Bulgarian

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Etymology

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From Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

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  • Audio:(file)
  • (stressed) IPA(key): [za]
  • (unstressed) IPA(key): [zə]

Preposition

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за (za)

  1. used to indicate the place someone or something is going to or toward; for, to
    Заминавам за Англия.
    Zaminavam za Anglija.
    I am leaving for England.
    Пътувам за Варна
    Pǎtuvam za Varna
    I am travelling to Varna.
    Кога е следващият влак за Лондон?
    Koga e sledvaštijat vlak za London?
    When's the next train for London?
  2. used to indicate an amount of time; for, in, during
    Ще остана тук за известно време.
    Šte ostana tuk za izvestno vreme.
    I'll stay here for a while.
    Отивам на почивка за няколко дни.
    Otivam na počivka za njakolko dni.
    I'm going on holiday for a few days.
    Ще свърша тази работа за един ден.
    Šte svǎrša tazi rabota za edin den.
    I shall do this work in a day.
    Той пробяга сто метра за единадесет секунди.
    Toj probjaga sto metra za edinadeset sekundi.
    He ran a hundred metres in eleven seconds.
    За последните пет години инфлацията се е покачила с 8%.
    Za poslednite pet godini inflacijata se e pokačila s 8%.
    During the last five years inflation has risen by 8%.
  3. used to indicate the time when something is arranged or intended to happen; for
    Сватбата е насрочена за следващия април.
    Svatbata e nasročena za sledvaštija april.
    The wedding is planned for next April.
    среща за 12 май
    srešta za 12 maj
    an appointment for May 12
  4. used to show the occasion when something happens; for
    Прибирам се за Коледа.
    Pribiram se za Koleda.
    I'm coming home for Christmas.
  5. used to indicate the order of occurrence of an action or event; for
    За пръв път в човешката история имаме изглед на цялото слънце.
    Za prǎv pǎt v čoveškata istorija imame izgled na cjaloto slǎnce.
    For the first time in human history we have a view of the entire Sun.
    За последен път, моля те, престани!
    Za posleden pǎt, molja te, prestani!
    For the last time, please stop!
  6. used to indicate the time that a statement refers to; for
    Това е всичко за сега/днес.
    Tova e vsičko za sega/dnes.
    That's all for now/today.
  7. used to indicate the part of something/somebody that is held, grasped, etc. or to show that something is attached to something else; by, to
    Той хвана лопатата за дръжката
    Toj hvana lopatata za drǎžkata
    He grasped the shovel by the handle.
    Тя го сграбчи за ръката.
    Tja go sgrabči za rǎkata.
    She grabbed him by the arm.
    Той завърза каишката на кучето за стълба.
    Toj zavǎrza kaiškata na kučeto za stǎlba.
    He tied the dog's leash to the post.
    държа се за перилата
    dǎrža se za perilata
    to hold on to the bannister/to hold the rail
  8. on the subject of somebody/something, in connection with somebody/something; about
    За какво си мислиш?
    Za kakvo si misliš?
    What are you thinking about?
    Тревожа се за нея.
    Trevoža se za neja.
    I'm worried about her.
    Тя ми разказа всичко за ваканцията си.
    Tja mi razkaza vsičko za vakancijata si.
