bodaj by
May It Be: Bodaj by
Bodaj by + the l-form of the verb wishes for something: Bodaj by to bola pravda (If only it were true). The words for the person (som, si, sme, ste) follow by, just as in the conditional.
How It Works
The pattern. Bodaj by + the l-form of the verb, as in the conditional. The word for the person comes right after by:
- Bodaj by som vyhral! (I really hope I win!)
- Bodaj by si mal pravdu! (I hope you're right!)
- Bodaj by sa ti darilo! (May things go well for you!)
- Bodaj by sme sa ešte stretli. (I hope we meet again.)
- Bodaj by ste boli zdraví! (May you be healthy!)
Meaning and tone. The Short Dictionary of Slovak (KSSJ) labels bodaj as an expressive particle that introduces a wish, with the meaning of kiež. Bodaj by sounds warmer and more folksy than kiežby. It is common in blessings and good wishes. It also appears in old folk curses such as Bodaj to parom vzal!, which you will meet in literature.
A fixed reply. Bodaj by nie! confirms something strongly: Of course! You bet!
Examples (5)
- Bodaj by sa ti darilo!
May things go well for you!
Word by Word: May would self to-you succeeded!
- Bodaj by to bola pravda.
If only it were true.
Word by Word: May would it was truth.
- Bodaj by si mal pravdu!
I hope you're right!
Word by Word: May would you-are had truth!
Si shows that the wish is about "you".
- Bodaj by už prestalo pršať.
If only it would stop raining.
Word by Word: May would already stopped to-rain.
- Pôjdeš s nami? — Bodaj by nie!
Are you coming with us? — You bet!
Word by Word: You-will-go with us? — May would not!
Bodaj by nie is a fixed, enthusiastic yes.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense after bodaj by.
Bodaj by sa ti darí!Bodaj by sa ti darilo!Bodaj by needs the l-form of the verb, as in the conditional: darilo, not darí.
Leaving out si when wishing something for "you".
Bodaj by mal pravdu! (said to a friend)Bodaj by si mal pravdu!Without si, the sentence means "I hope he's right". To wish it for "you", add si after by.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before May It Be: bodaj by, learn If Only: kiežby. bodaj by expresses a wish, like kiežby.
Related Patterns
- The Conditional Mood
Bodaj by uses the same verb forms as the conditional.
Level 3 - Past Forms by Gender and Number
The verb after bodaj by agrees in gender and number: mal, mala, mali.
Level 2 - nech + Present TenseLet Him or Her: Nech
Nech is another way to express a wish or permission, with the present tense.
Level 3 - abySo That: Aby
Like bodaj by, aby is followed by the l-form.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice bodaj by in Bubblegum
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