Zachowuj

Zachowuj is the second-person singular imperative form of the Polish imperfective verb zachowywać, meaning to keep, maintain, or behave in a certain way. It is used to issue direct commands, warnings, or advice to someone addressed as you. The related reflexive form Zachowuj się is commonly used to tell someone how to behave. The imperative appears in phrases such as Zachowuj spokój (keep calm) or Zachowuj ostrożność (be cautious).

Origin and form: Zachowywać derives from prefix za- added to chować (to hide or to keep). The root yields a family of words connected with conduct and preservation, including zachowanie (behavior, conduct). The imperative Zachowuj is 2nd person singular; other forms include Zachowujmy (let us keep) and Zachowujcie (you all keep).

Usage notes: In formal or polite contexts, speakers typically use Proszę zachować spokój or Proszę zachowywać spokój rather than the direct Zachowuj. The form is common in instructions, signs, and casual speech, where a straightforward command or reminder is appropriate.

Semantic range: The verb covers maintaining a state, performing a behavior, or conducting oneself appropriately. It can refer to physical actions (zachowuj ostrożność) or mental states (zachowuj spokój) and is flexible across contexts such as safety, etiquette, or daily conduct.

See also: Zachowanie; Zachować; Zachowywać; Spokój; Ostrożność.