"If" in Polish: Jeśli and Jeżeli
To build conditional sentences about realistic possibilities ("If X happens, Y will happen"), Polish uses the words jeśli or jeżeli. Both mean "if" and can be used interchangeably.
| if | jeżeli |
When talking about a potential future event, there is one major rule to remember: Polish uses the future tense in both halves of the sentence. This is different from English, which usually uses the present tense in the "if" clause (for example, "If it rains, we will be cold").
| If you lie, you will regret it. | Jeżeli będziesz kłamać, będziesz żałować. |
| If it rains tomorrow, we will be cold. | Jeśli jutro będzie padać, będzie nam zimno. |
| If you pass this exam, you will have a chance. | Jeżeli zdasz ten egzamin, będziesz mieć szansę. |
Negatives in Conditionals
To talk about what will happen if a condition is not met, or to state a negative outcome, simply add nie before the verb in either (or both) parts of the sentence.
| If you do not pass the exam, I will not buy you a computer. | Jeżeli nie zdasz egzaminu, nie kupię ci komputera. |
| If you do not work, you will not have money. | Jeśli nie będziesz pracować, nie będziesz mieć pieniędzy. |
Changing the Sentence Order
You do not always have to start your sentence with "if". Just like in English, you can lead with the outcome and place jeśli or jeżeli in the middle to connect the two thoughts.
| You will regret it if you do not study. | Będziesz żałować, jeśli nie będziesz się uczyć. |
| It will be very cold if it starts snowing. | Będzie bardzo zimno, jeżeli zacznie padać śnieg. |
Present Conditions
While the future tense is very common in these statements, you will use the present tense in both halves of the sentence when describing general facts or situations happening right now.
| If you lie, you have a big problem. | Jeżeli kłamiesz, masz duży problem. |
| If you know Polish well, you have a chance. | Jeśli dobrze znasz polski, masz szansę. |
