podlegaj

Podlegaj is the second-person singular present imperative form of the Polish verb podlegać, meaning “be subject to” or “fall under.” It is used to command or encourage someone to submit to a rule, authority, or condition, and it can appear in legal, administrative, or everyday language when describing subordination or compliance.

Etymology and meaning: The verb podlegać combines the prefix pod- meaning “under” with the root leg- from legać, historically related to lying or being in a position. The resulting meaning centers on being under the influence, control, or jurisdiction of something. In practice, podleganie is most often expressed with a governing noun in the genitive or dative, such as przepisy (regulations), jurysdykcja (jurisdiction), or prawo (the law).

Usage and examples: Podlegać is used to indicate that an entity is governed by or subject to a rule, authority, or system. In sentences, you might say: Firma podlega przepisom Unii Europejskiej. Instytucje podlegają prawu podatkowemu. Sąd orzeka, że dług podlega jurysdykcji tego sądu. In imperative form, podlegaj can be directed at a person or group to remind them to adhere to the applicable rules, as in: Podlegaj przepisom i przestrzegaj ich.

Conjugation and form notes: Podlegaj is the imperative singular; podlegajcie is the plural. The verb is imperfective, describing ongoing subjection rather than a completed act. Present tense forms include ja podlegam, ty podlegasz, on/ona podlega, my podlegamy, wy podlegacie, oni/one podlegają. Past forms include podlegałem/podlegałam, podlegałeś/podlegałaś, etc.