по

See also: По, ПО, по-, and Appendix:Variations of "po"

Bulgarian

Etymology 1

From Proto-Slavic *po.

Pronunciation

• (unstressed) IPA^(key): [pɔ]

Preposition

по • (po)

1. used to indicate movement over a surface or movement bound to certain limits (usually continuous or repeating in time), on, over, through, along

   Вървя по улицата.

   Vǎrvja po ulicata.

   I am walking on the street.

2. introducing the object of a targeted action or for an action related to certain state, on, over, for

   Потупах го по рамото.

   Potupah go po ramoto.

   I tapped him on the shoulder.

   Ударих го по главата.

   Udarih go po glavata.

   I hit him on/over the head.

   Тъгувам по лятото.

   Tǎguvam po ljatoto.

   I long for the summer.

3. in conjunction with countable nouns for price or quantity, expressing quantity, expressing distribution, by

   По евро за книга.

   Po evro za kniga.

   A euro for a book.

   Двама по двама.

   Dvama po dvama.

   Two by two.

   Тичам по малко (всеки ден).

   Tičam po malko (vseki den).

   I am running a little (every day).

4. expressing approximate time

   По обед.

   Po obed.

   Around lunchtime.

   По Коледа.

   Po Koleda.

   Around Christmas.

5. used to describe attire, in, with ... on

   Ходя по чорапи.

   Hodja po čorapi.

   I am walking in my socks.

6. used to indicate means, by, via, on

   Пращам го по автобус.

   Praštam go po avtobus.

   I am sending it by bus.

   Пращам го по въздушна поща.

   Praštam go po vǎzdušna pošta.

   I am sending it via airmail.

   Говоря по телефона.

   Govorja po telefona.

   I am talking on the phone.

7. indicating an activity or its domain, of

   Учител по история.

   Učitel po istorija.

   History teacher.

   Факултет по физика.

   Fakultet po fizika.

   Faculty of physics.

8. according to, based on, by, of

   Съдя го по външността му.

   Sǎdja go po vǎnšnostta mu.

   I am judging him by his appearance.

   Работя по усмотрение.

   Rabotja po usmotrenie.

   I work of my own accord.

9. used to indicate cause, by

   Пропуснато е по погрешка.

   Propusnato e po pogreška.

   It is missed by mistake.

   По негова вина закъснях.

   Po negova vina zakǎsnjah.

   It is his fault I was late.

10. used to indicate direction, along

    Плувам по течението.

    Pluvam po tečenieto.

    I am swimming along the current.

    Ходя по пътеката.

    Hodja po pǎtekata.

    I am walking along the path.

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (stressed) IPA^(key): [pɔ]

Particle

по́- • (pó-)

1. used as a prefix to form comparative for adjectives and adverbs, more

   Корабите са по-бавни от самолетите.

   Korabite sa po-bavni ot samoletite.

   Ships are slower than airplanes.

   Този филм е по-интересен.

   Tozi film e po-interesen.

   This film is more interesting.

   Трябва да ходя по-бързо.

   Trjabva da hodja po-bǎrzo.

   I should walk faster.

Particle

по́ • (pó)

1. used for nouns, verbs and other parts of speech to form a comparative, more

   По́ я обичам!

   Pó ja običam!

   I love her more!

   Той е по́ юнак от теб.

   Toj e pó junak ot teb.

   He is more of a hero than you.

2. used before prepositions to form a comparative, more, further

   Областта е по́ на север.

   Oblastta e pó na sever.

   The region is further to the north.

See also

• повече (poveče)

Anagrams

• по- (po-)

Macedonian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *po.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [pɔ]
• Rhymes: -ɔ

Preposition

по • (po)

1. after

   Ќе се вратат по вечерата. ― Ḱe se vratat po večerata. ― They'll return after dinner.

2. on (movement along a surface)

   Одам по улицата. ― Odam po ulicata. ― I'm walking on the street.

3. by (distributive)

   Влезете еден по еден. ― Vlezete eden po eden. ― Enter one by one.

4. times

   Два по два е четири. ― Dva po dva e četiri. ― Two times two is four.

