дабы

Russian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈdabɨ]
• (dated) IPA^(key): [dɐˈbɨ]

• Audio

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Conjunction

да́бы or дабы́ • (dáby or dabý)

1. (archaic, non-standard colloquial) in order to, in order that, so that

   да́бы я э́то знал

   dáby ja éto znal

   in order that I might know it

Usage notes

• Particularly since the 21st century, this conjunction (stressed as да́бы) has re-entered colloquial usage as a more flavorful or intimate synonym to чтобы (štoby). This is often seen as improper by older speakers. Historically, дабы became increasingly archaic following the end of the 18th century, but it remains amply attested in literature.

Synonyms

• что́бы (štóby) (common term)