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чтобы. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
чтобы, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
чтобы in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
чтобы you have here. The definition of the word
чтобы will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
чтобы, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Russian
Alternative forms
Etymology
что (što) + бы (by)
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): (phonetic respelling: што́бы)
Conjunction
что́бы • (štóby) (+ past tense or the infinitive)
- that...should (indicates the subjunctive)
- so that, in order that; in order to
- Невозмо́жно, что́бы она́ э́то сде́лала ― Nevozmóžno, štóby oná éto sdélala ― It’s impossible that she should have done this; She could not possibly have done this.
- что́бы быть во́время ― štóby bytʹ vóvremja ― in order to be on time.
- lest
- что́бы я не забы́л ― štóby ja ne zabýl ― lest I forget; so that I won’t forget.
Usage notes
- After чтобы, an infinitive is used if a subject is not specified. Он позвонил мне, чтобы сказать, что любит меня. (He phoned me in order to say that he loves me).
- The past tense is used when a subject is specified. Я хочу, чтобы ты позвонил мне. (I want you to phone me). Even though the verb is in the past tense, it still refers to the future.
- To put the construction in past tense, the first clause is changed to past tense. Я хотел, чтобы ты позвонил мне вчера. (I wanted you to phone me yesterday).
- Чтобы is normally used with perfective verbs, but imperfective verbs will be used if there is a request not to do something.
Related terms