5. (colloquial) according to

   По тебе, што ќе се случи следно? ― Po tebe, što ḱe se sluči sledno? ― According to you, what's going to happen next?

6. wearing

   Излегува по кратки ракави. ― Izleguva po kratki rakavi. ― He goes out wearing short sleeves.

7. in pursuit of, in order to acquire

   Отиде на пазар по пиперки. ― Otide na pazar po piperki. ― He went to the marketplace to get peppers.

Old Church Slavonic

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *po.

Preposition

по • (po)

1. along
2. on
3. after
4. by

References

• Mali staroslavensko-hrvatski rječnik, Matica hrvatska, Zagreb, 2004

Russian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *po.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [pə]
• IPA^(key): [pɐ] (before a stressed syllable)
• IPA^(key): [ˈpo] (when stressed)

• Audio:

  (file)

Preposition

по • (po)

1. [with dative]
   1. used broadly to indicate action, typically involving movement, across a surface or across several things in a generally flat plane; across, on, along, down, up, all over, (all) around:

      Тарака́н бе́гал по столу́. ― Tarakán bégal po stolú. ― The cockroach ran across the table.

      Он плыл по реке́. ― On plyl po reké. ― He swam down the river.

      Они́ путеше́ствовали по Евро́пе. ― Oní putešéstvovali po Jevrópe. ― They travelled around Europe.

      Они́ путеше́ствовали по ра́зным города́м. ― Oní putešéstvovali po ráznym gorodám. ― They travelled around different cities.

      Он погла́дил меня́ по щеке́. ― On pogládil menjá po ščeké. ― He stroked my cheek. / He stroked me on/across the cheek.

      Они́ уда́рили меня́ по голове́. ― Oní udárili menjá po golové. ― They hit me on/over/across the head.

   2. used to indicate the object/field/topic that something applies to; for, on, about, in, of (or translated with an attributive noun followed by a noun)

      Министе́рство по чрезвыча́йным ситуа́циям (МЧС) ― Ministérstvo po črezvyčájnym situácijam (MČS) ― The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS)

      руково́дство по шитью́ ― rukovódstvo po šitʹjú ― sewing guide / guide to/for/on sewing

      рекоменда́ции по устране́нию угро́з ― rekomendácii po ustranéniju ugróz ― recommendations to eliminate threats / recommendations for/on eliminating threats

      экза́мен по биоло́гии ― ekzámen po biológii ― biology exam (literally, “exam on/in/for biology”)

   3. used to indicate accordance with, adherence to or judgement based on something; according to, from, by

      су́дя по его́ поведе́нию ― súdja po jevó povedéniju ― judging from his behaviour

      Я по́нял э́то по его́ го́лосу. ― Ja pónjal éto po jevó gólosu. ― I could tell by/from his voice.

      по пла́ну ― po plánu ― according to plan

      де́йствовать по пра́вилам ― déjstvovatʹ po právilam ― to act according to / in accordance/line with the rules

      Synonym: (partial) согла́сно (soglásno)

   4. used to indicate the reason for something, typically undesired/undesirable (see usage notes on из-за (iz-za)); due to, on account of, out of, from, by

      Он ушёл на пе́нсию по боле́зни. ― On ušól na pénsiju po bolézni. ― He retired due to illness.

      Аро́н вчера́ опозда́л по рассе́янности. ― Arón včerá opozdál po rasséjannosti. ― Aaron was late yesterday because of a distraction.

      Synonym: из-за (iz-za)

   5. used with time (usually times of day or days of the week) to indicate regular repetition; on, in (the), every (or translated with a plural noun)

      по четверга́м ― po četvergám ― (on) Thursdays / every Thursday

      по вечера́м ― po večerám ― evenings / every evening

      Synonym: ка́ждый (káždyj)

   6. used with numbers when there is distribution among multiple objects or repetition across multiple instances in time (dative case is used with the numbers one, a thousand, a million, a billion, a trillion etc. and numbers ending in these words)

      Я дал ка́ждому челове́ку по двадцати́ одному́ рублю́. ― Ja dal káždomu čelovéku po dvadcatí odnomú rubljú. ― I gave each person twenty-one roubles.