    She told me all about her vacation.
    книги за птици
    knigi za ptici
    books about birds
    роман за Испания
    roman za Ispanija
    a novel about Spain
  9. used to indicate the person that a statement refers to; for, to
    За него е важно да има пари.
    Za nego e važno da ima pari.
    It's important for him to have money.
    Ще е по-добре за теб, ако си държиш устата затворена.
    Šte e po-dobre za teb, ako si dǎržiš ustata zatvorena.
    It will be better for you if you keep your mouth shut.
    Това е важно/интересно/полезно за нас.
    Tova e važno/interesno/polezno za nas.
    It is of importance/interest/use to us.
    Това е ново за мен.
    Tova e novo za men.
    This is quite new to me.
  10. used to indicate the person who should use or have something; for
    Има писно за теб.
    Ima pisno za teb.
    There's a letter for you.
    Това е книга за деца.
    Tova e kniga za deca.
    It's a book for children.
    Тази работа не е за мен.
    Tazi rabota ne e za men.
    That job is not for me.
  11. used to indicate the thing that something is meant to be used with; for
    Купихме нова маса за трапезарията.
    Kupihme nova masa za trapezarijata.
    We bought a new table for the dining room.
    Тези гуми за тази кола ли са?
    Tezi gumi za tazi kola li sa?
    Are these the tires for this car?
    Тази храна е за партито.
    Tazi hrana e za partito.
    This food is for the party.
  12. used to indicate the use of something; for
    инструмент за измерване на скорост
    instrument za izmervane na skorost
    an instrument for measuring speed
    машина за рязане на хляб
    mašina za rjazane na hljab
    a machine for slicing bread
    вода за пиене
    voda za piene
    drinking water
    четка за зъби
    četka za zǎbi
    toothbrush
  13. used to indicate purpose; for, to + infinitive
    За удоволствие ли учиш английски?
    Za udovolstvie li učiš anglijski?
    Are you learning English for pleasure?
    Тя се облича за вечеря.
    Tja se obliča za večerja.
    She's dressing for dinner.
    Катерици събираха орехи за зимата.
    Katerici sǎbiraha orehi za zimata.
    Squirrels were storing nuts for the winter.
    уча за изпити
    uča za izpiti
    to study for examinations
    Време е за вечеря.
    Vreme e za večerja.
    It’s time for dinner.
    Отивам за хляб.
    Otivam za hljab.
    I’m going to get bread.
  14. used to indicate a reason or cause; for
    Съдят го за убийство.
    Sǎdjat go za ubijstvo.
    He is being tried for murder.
    Тя ми подари часовник за рождения ми ден.
    Tja mi podari časovnik za roždenija mi den.
    She gave me a watch for my birthday.
    Той получи награда за храброст.
    Toj poluči nagrada za hrabrost.
    He got an award for bravery.
  15. in order to help somebody/something; for, of
    Какво мога да направя за Вас?
    Kakvo moga da napravja za Vas?
    What can I do for you?
    Работим за доброто на човечеството.
    Rabotim za dobroto na čovečestvoto.
    We are working for the good of humanity.
    Това е за твое добро.
    Tova e za tvoe dobro.
    This is for your own good.
    Те се биха и умряха за страната си.
    Te se biha i umrjaha za stranata si.
    They fought and died for their country.
    грижа се за някого
    griža se za njakogo
    to take care of someone
  16. in order to get (something); for
    Той дойде при мен за съвет.
