Until With dok ne

Until Something Happens

Level 4

Dok ne can mark the event that ends a wait.

How It Works

The main situation continues up to the boundary named by the dependent verb. Dok ne završiš can locate that boundary at your finishing.

This use of ne is often called expletive negation: it contributes to the construction without reversing the boundary event’s meaning. It differs from ordinary negative statements such as ne dolaziš.

Not every dok ne-clause has this reading. An imperfective state can express an actual negative interval, so use the main verb, aspect and context together when translating.

Examples (3)

  1. Čekat ću dok ne dođeš.

    I will wait until you arrive.

    Arrival ends the waiting; ne does not negate the anticipated arrival.

  2. Ostat ćemo ovdje dok kiša ne prestane.

    We will stay here until the rain stops.

    Prestane names the boundary of the stay.

  3. Nemoj otići dok ne završim.

    Do not leave until I finish.

    The main prohibition lasts up to the finishing event.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Until With dok neLevel 4Until Something Happens

Learn This First

The negative particle participates in a temporal boundary construction rather than simply denying arrival.

Words in This Pattern