чтобы
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Russian[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- чтоб (štob)
Etymology[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Conjunction[edit]
что́бы • (štóby) (+ past tense or the infinitive)
- that...should (indicates the subjunctive)
- so that, in order that; in order to
- lest
Usage notes[edit]
After чтобы, an infinitive is used if a subject is not specified. Он позвонил мне, чтобы сказать, что любит меня. (He phoned me in order to say that he loves me). The past tense is used when a subject is specified. Я хочу, чтобы ты позвонил мне. (I want you to phone me). Even though the verb is in the past tense, it still refers to the future. To put the construction in past tense, the first clause is changed to past tense. Я хотел, чтобы ты позвонил мне вчера. (I wanted you to phone me yesterday). Чтобы is normally used with perfective verbs, but imperfective verbs will be used if there is a request not to do something.
Related terms[edit]
- для того́, что́бы (dlja tovó, štóby)