    Toj dojde pri men za sǎvet.
    He came to me for advice.
    За повече информация се обадете на този номер.
    Za poveče informacija se obadete na tozi nomer.
    For more information, call this number.
  17. in support of somebody/something; for
    За или против предложението си?
    Za ili protiv predloženieto si?
    Are you for or against the proposal?
    Гласуваха за независимост на референдум.
    Glasuvaha za nezavisimost na referendum.
    They voted for independence in a referendum.
    За кой кандидат си?
    Za koj kandidat si?
    Which candidate are you for?
    Напълно съм за свободата на словото.
    Napǎlno sǎm za svobodata na slovoto.
    I am all for freedom of speech.
  18. used to indicate the person or thing toward which feelings, thoughts, etc., are directed; for
    Той жадуваше за слава.
    Toj žaduvaše za slava.
    He was hungry for fame.
    Те копнеят за дома си.
    Te kopnejat za doma si.
    They are longing for home.
    Жал ми е за него.
    Žal mi e za nego.
    I feel sorry for him.
    Безпокоят се за безопасността ѝ.
    Bezpokojat se za bezopasnostta ì.
    They are anxious for her safety.
  19. in exchange for something; for
    око за око и зъб за зъб
    oko za oko i zǎb za zǎb
    an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
    Копия са достъпни за два долара всяко.
    Kopija sa dostǎpni za dva dolara vsjako.
    Copies are available for two dollars each.
    Ще си купя обувки за 1000 лв.
    Šte si kupja obuvki za 1000 lv.
    I'll buy shoes for 1000 levs.
    Ще разменя тези две бутилки за онази.
    Šte razmenja tezi dve butilki za onazi.
    I'll swap these two bottles for that one.
  20. as an employee, member, player, etc., of something; for
    Тя работи за правителството
    Tja raboti za pravitelstvoto
    She works for the government.
    Той играе за Денвър.
    Toj igrae za Denvǎr.
    He plays for Denver.
  21. considering what can be expected from somebody/something; for
    Времето беше топло за този период от годината.
    Vremeto beše toplo za tozi period ot godinata.
    The weather was warm for the time of year.
    Тя е висока за възрастта си.
    Tja e visoka za vǎzrastta si.
    She's tall for her age.
    Той не е зле за начинаещ.
    Toj ne e zle za načinaešt.
    He's not bad for a beginner.
    Той яде за двама.
    Toj jade za dvama.
    He eats for two.
  22. used with certain verbs
    женя се/омъжвам се за някого
    ženja se/omǎžvam se za njakogo
    to marry someone
    сгоден/сгодена съм за някого
    sgoden/sgodena sǎm za njakogo
    to be engaged to someone
    За глупак ли ме мислиш?
    Za glupak li me misliš?
    Do you take me for a fool?
    Избраха я за капитан на отбора.
    Izbraha ja za kapitan na otbora.
    They chose her as the team captain.
    Той владее езика толкова добре, че лесно може да мине за германец.
    Toj vladee ezika tolkova dobre, če lesno može da mine za germanec.
    He speaks the language so well he could easily pass for a German.
    Той се смята за експерт по темата.
    Toj se smjata za ekspert po temata.
    He considers himself (as) an expert on the subject.
    отговарям за
    otgovarjam za
    to be responsible for/to be in charge of
  23. used in certain wishes
    За много години!
    Za mnogo godini!
    Many happy returns (of the day)!
    За твое здраве!
    Za tvoe zdrave!
    To your health!

