за

Bulgarian

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

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

Preposition

за • (za)

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?
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%.
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
used to show the occasion when something happens; for
Прибирам се за Коледа.
Pribiram se za Koleda.
I'm coming home for Christmas.
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!
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!

Anagrams

аз (az)

Macedonian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [za]

Preposition

за • (za)

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

Mongolian

Etymology

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

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

Interjection

за • (za) (Mongolian spelling ᠵᠠ (ǰa))

okay; alright

Russian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [zə]
IPA^(key): [zɐ] (before a stressed syllable)
IPA^(key): [ˈza] (when stressed)
Audio: (file)

Preposition

за • (za)

[with accusative]
1. (of motion) to
2. (of time) during (close to в течение)
  за вре́мя пребыва́ния в Москве́ ― za vrémja prebyvánija v Moskvé ― during his stay in Moscow
  
  за после́дние два́дцать лет ― za poslédnije dvádcatʹ let ― for the past twenty years (lt. during the last twenty years)
  
  за́ три дня ― zá tri dnja ― in three days
3. (of time, with до (do)) time before an event
  за две мину́ты до уро́ка ― za dve minúty do uróka ― 2 minutes (left) before the lecture
  
  за́ день до отъе́зда ― zá denʹ do otʺjézda ― one 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 мир ― borótʹsja za mir ― to 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 рабо́ту ― dumatʹ za rabótu ― to think about work
  
  говорить за жизнь ― govoritʹ za žiznʹ ― to 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-либо ― rádovatʹsja za kovó-libo ― to rejoice for someone
  
  боя́ться за кого́-либо ― bojátʹsja za kovó-libo ― to be afraid for someone
  
  брать кого́-либо за́ руку ― bratʹ kovó-libo zá ruku ― to take someone by the hand
  
  вести́ кого́-либо за́ руку ― vestí kovó-libo zá ruku ― to lead someone by the hand
  Note the stress on за́ but not on руку in these expressions
[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 теа́тре ― za obédom razgovór šol o teátre ― at dinner the conversation turned to the theater
  
  за столо́м ― za stolóm ― at the table
  
  за игро́й ― za igrój ― while playing
  
  за кни́гой ― za knígoj ― while reading (specifically a book)
  
  за рабо́той ― za rabótoj ― while working
  
  за у́жином ― za úžinom ― while eating dinner
  
  за чте́нием ― za čténijem ― while reading (nothing specific implied)
  
  за рулём ― za ruljóm ― at the wheel (driving a vehicle)

Related terms

за- (za-)
что́ за (štó za)

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /za/

Preposition

за (Latin spelling za)

for (expressing a reason) [with accusative]
гласати за некога ― to vote for somebody

продати нешто за 100 долара ― to sell something for a hundred dollars

платити за радозналост ― to pay for one's curiosity

бојати се за некога ― to fear for somebody

доћи кући за празнике ― to come home for the holiday season
behind, in back of, at (without change of position, answering the question гдје̏/где̏) [with instrumental]
сједити/седети за столом ― to sit at the table

Иди за мном. ― Follow me. (Go behind me.)
during [with genitive]
за дана ― during the day, during daylight

за живота ― during one's life

за вр(иј)еме рата ― during the war
to, toward [with accusative]
цеста за Беч ― the road to Vienna

путовати за Беч ― to travel to Vienna
in (in expressions with time) [with accusative]
доћи опет за неколико дана ― to come back in a few days

претрчати 100 метара за 9 секунди ― to run 100 meters in 9 seconds
by [with accusative]
узети за руку ― to take by the hand

ухватити за руку ― to grab by the arm

вући за уши ― to pull by the ears
for, as (with verbs denoting naming, appointing, declaring, considering etc) [with accusative]
поставити некога за предс(ј)едника ― to appoint somebody president

држати некога за паметног чов(ј)ека ― to consider somebody a smart person
after [with instrumental]
један за другим ― one after another

правити грешку за грешком ― to make one error after another; to make errors repeatedly

поновите за мном. ― Repeat after me.
for [with instrumental]
туговати за неким ― to grieve for somebody

чезнути за срећом ― to yearn for happiness

Ubykh

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

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [za]

Numeral

за • (za)

one (1)

Udihe

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /d͡za/

Numeral

за (za)

ten

References

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

Ukrainian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [za]
Audio: (file)

Preposition

за • (za)

(with genitive case)
1. indicating period when something happened or is happening: during, in
  за часі́в Гетьма́нщини ― za časív Hetʹmánščyny ― during the times of the Hetmanate
(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 стіл ― sísty za stil ― to sit down at a table
3. indicating period when something happened or is happening: during, in, over
  за цей час ― za cej čas ― during this time
4. indicating future time interval: in
  за мить ― za mytʹ ― in a moment
5. indicating time interval before an event:
  за ти́ждень до ї́хнього від'їзду ― za týždenʹ do jíxnʹoho vidʺjizdu ― a 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 що ― nemá zá ščo ― don'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 za ― to convict somebody of; to condemn somebody for
  
