Polish "Mam jeszcze czas" / "Jeszcze mam czas" = "I still got time" or " I still have time" is correct "Mam więcej czasu" = "I have more time" or "I got more time" "Piję jeszcze jedno Żywiec" = Clumsy in Polish "Napiję sie jeszcze jednego Żywca" = "I'll have another Żywiec" or "Wezmę jeszcze jednego Żywca" = "I'll take another Żywiec" or "Dla mnie jeszcze jeden Żywiec" = "Another Żywiec" (for me)" / "One more Żywiec (for me)" "Poproszę jeszcze jednego Żywca" = "Another Żywiec, please" :)

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09	Jun 16, 09, 20:05 / #
but you can encounter colloquial -' Pijesz jeszcze jednego żywca?' - Will you have another żywiec

MarekThreads: 4 Posts: 1,120 Joined: Feb 15, 07	Jun 16, 09, 23:32 / #
Gab, You seem to know almost as much Polish as Gumishu. How's that? Are you Polish too? :-)

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Jun 17, 09, 23:05 / #
Yes, Polish is my native language :)

Lyzko	Jun 17, 09, 23:49 / #
I thought so:-) Thanks ever so much for straightening me out about the "WYpiję jeszcze jedNEGO ŻywCA". vs. what I wrote. ))))))))

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Jun 18, 09, 23:34 / #
Sure :) I'm glad I could help :)

hawzhnThreads: - Posts: 1 Joined: Jun 18, 09	Jun 18, 09, 23:37 / #
Hello Gab can You help me

Lyzko	Jun 19, 09, 17:12 / #
Piję_______ = I drink...... (all the time) vs. Wypiję_________ = I'll drink right now. Is this correct then?:-)! Marek

frdThreads: 8 Posts: 1,956 Joined: Feb 3, 09	Jun 19, 09, 17:19 / #
Lyzko: Thanks Glad I could help : o

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Edited by: Gab Jun 19, 09, 19:52 / #
Hi Marek, "Piję" e.g. "Piję kawę" = "I'm drinking coffee" (Present Progressive - now) "Piję" e.g. "Piję kawę 3 razy w tygodniu" = "I drink coffee 3 times a week" (Present Simple) Also Present Simple (habitual meaning): "Pijam kawę 3 razy w tygodniu" (it sounds kind of old-fashioned, but is also correct) "Wypiję" as in "Wypiję kawę i pójdziemy do sklepu" = "I'll finish/have coffee and we''ll go to the store" "Dopiję kawę i pójdziemy do sklepu" = "I'll finish coffee and we''ll go to the store" (if you have a little coffee left in your cup, like 2 sips) or: "Dokończę kawę i pójdziemy do sklepu" = "I'll finish coffee and we''ll go to the store" "Napiję się" as in "Napiję sie kawy i pójdziemy do sklepu" = "I'll have coffee and we''ll go to the store" "Czego się napijesz?" = "What would you like (to drink)? / What are you going to have?" = Answer 1: "Napiję się kawy" = "I'll have coffee" Answer 2: "Poproszę kawę" = "I'd like coffee, please" or simply "Coffee, please" Answer 3 : "Dla mnie kawa" = "(For me) Coffee, please" (you wouldn't say "please" = "proszę" in Polish, but it's implied) :)

Lyzko	Jun 19, 09, 21:00 / #
All makes perfect sense as you've explained it. You must have spent lots of time here in the States, Gab. You're English is unusually good. As we struggle valiantly with the Polish aspects, sure most of ya'll get ever so mixed up with the English tenses, a different sort of nightmare-:)! ))))))) Marku

GabThreads: - Posts: 154 Joined: Apr 10, 08	Jun 19, 09, 21:26 / #
I think foreign language learners encounter many problems learning target languages whether it's grammar, pronunciation or whatever. For Polish learners of English it's certainly pronunciation, verb tenses and articles (as Polish doesn't have them), idioms and phrasal verbs. I almost forgot: prepositions. Other than that it's OK I guess.

Lyzko	Jun 20, 09, 14:26 / #
Other than that it's OK, I guess. :-)))))...sort of like saying "We had a party yesterday. The guests barely showed, the food was spoiled and the few who came, left early. Aside from that, it was great! LOL After English pronunciation, tenses, articles, idioms, and of course, prepositions, Gab, frankly, what's left??! Marek

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09	Jun 20, 09, 17:01 / #
Lyzko: After English pronunciation, tenses, articles, idioms, and of course, prepositions, Gab, frankly, what's left??! Marek nouns and infinitives ;) me work good ;)

page 1 of 2: 1 2 Next »

Go UP

Using państwo and surnames.

Learning Polish Quickly

Random: Polish chef jailed for double rape in Leeds.

Archives / 2009 / General Language /

posts: 38

This forum is archived (read-only).

© 2005-2010 PolishForums.com | PolishForums LIVE | Archives | Random | Statistics