See also

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Anagrams

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Macedonian

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Etymology

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Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

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Preposition

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за (za)

  1. for
    Купив подарок за брат ти.Kupiv podarok za brat ti.I bought a gift for your brother.
  2. about
    Веќе не зборуваме за тебе.Veḱe ne zboruvame za tebe.We're not talking about you anymore.
  3. in exchange for, at the price of

Mongolian

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Etymology

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This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “is it a cognate of Manchu ᠵᡝ (je)?”

Pronunciation

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  This entry needs pronunciation information. If you are familiar with the IPA then please add some!

Interjection

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за (za) (Mongolian spelling ᠵᠠ (ǰa))

  1. okay; alright

Russian

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Etymology

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Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

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Preposition

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за (za)

  1. [with accusative]
    1. (of motion) to
    2. (of time) during (close to в течение)
      за вре́мя пребыва́ния в Москве́za vrémja prebyvánija v Moskvéduring his stay in Moscow
      за после́дние два́дцать летza poslédnije dvádcatʹ letfor the past twenty years (lt. during the last twenty years)
      за́ три дня tri dnjain three days
    3. (of time, with до (do)) time before an event
      за две мину́ты до уро́каza dve minúty do uróka2 minutes (left) before the lecture
      за́ день до отъе́зда denʹ do otʺjézdaone day before departure
    4. for; to; by; after; over
      Он игра́ет за кома́нду А.On igrájet za komándu A.He's playing for team A.
      боро́ться за мирborótʹsja za mirto fight for peace
      Она́ рабо́тает за де́ньги.Oná rabótajet za dénʹgi.She works for money.
    5. instead of
      Сего́дня он чита́л ле́кцию за заболе́вшего колле́гу.Sevódnja on čitál lékciju za zabolévševo kollégu.Today he gave a lecture for a sick colleague.
    6. (of voting) in favor of
      Он проголосова́л за строи́тельство но́вой шко́лы.On progolosovál za stroítelʹstvo nóvoj škóly.He voted for the construction of a new school.
    7. (colloquial, dialectal) about
      Synonyms: о (o), об (ob), про (pro)
      думать за рабо́туdumatʹ za rabótuto think about work
      говорить за жизньgovoritʹ za žiznʹto speak about life
      1931, Isaac Babel, Odessa Stories:
      Беня знает за облаву
      Benja znajet za oblavu
      Benya knows about the police razzia
    8. (used in expressions)
      ра́доваться за кого́-либоrádovatʹsja za kovó-liboto rejoice for someone
      боя́ться за кого́-либоbojátʹsja za kovó-liboto be afraid for someone
      брать кого́-либо за́ рукуbratʹ kovó-libo rukuto take someone by the hand
      вести́ кого́-либо за́ рукуvestí kovó-libo rukuto lead someone by the hand
      Note the stress on за́ but not on руку in these expressions
  2. [with instrumental]
    1. (of location) behind; beyond; on the other side of
      За реко́й со́лнышко сади́тся.
      Za rekój sólnyško sadítsja.
      The sun is setting across the river
    2. at; while
      за обе́дом разгово́р шёл о теа́треza obédom razgovór šol o teátreat dinner the conversation turned to the theater
      за столо́мza stolómat the table
      за игро́йza igrójwhile playing
      за кни́гойza knígojwhile reading (specifically a book)
      за рабо́тойza rabótojwhile working
      за у́жиномza úžinomwhile eating dinner
      за чте́ниемza čténijemwhile reading (nothing specific implied)
      за рулёмza ruljómat the wheel (driving a vehicle)
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Serbo-Croatian

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Etymology

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Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za. Cognate with Old Armenian զ- (z-).

Pronunciation

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Preposition

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за (Latin spelling za)

  1. for (expressing a reason) [with accusative]
    гласати за некогаto vote for somebody
    продати нешто за 100 долараto sell something for a hundred dollars
    платити за радозналостto pay for one's curiosity
    бојати се за некогаto fear for somebody
    доћи кући за празникеto come home for the holiday season
  2. behind, in back of, at (without change of position, answering the question гдје̏/где̏) [with instrumental]
    сједити/седети за столомto sit at the table
    Иди за мном.Follow me. (Go behind me.)
  3. during [with genitive]
    за данаduring the day, during daylight
    за животаduring one's life
    за вр(иј)еме ратаduring the war
  4. to, toward [with accusative]
    цеста за Бечthe road to Vienna
    путовати за Бечto travel to Vienna
  5. in (in expressions with time) [with accusative]
    доћи опет за неколико данаto come back in a few days
    претрчати 100 метара за 9 секундиto run 100 meters in 9 seconds
  6. by [with accusative]
    узети за рукуto take by the hand
    ухватити за рукуto grab by the arm
    вући за ушиto pull by the ears
  7. for, as (with verbs denoting naming, appointing, declaring, considering etc) [with accusative]
    поставити некога за предс(ј)едникаto appoint somebody president
    држати некога за паметног чов(ј)екаto consider somebody a smart person
  8. after [with instrumental]
    један за другимone after another
    правити грешку за грешкомto make one error after another; to make errors repeatedly
    поновите за мном.Repeat after me.
  9. for [with instrumental]
    туговати за некимto grieve for somebody
    чезнути за срећомto yearn for happiness

Ubykh

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Ubykh cardinal numbers
 <  0 1 2  > 
    Cardinal : за (za)

Pronunciation

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Numeral

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за (za)

  1. one (1)

Udihe

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Pronunciation

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Numeral

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за (za)