      Он пла́вал ка́ждый день по ты́сяче ме́тров. ― On plával káždyj denʹ po týsjače métrov. ― He swam a thousand metres every day.

      Они́ продаю́т по миллио́ну альбо́мов в год. ― Oní prodajút po milliónu alʹbómov v god. ― They sell a million albums a year.

2. [with accusative]
   1. used with numbers when there is distribution among multiple objects or repetition across multiple instances in time (inanimate accusative case is used with numbers other than one, a thousand, a million, a billion, a trillion etc. or numbers ending in these words)

      Они́ бы́ли разделены́ на гру́ппы по три челове́ка. ― Oní býli razdelený na grúppy po tri čelovéka. ― They were divided into groups of three people. (Note: not the animate трёх (trjox).)

      Он получа́л по два́дцать пять фу́нтов в неде́лю. ― On polučál po dvádcatʹ pjatʹ fúntov v nedélju. ― He received £25 a week.

   2. Used to indicate something serving as the boundary of the extent of some action.

      Я всади́л в ружьё штык по са́мое ду́ло. ― Ja vsadíl v ružʹjó štyk po sámoje dúlo. ― I stuck a bayonet into a gun to the very barrel.

      Synonym: до (do)

3. [with prepositional]
   1. (literary, official) Used to indicate a temporal or spatial boundary; (immediately) after, upon, on

      по прие́зде/прибы́тии ― po prijézde/pribýtii ― on/upon arrival

      по истече́нии полуго́да ― po istečénii polugóda ― after six months

      Synonym: (partial) по́сле (pósle)

   2. to the liking of

      по нём ― po njom ― to his liking

4. [with prepositional or dative]
   1. used to indicate an object of rumination, yearning, mourning; over, for

      Он горева́л по моём отсу́тствии. ― On gorevál po mojóm otsútstvii. ― He grieved (over) my absence.

      Они́ сходи́ли по нём с ума́. ― Oní sxodíli po njom s umá. ― They were going crazy for him.

      Я скуча́ю по тебе́. ― Ja skučáju po tebé. ― I miss you.

Usage notes

• When used with numbers in the distributive meaning, the following should be noted:
  • The case of any associated noun follows the normal case rules for numbers. This means full agreement when dative is used (по одному́ вопро́су (po odnomú voprósu)) and genitive singular or plural (depending on the last digit) when accusative is used (по три вопро́са (po tri voprósa), по семь вопро́сов (po semʹ voprósov)).
  • With два (dva), три (tri) and сто (sto) (but not numbers ending in these numbers), the stress is optionally drawn onto по:

    Я дал им по́ два / по два́ рубля́. ― Ja dal im pó dva / po dvá rubljá. ― I gave them two roubles each.

Related terms

• по ме́ре того́ как (po mére tovó kak)

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology 1

From пол, from Proto-Slavic *polъ. See по-.

Alternative forms

• по̑л

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pôː/

Adverb

по̑ (Latin spelling pȏ)

1. half

   сат и по ― hour and a half

   четири и по ― four thirty

   чов(ј)ек и по ― an excellent man

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *po, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂(e)po.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pô/

Preposition

по̏ (Latin spelling pȍ)

1. for [with accusative]

   отићи по мл(иј)еко ― to go and get the milk

   по ц(иј)ели дан ― all day long

   по шести пут ― for the sixth time

   бити штетан по некога/нешто ― to be harmful for sb/sth

   добро/лоше по њега ― good/bad for him

2. over, through, across, in, on [with locative]

   ударити по глави ― to hit on the head

   сн(иј)ег је пао по цести ― snow fell on the road

   вода се пролила по поду ― water spilled over the floor

   шетати по шуми ― to walk in the woods

3. by, with, through (using an intermediary or medium) [with locative]

   Послао сам му пакет по заједничком пријатељу. ― I've sent him a package via a mutual friend.

   по зраку/води ― by air/water

4. by, according to [with locative]

   све иде по плану ― everything is going according to the plan

   Америка је прва држава по богатству у св(иј)ету. ― America is the richest country in the world.

