PolishForums LIVE  /  Archives [3]    
   
Archives - 2010-2019 / Language  % width 5

The correct usage for the word "since"


chaza  50 | 253  
10 Jul 2010 /  #1
can anyone tell me the correct usage for the word since. i have two.
ponieważ
odkąd
both mean since, but in what context. by the reading on these words i suspect it is odkąd.
but i stand corrected

chaza
frd  7 | 1379  
10 Jul 2010 /  #2
It should be odkąd - when you are talking about the time. fi:
Since he came so much has happaned (...)
Odkąd przyjechałem tyle się wydarzyło...

And in places where you could change it to because - it can be ponieważ.
Since you asked politely then I will tell you (...)
Ponieważ grzecznie spytałeś powiem ci...

At least that's how I see it, might be wrong though ; o
cinek  2 | 347  
12 Jul 2010 /  #3
It should be odkąd - when you are talking about the time. fi:
Since he came so much has happaned (...)
Odkąd przyjechałem tyle się wydarzyło...

You can also use 'od' in that context in sentences like:

I've been working on it since yesterday.
Pracuję nad tym od wczoraj.

The use of od/odkąd depends on how you express the moment in time something has been (being) done since. If you use a noun then in Polish you use 'od' but if you use some descriptive expression (another setence) then in polish it'd be 'odkąd'. e.g.:

since yesterday - od wczoraj
since last Summer - od zeszłego lata

but:

since he came - odkąd przyjechał
since the bought the new car - odkąd kupił sobie ten nowy samochód...

odkąd = od kiedy

e.g.:

since I met you - od kiedy cię poznałem

And in places where you could change it to because - it can be ponieważ.

Yes. Also you can use 'bo', 'dlatego, że' etc.

Cinek
OP chaza  50 | 253  
12 Jul 2010 /  #4
oh that has put the brakes on a bit, i understand bo to mean'because', dlatego to mean ' for that' and zę to mean 'that'. have i misunderstood.

chaza
cinek  2 | 347  
12 Jul 2010 /  #5
i understand bo to mean'because', dlatego to mean ' for that' and zę to mean 'that'. have i misunderstood.

No, just the meaning may depend on the context and there's no one to one translation for those words that always works.

Cinek

Archives - 2010-2019 / Language / The correct usage for the word "since"Archived