  критикува́ти кого́сь за (+ accusative) ― krytykuváty kohósʹ za ― to criticize somebody for
  
  хвали́ти кого́сь за (+ accusative) ― xvalýty kohósʹ za ― to praise somebody for
  
  «За військову доблесть» ― “Za vijsʹkovu doblestʹ” ― "For Military Valour"
7. past
  дале́ко за пі́вніч ― daléko za pívnič ― well/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 готе́лю ― za dva króky vid hotélju ― two steps away from the hotel
9. indicating place of holding: by
  трима́ти кого́сь за ру́ку ― trymáty kohósʹ za rúku ― to hold somebody by the hand
  
  схопи́ти кого́сь за го́рло ― sxopýty kohósʹ za hórlo ― to grab somebody by the throat
10. indicating advocacy, support, etc.: for, in favour of
  голосува́ти за кого́сь ― holosuváty za kohósʹ ― to 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 ціну́ ― za vysóku cinú ― for a high price
  
  за бе́зцінь ― za bézcinʹ ― for a pittance, for a song, for next to nothing
13. indicating responsibility: for
  відповіда́ти за (+ accusative) ― vidpovidáty za ― to be responsible for
  
  нести́ відповіда́льність за (+ accusative) ― nestý vidpovidálʹnistʹ za ― to bear responsibility for
14. indicating allegiance, interest, moral cause, etc.: for
  боре́ць за свобо́ду ― borécʹ za svobódu ― freedom 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 za ― to pass oneself off as, to pose as
16. than
  Ки́їв бі́льший за Ха́рків. ― Kýjiv bílʹšyj za Xárkiv. ― Kyiv is bigger than Kharkiv.
  
  скорі́ш за все ― skoríš za vse ― most likely (literally, “sooner than anything”)
  
  перш за все ― perš za vse ― first of all
(with instrumental case)
1. indicating position on the other side of something: behind, over
  за кордо́ном ― za kordónom ― abroad (literally, “over the border”)
  
  за кулі́сами ― za kulísamy ― behind the scenes
2. indicating standing or seated position next to something: at, behind
  сиді́ти за столо́м ― sydíty za stolóm ― to sit at a table
  
  сиді́ти за кермо́м ― sydíty za kermóm ― to sit at/behind the steering wheel
3. indicating following, supervision, tracking, etc.:
  слі́дом за (+ instrumental) ― slídom za ― following, after
  
  слі́дувати за (+ instrumental) ― slíduvaty za ― to follow
  
  слідкува́ти за (+ instrumental) ― slidkuváty za ― to follow, to track
  
  спостеріга́ти за (+ instrumental) ― sposteriháty za ― to watch
  
  сте́жити за (+ instrumental) ― stéžyty za ― to watch
  
  догляда́ти за (+ instrumental) ― dohljadáty za ― to look after
4. indicating succession: after, by
  день за днем ― denʹ za dnem ― day after day, day by day
  
  крок за кро́ком ― krok za krókom ― step by step
  
  село́ за село́м ― seló za selóm ― village after village, village by village
5. indicating objectives and wants: for
  посла́ти за лі́карем ― posláty za líkarem ― to 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 да́ними ― za ostánnimy dánymy ― according to the latest data
  
  за всіма́ озна́ками ― za vsimá oznákamy ― by 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 зви́чаєм ― za zvýčajem ― according to custom
  
  за тради́цією ― za tradýcijeju ― according to tradition
8. indicating parallel or simultaneous activity: while
  за чита́нням ― za čytánnjam ― while reading
9. in expressions indicating condition or circumstance: with, on
  за ви́нятком (+ genitive) ― za výnjatkom ― with the exception of
  
  за допомо́гою (+ genitive) ― za dopomóhoju ― with the help of
  
  за у́частю (+ genitive) ― za účastju ― with the participation of, involving
  
  за підо́зрою в (+ locative) ― za pidózroju v ― on suspicion of

Adverb

за • (za)

for (in favour)
за і про́ти ― za i próty ― for and against

ні за ні про́ти ― ni za ni próty ― neither for nor against

«За» проголосува́ли сто депутатів. ― “Za” proholosuvály sto deputativ. ― A hundred deputies voted "for".

Particle

за • (za)

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

за

Contents

Bulgarian

Etymology

Pronunciation

Preposition

See also

Anagrams

Macedonian

Etymology

Pronunciation

Preposition

Mongolian

Etymology

Pronunciation

Interjection

Russian

Etymology

Pronunciation

Preposition

Related terms

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

Pronunciation

Preposition

Ubykh

Pronunciation

Numeral

Udihe

Pronunciation

Numeral

References

Ukrainian

Etymology

Pronunciation

Preposition

Adverb

Particle

Further reading