   по глави становника ― per capita

   жив(ј)ети по принципима ― to live according to principles

   по мом(е) мишљењу ― in my opinion

   по мом рачуну ― by my reckoning

   по мени ― in my opinion; as far as I'm concerned

   свирати по слуху ― to play by ear

   судити по вањштини ― to judge by appearance

5. after [with locative]

   по свршетку сукоба ― after (the end of) the conflict

6. during [with locative]

   по киши/сунцу ― in the rain/sun

   по дану ― during the day

7. in miscellaneous senses in various phrasal constructs [with locative]

   разум(иј)е се (само) по себи ― it goes without saying

   нека буде по твоме ― let it be your way

   једнак по величини ― equal in size

   све је по старом ― everything is/goes in the accustomed/usual manner

   по обичају ― as usual, according to custom

   по вр(иј)едности ― in value

   по свој прилици ― in all likelihood

   по роду ― by birth

   по нарави/природи ― in nature

   по тој ц(иј)ени ― at this price

   по параграфу 13 ― under section 13

   по што по то ― by all means

   по могућности ― if possible

   по реду ― in order, one after another

   по мом укусу ― (according) to my taste

   по квалитети ― by quality

   по томе ― according to this/that, accordingly, consequently, then

   по закону ― according to the law, by the law

   по дуљини ― lengthwise

Etymology 3

Particle

по (Latin spelling po)

1. (+ accusative case or nominative case) denoting distribution and succession; by, per, each, apiece

   Попили смо сви по чашицу ракије. ― We all drank a glass of rakija each.

   корак по корак ― step by step

   један по један ― one by one

   трипут по сату ― three times per hour

   Cви смо добили по јабуку. ― Each of us received an apple.

References

• “по”, in Hrvatski jezični portal [Croatian language portal] (in Serbo-Croatian), 2006–2024
• “по”, in Hrvatski jezični portal [Croatian language portal] (in Serbo-Croatian), 2006–2024

Shor

Etymology

From Proto-Turkic *bu(-n) (“this”). Compare Old Turkic 𐰉𐰆 (bu, “this”).

Pronoun

по • (po)

1. this

See also

• кайдығ
• мендиг, мындығ
• андығ, эндиг

Tajik

Alternative forms

• пой (poy)

Etymology

Inherited from Classical Persian پَا (pā).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /po/, [pʰɔ]

Noun

по • (po) (Persian spelling پا)

1. leg, foot

Inflection

Inflection of по
		singular	plural
sound	broken1	or broken1
bare		по po	поҳо poho	[Term?]	[Term?]
definite object		поро poro	поҳоро pohoro	ро ro	ро ro
izofa		пои po-yi	поҳои poho-yi	и i	и i
indefinite, definite relative	bare	пое poye	—	—	—
	object	поеро poyero	—	—	—

Possessive forms of по
		singular	plural
sound	broken1	broken1
bare	1st singular	поям poyam	поҳоям pohoyam	ам am	ам am
	2nd singular	поят poyat	поҳоят pohoyat	ат at	ат at
	3rd singular	пояш poyaš	поҳояш pohoyaš	аш aš	аш aš
	1st plural	поямон poyamon	поҳоямон pohoyamon	амон amon	амон amon
	2nd plural	поятон poyaton	поҳоятон pohoyaton	атон aton	атон aton
	3rd plural	пояшон poyašon	поҳояшон pohoyašon	ашон ašon	ашон ašon
		singular	plural
sound	broken1	broken1
definite object	1st singular	поямро poyamro	поҳоямро pohoyamro	амро amro	амро amro
	2nd singular	поятро poyatro	поҳоятро pohoyatro	атро atro	атро atro
	3rd singular	пояшро poyašro	поҳояшро pohoyašro	ашро ašro	ашро ašro
	1st plural	поямонро poyamonro	поҳоямонро pohoyamonro	амонро amonro	амонро amonro
	2nd plural	поятонро poyatonro	поҳоятонро pohoyatonro	атонро atonro	атонро atonro
	3rd plural	пояшонро poyašonro	поҳояшонро pohoyašonro	ашонро ašonro	ашонро ašonro

Derived terms

• пойтахт (poytaxt)

 

Tundra Nenets

Etymology

From Proto-Samoyedic *poəj.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [po]
• Hyphenation: по

Noun

по • (po)

1. year

References

• Pyrerka, A. P., Tereščenko, N. M. (1948) Русско-ненецкий словарь [Russian–Nenets Dictionary], Moscow: Огиз, page 59
• N. M. Tereschenko (2005) “по”, in Словарь ненецко-русский и русско-ненецкий, 3rd edition, Saint Petersburg: Просвещение, →ISBN

Ukrainian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *po.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [pɔ]

• Audio:

  (file)

Preposition

по • (po)

1. with locative case
   1. used to indicate a physical object on which an action is taking place, or to indicate a space in which something is taking place.