  1. ten

References

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  • Irina Nikolaeva, Elena Perekhvalskaya, and Maria Tolskaya, Udeghe Texts

Ukrainian

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Etymology

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Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

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Preposition

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за (za)

  1. (with genitive case)
    1. indicating period when something happened or is happening: during, in
      за часі́в Гетьма́нщиниza časív Hetʹmánščynyduring the times of the Hetmanate
  2. (with accusative case)
    1. indicating movement to the other side of something: behind, beyond, over
      Со́нце зайшло́ за о́брій.Sónce zajšló za óbrij.The sun set over the horizon.
    2. indicating taking a standing or seated position next to something: at, to
      сі́сти за стілsísty za stilto sit down at a table
    3. indicating period when something happened or is happening: during, in, over
      за цей часza cej časduring this time
    4. indicating future time interval: in
      за митьza mytʹin a moment
    5. indicating time interval before an event:
      за ти́ждень до ї́хнього від'їздуza týždenʹ do jíxnʹoho vidʺjizdua week before their departure
    6. Indicating reason for positive or negative reaction or verdict: for
      Дя́кую за допомо́гу.Djákuju za dopomóhu.Thank you for your help.
      Я вдя́чний за ва́шу підтри́мку.Ja vdjáčnyj za vášu pidtrýmku.I am grateful for your support.
      нема́ за́ щоnemá ščodon't mention it, not at all
      Перепро́шую за по́ми́лку.Perepróšuju za pómýlku.Sorry for the mistake.
      Про́симо ви́бачення за незру́чності.Prósymo výbačennja za nezrúčnosti.We apologize for the inconvenience.
      засуди́ти кого́сь за (+ accusative)zasudýty kohósʹ zato convict somebody of; to condemn somebody for
      критикува́ти кого́сь за (+ accusative)krytykuváty kohósʹ zato criticize somebody for
      хвали́ти кого́сь за (+ accusative)xvalýty kohósʹ zato praise somebody for
      «За військову доблесть»Za vijsʹkovu doblestʹ”"For Military Valour"
    7. past
      дале́ко за пі́внічdaléko za pívničwell/way past midnight
      Йому́ було дале́ко за вісімдеся́т.Jomú bulo daléko za visimdesját.He was well past eighty years old.
    8. measuring distance: away
      за два кро́ки від готе́люza dva króky vid hotéljutwo steps away from the hotel
    9. indicating place of holding: by
      трима́ти кого́сь за ру́куtrymáty kohósʹ za rúkuto hold somebody by the hand
      схопи́ти кого́сь за го́рлоsxopýty kohósʹ za hórloto grab somebody by the throat
    10. indicating advocacy, support, etc.: for, in favour of
      голосува́ти за кого́сьholosuváty za kohósʹto vote for somebody
      Він ви́словився за збі́льшення ви́трат на а́рмію.Vin výslovyvsja za zbílʹšennja výtrat na ármiju.He spoke in favour of spending more on the army.
    11. indicating focus of feelings: for, about, of
      Я хвилю́юся за те́бе.Ja xvyljújusja za tébe.I'm worried for you.
      Вони́ боя́ться за свою́ безпе́ку.Voný bojátʹsja za svojú bezpéku.They fear for their safety.
      Їй со́ромно за поведі́нку батькі́в.Jij sóromno za povedínku batʹkív.She is ashamed of her parents' behaviour.
    12. indicating exchange value: for
      Я працю́ю за гро́ші.Ja pracjúju za hróši.I work for money.
      Ми купи́ли його́ за ти́сячу гри́вень.My kupýly johó za týsjaču hrývenʹ.We bought it for a thousand hryvnia.
      за висо́ку ціну́za vysóku cinúfor a high price
      за бе́зціньza bézcinʹfor a pittance, for a song, for next to nothing
    13. indicating responsibility: for
      відповіда́ти за (+ accusative)vidpovidáty zato be responsible for
