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бы

daily used word (top 100)B1
  • 1.

    would (be able to)

Usage info

A verbal particle used to render conditional and subjunctive patterns. The particle "бы" may come before or after the verb it is targeting.

Hypothetically speaking: что было бы, если бы он смог выбрать другое направление в жизни? - What would be, hypothetically speaking, if, hypothetically speaking, he could choose another direction in life?

как бы: how to

Examples

Fixed expressions

Typical usage

  • Core conditional/subjunctive

    • Е́сли бы ..., то ...

      If ..., then ... (counterfactual)

    • Е́сли бы не + сущ./инф.

      If it weren’t for + noun/infinitive

    • Я бы пошёл (сдела́л и т. п.)

      I would go/do, etc.

    • Я бы был рад + инф.

      I’d be glad to + verb

  • Polite advice and wishes

    • Лу́чше бы + прош. вр.

      You’d better ...

    • Сто́ило бы + инф.

      It would be worth ...

    • Не помеша́ло бы + инф.

      It wouldn’t hurt to ...

    • Хорошо́ бы + инф.

      It would be good to ...

  • “Как бы”: hedging and concern

    • Как бы не + инф./прош. вр.

      I’m worried (lest) ...; hope ... doesn’t

    • Как бы (хедж)

      kind of / sort of (hedge)

    • Как бы помя́гче сказа́ть...

      How to put it more gently...

    • ...бы и рад, да (но) ...

      would be glad to, but ...

LockedUnlock typical usages

Related words

  • чтоб

    to 

  • быть

    to be; (present tense) 'есть' -- there is; (past tense) 'был' -- was; (future tense) 'будет' -- will be 

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Contributions

  • drvuquangson edited translation 3 years ago.
  • drvuquangson edited usage info 3 years ago.
  • drvuquangson edited usage info 3 years ago.
  • drvuquangson edited usage info 3 years ago.

Other Sources (auto generated)

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