Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Я готую обід, щоб відчути новий смак. - I prepare lunch to experience a new taste.

Щоб is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a purpose clause. In this sentence, it connects the main action (preparing lunch) with the intended outcome (experiencing a new flavor). It can be understood as meaning "in order to" or "so that".

Why does the sentence use the infinitive відчути after щоб instead of a conjugated verb?

In Ukrainian, when the subject of both the main clause and the purpose clause is the same, it’s common to use an infinitive after щоб to express the intended result. Since Я is the subject for both actions, the infinitive відчути efficiently conveys the purpose without repeating the subject.

Why is готую in the present tense while відчути appears as a perfective infinitive?

Готую is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing or habitual action—I am preparing or I prepare lunch. Meanwhile, відчути is the perfective form of the verb, which emphasizes the completion or the intended accomplishment of experiencing a new flavor. The present action is aimed at achieving a definite future result.

How do the adjective новий and the noun смак agree grammatically in this sentence?

Смак is a masculine, inanimate noun, and in the accusative case (used as the object of відчути), its form remains identical to the nominative. The adjective новий is in its standard masculine form to match смак. That’s why the phrase appears as новий смак without any additional changes.

Why is there a comma before щоб in this sentence?

The comma is used to separate the main clause (Я готую обід) from the subordinate purpose clause (щоб відчути новий смак). This punctuation clarifies that the second part explains the reason or purpose behind the action described in the first part, much like how purpose clauses are punctuated in English.

What would change if the purpose clause had a different subject than the main clause?

If the subject of the purpose clause were different from that of the main clause, the new subject would need to be stated explicitly. For example, if someone else were meant to experience the new flavor, the sentence might be: Я готую обід, щоб він відчув новий смак. In that case, він (he) is inserted to clarify the change in subject, ensuring the sentence’s meaning remains clear.