Breakdown of Я намагаюся робити смачний сніданок.
я
I
смачний
tasty
сніданок
the breakfast
робити
to make
намагатися
to try
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Questions & Answers about Я намагаюся робити смачний сніданок.
Why is the reflexive ending “-ся” used in “намагаюся”?
The reflexive ending “-ся” is an integral part of the verb “намагатися”, which means “to try” or “to attempt.” In Ukrainian, it doesn’t indicate that the subject is acting upon itself but is simply a fixed part of the verb. Many verbs in Ukrainian include “-ся” to form their standard meaning, so it must be learned as part of the verb rather than interpreted as a literal reflexive action.
Why is the verb “робити” used in its infinitive form after the conjugated verb “намагаюся”?
In Ukrainian, when one verb (like “намагаюся”) is followed by another, the second verb is typically in its infinitive form. This structure—conjugated verb plus infinitive—is common with expressions of intention, effort, or desire, much like saying “I try to do…” in English. The main action is carried by the conjugated verb, while the infinitive specifies what is being attempted.
Why is the adjective “смачний” in the masculine singular form in this sentence?
Adjectives in Ukrainian must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case. Here, “сніданок” (breakfast) is a masculine singular noun, so the describing adjective “смачний” (tasty/delicious) is also in masculine singular form. This agreement helps ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.
What tense and aspect does the verb “намагаюся” convey?
The verb “намагаюся” is in the present tense and uses the imperfective aspect. This combination indicates that the action of trying is either ongoing or habitual rather than completed in the past. In English, it translates to “I try” or “I am trying,” emphasizing a continuous or regularly repeated effort.
Is the word order in “Я намагаюся робити смачний сніданок.” fixed, or can it be rearranged for different emphasis?
While Ukrainian generally follows a subject-verb-object pattern—as seen in “Я намагаюся робити смачний сніданок.”—the word order is relatively flexible. This flexibility allows speakers to rearrange the elements of the sentence to emphasize a particular part of the action or to fit stylistic needs. However, the provided order is the most straightforward and neutral way to express the idea.