      По столі́/столу́ розки́дані ру́чки. ― Po stolí/stolú rozkýdani rúčky. ― Pens are strewn across the table.

      По мі́сті/мі́сту/мі́стові ді́є коменда́нтська годи́на. ― Po místi/místu/místovi díje komendántsʹka hodýna. ― Curfew is in place in the city.

   2. In the direction of.

      йти вниз по ріці́ ― jty vnyz po ricí ― to follow the river downstream (literally, “to go down in the direction of the river”)

      плисти́ по ві́трі/ві́тру ― plystý po vítri/vítru ― to sail in the direction of the wind

   3. used to indicate a direct object upon which an action is performed.

      Мене́ вда́рили по голові́. ― Mené vdáryly po holoví. ― I was hit on the head.

      Він зи́ркає по на́товпі час від ча́су. ― Vin zýrkaje po nátovpi čas vid čásu. ― He looks at the crowd from time to time.

   4. (colloquial) used to indicate someone or something that is being mourned over.

      По ньо́му пла́кала вся Украї́на. ― Po nʹómu plákala vsja Ukrajína. ― All of Ukraine was mourning his death. (literally, “All of Ukraine was crying over him.”)

   5. after

      Synonym: пі́сля (píslja)

      Пам'ята́й, си́нку: по те́мній но́чі завжди́ настає́ сві́тлий ра́нок. ― Pamʺjatáj, sýnku: po témnij nóči zavždý nastajé svítlyj ránok. ― Remember, son: after a dark night, a bright morning always comes.

   6. (colloquial) used to indicate the disappearance, irreparable damage, or death of someone or something.

      Ку́хлик ви́слизнув з мої́х рук і по ньо́му ста́ло! ― Kúxlyk výslyznuv z mojíx ruk i po nʹómu stálo! ― The mug slipped out of my hands and it broke! (literally, “The mug slipped out of my hands and the aftermath of it has become!”)

   7. (colloquial) used to indicate a time-frame during which an action occurs.

      по яскра́вому мі́сяці/мі́сяцю ― po jaskrávomu mísjaci/mísjacju ― when a bright moon (rises)

      по ночах ― po nočax ― during the night (literally, “at nights”)

   8. one after another

      годи́на по годи́ні ― hodýna po hodýni ― hour after hour

      пи́во по пи́ві ― pývo po pývi ― beer after beer

   9. (dialectal) used with a temporal noun to indicate the age of something

      Йому́ було́ по шо́стому ро́ці коли́ він пішо́в до шко́ли. ― Jomú buló po šóstomu róci kolý vin pišóv do škóly. ― He was six years old when he went to school. (literally, “He was at the sixth year when he went to school.”)

   10. through

       бабу́ся по ма́тері ― babúsja po máteri ― maternal grandmother (literally, “grandmother through the mother”)

       по ба́тькові ― po bátʹkovi ― patronymic (literally, “through the father”)

       това́риш по шко́лі ― továryš po škóli ― school friend (literally, “friend through school”)

   11. used to indicate the object with which an action is performed.

       підня́тися по моту́зці ― pidnjátysja po motúzci ― to climb a rope (literally, “to climb via a rope”)

       транслюва́ти по ра́діо ― transljuváty po rádio ― to broadcast on a radio

   12. used to indicate a justification by which one arrives at a conclusion.

       По її́ поведі́нці мо́жна було́ зрозумі́ти, що щось не так. ― Po jijí povedínci móžna buló zrozumíty, ščo ščosʹ ne tak. ― One could tell something is wrong by her behaviour.

