Jones, True enough. I think it valuable as well to mention in addition to those other languages you named, that all too often the double-standard of 'practicing' vs. 'speaking' a language rears its head. Frequently, in certain countries, e.g. Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands etc., the inhabitants will rarely give a non-native, even if fluent in their language, as much as a chance to speak, yet will instantly switch to English. When this happened to yours truly, I responded "Oh, fine! So, you'd like to practice your English as well?", I was met with a smug, cold irritation: "Practice?! I think I speak English quite well, thank you very much!"
My answer: "Yes, and you seem to be a majority of one." The person was speechless.
Mind you, both Chinese and Arabic have so many dialects that I do not know how you would have enough years to live in order to master them all properly.
I am currently following a beginners' Polish course and have just learn the following phrase, "Mogę Panu dać.....?" which I am told means "I can give you....."
When I have looked up the verb "dać" in the dictionary, it says it means "to supply" or "to allow". I have looked up the verb "to give" and the dictionary gives the verb, "dawać".
My question is, which verb is most suited for the sentence, "Can I give you..." for example, "Can I give you 10 dollars?" Is it better to you "Mogę Panu dać.....? or "Mogę Panu dawać.....?"
Moge panu dac... Don't know the proper grammatical way to explain this but you would use this form if you are referring to giving the 10 dollars ONE time.
Can I give you 10 dollars (now): Moge panu dac 10 dolarow? Can I give you 10 dollars (every Friday for example): Moge panu dawac... I'm sorry if this is confusing! Hope it helps.
it's like when you say: rób to (which comes from robić which is imperfect) it's like you were saying keep doing it zrób to (which comes from zrobić which is perfect) it's like you were saying do this NOW
it's a bit awkward with daj and dawaj, but i suppose it makes sense when you translate it like this: daj to - give it dawaj to - keep giving it but here both of those forms can be understood as give it NOW, and dawaj is actually stronger and sorta more aggressive than daj
so if I was asking for a hammer, one could be seen as the weaker 'pass me the hammer (when you've got a mo)' and the other as 'Give me the bloody hammer'?
do you have one in bubble wrap? :) Interesting stuff J. This kind of thing facinates and infuriates to the same degree. It's why languages are great fun and natives so vital. You can't find this kind of thing in the library. :)
Powiadzialem - I said. I think this might be the one to use when recalling what someone said. There is the future form as well, but I'm already beyond my depth with the past and present.
Przeczytałem książkę -I read the book, and finished it. So it is a done thing, completed.
Czytałem książkę - I was reading a book but didn't necessarily finish it, yet.
Generally I find that any expression in English that has "...ing" in the verb will use the imperfective verb aspect in Polish; running, swimming, jumping etc.
