Time Clauses with Odkąd
To talk about a new state or ongoing situation that began after a specific point in time, Polish uses the conjunction odkąd (since).
| since | odkąd |
When an ongoing action in the past triggered a current state, both the odkąd clause and the main clause will often use the present tense. This is similar to saying "since I have been doing X" in English.
| Since I've been working here, my well-being is very good. | Odkąd tu pracuję, moje samopoczucie jest bardzo dobre. |
| Since I've known this person, my problems have been disappearing. | Odkąd znam tego człowieka, moje problemy znikają. |
Past Events Creating New Realities
Very often, you will use odkąd to reflect on personal transitions and life changes. In these cases, the odkąd clause describes a completed past event (using a past tense verb), while the main clause describes the new, ongoing reality (using a present tense verb).
| Since I grew up, I have a different approach to life. | Odkąd dorosłem, mam inne podejście do życia. |
| Since she lost weight, she runs twice a week. | Odkąd schudła, biega dwa razy w tygodniu. |
| Since he changed his habits, he eats very healthily. | Odkąd zmienił nawyki, je bardzo zdrowo. |
Clause Order
Just like in English, the odkąd clause can sit at the beginning of the sentence or at the end. Regardless of the order, Polish always separates the two clauses with a comma.
| My well-being is better since I got used to the change. | Moje samopoczucie jest lepsze, odkąd przyzwyczaiłem się do zmiany. |
| It is hard to get used to the silence since the children grew up. | Trudno przyzwyczaić się do ciszy, odkąd dzieci dorosły. |
Emphasizing the Turning Point
You can add words like dopiero (only) directly before odkąd to emphasize that a positive or dramatic change in your life only happened as a result of that specific event.
| I've had a lot of strength only since I changed my habits. | Dopiero odkąd zmieniłem nawyki, mam dużo siły. |
