Breakdown of Południe w zimie bywa ciemne, więc lampa świeci cały czas.
Questions & Answers about Południe w zimie bywa ciemne, więc lampa świeci cały czas.
Here południe means noon (midday). Although południe can also mean south (e.g. kierunek południe), in this context it refers to the time of day. The phrase po południu (po + locative) means “in the afternoon”, not midday. So:
- południe = noon/midday
- po południu = in the afternoon
Bywa is an imperfective form of być meaning “it tends to be,” “it can be,” or “it’s sometimes.” It adds a sense of occasional or typical occurrence.
- Południe bywa ciemne = Noon can be dark (sometimes it’s dark).
Using jest instead would be a flat statement: - Południe jest ciemne = Noon is dark (always).
Więc is a coordinating conjunction meaning “so” or “therefore.” When it links two independent clauses, Polish grammar requires a comma before it:
Clause 1, więc Clause 2.
Here: “Południe w zimie bywa ciemne, więc lampa świeci cały czas.”
Świecić means “to shine” or “to emit light.” Used intransitively as świeci, it simply says that the lamp is shining.
- lampa świeci = the lamp shines/is lit
You could also say lampa świeci się, which puts slight emphasis on the lamp being turned on. Jest zapalona (“is turned on”) is another option, focusing on the lamp’s state rather than the light itself.
Cały czas literally means “the whole time.” It implies continuous action. Other options include:
- zawsze – always (more general)
- ciągle – continuously/constantly (very similar)
- non stop – non-stop (colloquial)