      нести́ відповіда́льність за (+ accusative)nestý vidpovidálʹnistʹ zato bear responsibility for
    14. indicating allegiance, interest, moral cause, etc.: for
      боре́ць за свобо́дуborécʹ za svobódufreedom fighter (literally, “fighter for freedom”)
      Вона́ гра́є за на́шу кома́нду.Voná hráje za nášu komándu.She plays for our team.
      Вони́ вою́ють за свою́ батьківщи́ну.Voný vojújutʹ za svojú batʹkivščýnu.They are fighting for their homeland.
      Оди́н за всіх і всі за одного́!Odýn za vsix i vsi za odnohó!One for all and all for one!
      за ва́ше здоро́в'я!za váše zdoróvʺja!To your health!
    15. as, for (somebody or something else)
      ви́дати себе́ за (+ accusative)výdaty sebé zato pass oneself off as, to pose as
    16. than
      Ки́їв бі́льший за Ха́рків.Kýjiv bílʹšyj za Xárkiv.Kyiv is bigger than Kharkiv.
      скорі́ш за всеskoríš za vsemost likely (literally, “sooner than anything”)
      перш за всеperš za vsefirst of all
  3. (with instrumental case)
    1. indicating position on the other side of something: behind, over
      за кордо́номza kordónomabroad (literally, “over the border”)
      за кулі́самиza kulísamybehind the scenes
    2. indicating standing or seated position next to something: at, behind
      сиді́ти за столо́мsydíty za stolómto sit at a table
      сиді́ти за кермо́мsydíty za kermómto sit at/behind the steering wheel
    3. indicating following, supervision, tracking, etc.:
      слі́дом за (+ instrumental)slídom zafollowing, after
      слі́дувати за (+ instrumental)slíduvaty zato follow
      слідкува́ти за (+ instrumental)slidkuváty zato follow, to track
      спостеріга́ти за (+ instrumental)sposteriháty zato watch
      сте́жити за (+ instrumental)stéžyty zato watch
      догляда́ти за (+ instrumental)dohljadáty zato look after
    4. indicating succession: after, by
      день за днемdenʹ za dnemday after day, day by day
      крок за кро́комkrok za krókomstep by step
      село́ за село́мseló za selómvillage after village, village by village
    5. indicating objectives and wants: for
      посла́ти за лі́каремposláty za líkaremto send for a doctor
      Вони́ зверну́лися за допомо́гою до вла́ди.Voný zvernúlysja za dopomóhoju do vlády.They turned to the authorities for help.
      Я ску́чила за тобо́ю.Ja skúčyla za tobóju.I've missed you. I have longed for you.
    6. indicating basis for assessment, judgement, knowledge: according to, by
      за оста́нніми да́нимиza ostánnimy dánymyaccording to the latest data
      за всіма́ озна́камиza vsimá oznákamyby all indications
    7. indicating basis for action: according to, in accordance with
      Synonyms: (with instrumental) згі́дно з (zhídno z), (with genitive) відпові́дно до (vidpovídno do)
      за зви́чаємza zvýčajemaccording to custom
      за тради́цієюza tradýcijejuaccording to tradition
    8. indicating parallel or simultaneous activity: while
      за чита́ннямza čytánnjamwhile reading
    9. in expressions indicating condition or circumstance: with, on
      за ви́нятком (+ genitive)za výnjatkomwith the exception of
      за допомо́гою (+ genitive)za dopomóhojuwith the help of
      за у́частю (+ genitive)za účastjuwith the participation of, involving
      за підо́зрою в (+ locative)za pidózroju von suspicion of

Adverb

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за (za)

  1. for (in favour)
    за і про́тиza i prótyfor and against
    ні за ні про́тиni za ni prótyneither for nor against
    «За» проголосува́ли сто депутатів.Za” proholosuvály sto deputativ.A hundred deputies voted "for".

Particle

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за (za)

  1. Used in the set expression що (то) за... (what a... what kind/sort of...)

Further reading

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