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Sreznevsky, Izmail I. (1893) “же”, in Матеріалы для Словаря древне-русскаго языка по письменнымъ памятникамъ [Materials for the Dictionary of the Old East Slavic Language Based on Written Monuments] (in Russian), volume 1 (А – К), Saint Petersburg: Department of Russian Language and Literature of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, column 847
После у́жина она́ сра́зу же легла́ спать. ― Posle úžina oná srázu že leglá spatʹ. ― After dinner she went straight to bed.
Marks an objection by pointing to the rationale behind said objection: after all, but
Почему́ вы не понима́ете? Это же ру́сский! ― Počemú vy ne ponimájete? Eto že rússkij! ― Why don't you understand? After all, it’s Russian!
-Я не знал, что за́втра экза́мен. -Я же тебе́ сказа́л! ― -Ja ne znal, što závtra ekzámen. -Ja že tebé skazál! ― -I didn't know the exam was tomorrow. -But I told you!
Especially in questions: expresses consequence of or reaction to what was said before: then, so
Что ж? ― Što ž? ― What then?
Что ж! ― Što ž! ― Well then!
Когда́ же? ― Kogdá že? ― When then?
Где же э́то? ― Gde že éto? ― Where is it then?
Ну что же? ― Nu što že? ― What of it, then?
Ну и что ж? ― Nu i što ž? ― Well, what of it? / So what?
Что ж из э́того? ― Što ž iz étovo? ― So what of it?
Что ж, он сам э́то сде́лает! ― Što ž, on sam éto sdélajet! ― Why, he'll just do it himself!