szukać — meaning in English: to look for

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Guess the translation for to look for

picie

początek końca

szukać

zmęczony

cztery

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers use 'szukać' in various contexts, such as when looking for a lost item, searching for job opportunities, or even when trying to discover new places in their city. For example, you might hear it in conversations between friends discussing where to find a good restaurant or during a job interview when someone expresses their desire to look for new career challenges.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 'poszukiwać', which also means 'to search'. However, 'szukać' is often used in more casual or everyday contexts, while 'poszukiwać' can imply a more serious or thorough search, making it suitable for academic or formal discussions.

Culture

'Szukać' derives from the Old Polish word 'szukać', which means 'to seek' or 'to search', reflecting a long-standing cultural importance placed on exploration and discovery. Interestingly, the concept of searching is deeply embedded in Polish folklore, where characters often go on quests to find lost treasures or truth, symbolizing the journey of self-discovery and growth.

FAQ

Q.What is the correct way to use 'szukać' in a sentence?

'Szukać' is typically followed by the genitive case when indicating what you are looking for. For example, 'Szukałem kluczy' means 'I was looking for the keys.'

Q.Can 'szukać' be used in a figurative sense?

Yes, 'szukać' can also be used metaphorically. For instance, you might say 'szukać szczęścia' meaning 'to look for happiness,' indicating that it can refer to abstract concepts as well.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 'szukać'?

One common mistake is using the wrong case after 'szukać'. Remember that it should always be followed by the genitive case when specifying what is being searched for, such as 'szukać czegoś’ (to look for something).

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Polish Vocabulary