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няхай. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
няхай, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
няхай in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
няхай you have here. The definition of the word
няхай will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
няхай, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Belarusian
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Old Ruthenian нехай (nexaj, “let”), the second person singular imperative of Old Ruthenian нехати (nexati, “to leave be, to let go, to abandon”). Compare Czech nechť, Polish niechaj, Serbo-Croatian neka, Ukrainian неха́й (nexáj).
Pronunciation
Particle
няха́й • (njaxáj)
- may, let (expressing a wish)
- Няха́й ву́чыцца, калі́ хоча. ― Njaxáj vúčycca, kalí xóča. ― Let him study if he wants to.
- Няха́й бу́дзе так. ― Njaxáj búdzje tak. ― Let it be so.
- Няха́й бу́дзе, што бу́дзе ― Njaxáj búdzje, što búdzje ― Come what may
Conjunction
няха́й • (njaxáj)
- although, though, even (if), may
- Зада́ча няха́й ця́жкая, але́ выкана́льная. ― Zadáča njaxáj cjážkaja, aljé vykanálʹnaja. ― The task may be difficult, but it is doable. (literally, “The task though difficult, but (it is) doable.”)
Descendants
- (from the хай component): Yiddish: כאַלט (khalt)
References
- “няхай” in Belarusian–Russian dictionaries and Belarusian dictionaries at slounik.org
- “няхай”, in Skarnik's Belarusian dictionary (in Belarusian), based on Kandrat Krapiva's Explanatory Dictionary of the Belarusian Language (1977-1984)