zostaw

Zostaw is a Polish word that functions as the second-person singular imperative form of the verb zostawić, meaning to leave behind or abandon. It is used to issue a direct command to one person, often in informal speech. The tone can range from casual to admonitory, depending on context and intonation.

Usage and examples: Zostaw to translates as “Leave that.” Zostaw mnie w spokoju means “Leave me alone.” Zostaw to na później means “Leave it for later.” The imperative can accompany various objects to indicate what should be left behind or left alone. In negative form, it becomes nie zostawiaj for the singular (informal) and nie zostawiajcie for the plural.

Morphology and forms: The standard imperative of zostawić has the singular form zostaw and the plural form zostawcie. The verb also appears in other moods and tenses, but zostaw remains the core imperative for addressing a single person. Formal or polite speech is typically expressed with different constructions, such as requests or indirect imperatives (for example, proszę, żeby państwo zostawili), rather than the plain imperative.

Notes: Zostaw is almost exclusively used as a verb form in imperative mood. It is common in everyday conversation and appears in a wide range of contexts, from practical instructions to casual admonitions. The word itself carries a direct, action-oriented directive and is widely understood across Polish-speaking communities. See also zostawić for the infinitive and related forms.