jeszcze

Jeszcze is a common Polish adverb with several related meanings centered on continuation, addition, or intensification. It can express time, quantity, or emphasis, depending on context.

In temporal use, jeszcze often means still or yet. Examples include "Mam jeszcze czas" (I still have time) and "Nie mam jeszcze czasu" (I don’t have time yet). It can also introduce an additional item or action: "Potrzebuję jeszcze kawy" (I need more coffee) or the phrase "jeszcze jedno pytanie" (one more question).

As an intensifier, jeszcze can modify adjectives or adverbs to convey extremity or progression: "jeszcze lepszy" (even better), "to jeszcze droższe" (even more expensive). It occurs in fixed phrases such as "jeszcze raz" (one more time) and "jeszcze tylko" (just a little more / only a moment longer). It may also appear in sentences like "Chcę jeszcze trochę poczekać" (I want to wait a little longer).

Usage notes and nuances: choosing between jeszcze and synonyms depends on nuance. Wciąż or nadal often express a continuing state, while jeszcze adds a sense of progression, addition, or emphasis. In negative clauses, jeszcze frequently appears with negation to indicate that something has not happened yet: "Jeszcze nie" is a common combination. As an adverb, jeszcze does not take inflection, but it can position itself at the beginning or inside a clause for natural rhythm.

Overall, jeszcze is a versatile tool in Polish for indicating time, addition, and intensification across informal and formal contexts.