       Не суди́ кни́жку по обкла́динці. ― Ne sudý knýžku po obkládynci. ― Don't judge a book by its cover.

   13. used with certain nouns to form parentheses.

       Це, по су́ті, відве́рта брехня́. ― Ce, po súti, vidvérta brexnjá. ― This is basically a complete lie.

       Він, по ща́стю/ща́сті, зміг утекти́. ― Vin, po ščástju/ščásti, zmih utektý. ― He, luckily, was able to escape.

   14. each

       Дай усі́м ді́тям по цуке́рці. ― Daj usím dítjam po cukérci. ― Give all the children a candy each.

   15. for (a length of time)

       Лю́ди ви́мушені чека́ти по ти́жню/ти́жні, аби отри́мати ї́жу. ― Ljúdy výmušeni čekáty po týžnju/týžni, aby otrýmaty jížu. ― People are forced to wait for a week to get food.

   16. used to indicate distance traveled in a certain period of time.

       Мандрівники́ прохо́дять по п'ятна́дцать кіломе́трів на годину ― Mandrivnyký proxódjatʹ po pʺjatnádcatʹ kilométriv na hodynu ― Travelers travel fifteen kilometres each hour. (literally, “Travelers travel by fifteen kilometres each hour.”)

   17. (colloquial) used to indicate the purpose of an action.

       Івасько́ прийшо́в до ньо́го по ді́лу. ― Ivasʹkó pryjšóv do nʹóho po dílu. ― Ivan came to him to do business.

   18. (colloquial) used to indicate the reason for an action.

       Ми по ду́рості забу́ли ви́мкнути пра́ску вдо́ма. ― My po dúrosti zabúly výmknuty prásku vdóma. ― We have forgotten to turn off the iron at home due to our foolishness.

2. with accusative case
   1. used with directional nouns to indicate direction

      по пра́ву ру́ку ― po právu rúku ― to the right-hand side

      по лі́ву сто́рону ― po lívu stóronu ― to the left side

   2. up to

      по колі́на ― po kolína ― up to the knees

   3. used to indicate an object which is the target of an action

      Треба́ піти́ до крамни́ці по хліб. ― Trebá pitý do kramnýci po xlib. ― We need to go to the store for some bread.

      Гайда́ візьме́м сачки́ та й по мете́лики! ― Hajdá vizʹmém sačký ta j po metélyky! ― Let's take butterfly nets and go after the butterflies!

   4. until

      Я коха́тиму тебе́ по смерть! ― Ja koxátymu tebé po smertʹ! ― I will love you until death!

      Міст буду́ється по сей день. ― Mist budújetʹsja po sej denʹ. ― The bridge is still being built to this day. (literally, “The bridge is being built until this day.”)

   5. (with a personal pronoun) used to indicate an action done according to someone's wish or request.

      Сашко́ ро́бить усе́ по його́. ― Saškó róbytʹ usé po johó. ― Sasha does everything as he pleases.

   6. used to indicate quantity.

      Не тре́ба мені́ повто́рювати по де́сять разі́в! ― Ne tréba mení povtórjuvaty po désjatʹ razív! ― You don't have to repeat it to me ten times!

      Ко́жному дали́ по кількана́дцять гри́вень. ― Kóžnomu dalý po kilʹkanádcjatʹ hrývenʹ. ― Everyone was given umpteen hryvnias.

   7. used to indicate the price of something.

      З глу́зду з'ї́хали! Прода́ють я́йця по 80 гри́вень дю́жина! ― Z hlúzdu zʺjíxaly! Prodájutʹ jájcja po 80 hrývenʹ djúžyna! ― They've gone insane! They're selling eggs for 80 hryvnias a dozen!

Usage notes

• По is not used with the dative case in standard, literary Ukrainian. However, under the influence of Russian, some speakers may use the dative instead of the locative case in both spoken and occasionally written language; this usage, however, is considered incorrect.

References

• Bilodid, I. K., editor (1970–1980), “по”, in Словник української мови: в 11 т. [Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 11 vols] (in Ukrainian), Kyiv: Naukova Dumka
• “по”, in Словник.ua [Slovnyk.ua] (in Ukrainian)