# za
## Translingual
### Symbol

za
* (international standards) ISO 639-1 language code for Zhuang.

## English
### Etymology 1

Shortened from pizza.

#### Alternative forms

* 'za

#### Pronunciation

* IPA: /zɑː/
* Rhymes: -ɑː

#### Noun

za (countable and uncountable, plural zas)
* (US, Canada, slang) Pizza.
** 1994, Sara Borins, The Real Guide to Canadian Universities, →ISBN, page 130:In fact, not ordering a SUB or ZA (pizza) is almost impossible since places to eat in Sackville include Subway (subs), Ed's (subs), Joey's (subs and za), Pizza Delight (mostly za), The Snack Shop (subs and za) and One Plus One (subs and za).
** 2006, Lee Simon, The restaurant dream?: an inside look at restaurant development, from concept to reality, →ISBN, page 44:But Chris, using some of his dated terminology, insisted that he wanted "za" for dinner. Back when Chris was a youngster in college, "za" was short for pizza--as if pizza were a lengthy word needing abbreviating.
** 2010, Jim Butcher, Turn Coat:They call me the Za-Lord.

##### Translations
### Etymology 2

From an apheretic pronunciation of exotic. Compare zaza (“exotic marijuana”).

#### Noun

za (uncountable)
* (slang) Exotic marijuana.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:marijuana
** 2021 April 23, “Just Say Det”, in A Gangsta's Pain‎, performed by Moneybagg Yo:Give me some Za, Percs, drank (Wow) / Lambo starburst paint (Wow)
** 2021 December 3, “What They Gon Say”‎performed by Ron Suno:I'm off the za, I'm smoking opps / He tryna run, he catch a shot (Boom)
** 2023 April 3, “A2Z/Euphoria 2”‎performed by BabyTron:Heavy on the za, but with the shrooms, I'm micro dosin' / Got the mini K up in the goose, I'm micro coatin'

### Etymology 3
#### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ziː/, /zʌ/
* (unstressed) IPA: /zə/
* Rhymes: -iː, -ʌ

#### Article

za
* Nonstandard spelling of the, mimicking foreign accents.
    Synonym: ze

### Etymology 4

From an apheretic pronunciation of wossat or (directly) of what's that.

#### Pronunciation

* (General American) IPA: /zæ˧˥/, /zə˧˥/, /zɑ˧˥/

#### Interjection

za
* An expression of surprise or confusion; compare wha, huh, eh.
** 2022 May 11, Dan Shive, El Goonish Shive (webcomic), Comic for Wednesday, May 11, 2022:"Really, the best evidence that Liam was under mind control is that everyone here is still alive." "Za?"

### References

* “za n.”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang, Jonathon Green, 2016–present

### Further reading

* “za”, in Urban Dictionary, launched 1999.

### Anagrams

* AZ, az, az-

## Azerbaijani
### Etymology

Borrowed from Arabic ظَاء (ẓāʔ).

### Noun

za (definite accusative zanı, plural zalar)
* the Arabic letter ظ

#### Further reading

* “za” in Obastan.com.

## Czech
### Etymology

Inherited from Old Czech za, from Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: [ˈza]
* Audio:(file)

### Preposition

za [with accusative]
* behind (movement) (to a place behind)
    sednout si za volant ― to sit down behind the wheel
    Schoval jsem se za auto. ― I hid behind the car.
* by (to grab by, to take by) (denotes the object being grabbed)
    Smím tě vzít za ruku? ― Can I hold your hand?
* in (time taken) (after time elapsed)
    Sejdeme se tady za dvě hodiny. ― Let's meet back here in two hours.
    Za celou dobu, co jsem ji znala, se ani nepodívala na jiného chlapa. ― For as long as I've known her, she never even looked at another man.
* for (amount accumulated during a certain period)
    údaje za leden 2022 ― data for January 2022
* for (in exchange of / in return for) (e.g. price)
    Kolik dolarů dostanu za 100 korun? ― How many dollars will I get for 100 crowns?
* for (struggle/fight for)
    boj za nezávislost ― struggle for independence
* on behalf of, for
    za vládu ― on behalf of the government
* (responsible) for
    Kdo za to odpovídá? ― Who is responsible for that? / Who is behind that?
* for (apologize for / grateful for)
    Se omlouvám za to, co jsem včera řekl. ― I apologize for what I said yesterday.
    Jsem vděčný za příležitost. ― I'm grateful for the opportunity.
* for, in favor of
    Je za trest smrti. ― He is in favor of the death penalty.
* as (consider as, recognize as)
    Pokládali jsme ho za přítele. ― We considered him a friend.
* per
    100 km za hodinu ― 100 km per hour

### Preposition

za [with instrumental]
* behind, beyond (location)
    Zahrada je za domem. ― The garden is behind the house.
* after
    den za dnem ― day after day
    Běžel za ním. ― He ran after him.
* to, toward, towards (movement towards a person)
    Pojď za mnou. ― Follow me. (Come to me).
    Děkuju ti moc, že jsi za mnou přijela do Prahy. ― Thank you for coming to Prague to see me. (lit: to me to Prague)
* behind (figuratively: in support)
    Všichni stojíme za vámi. ― We're all behind you.
* behind (indicating the cause)
    Ona je za tím vším? ― She is behind all this?

### Preposition

za [with genitive]
* during (during the time of)
    Brali jsme se za války. ― We got married during the war.
    Telefonovala za jízdy. ― She was talking on the phone while she was driving.

### Antonyms

* před

### Further reading

* “za”, in Příruční slovník jazyka českého (in Czech), 1935–1957
* “za”, in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého (in Czech), 1960–1971, 1989
* “za”, in Internetová jazyková příručka (in Czech), 2008–2025

## French
### Noun

za
* (obsolete, music) solfège syllable formerly used to represent B flat

## Friulian
### Alternative forms

* ğa (alternative orthography)

### Etymology

From Latin iam. Compare Italian già.

### Adverb

za
* already
    Synonym: biel

#### Derived terms

* dizà
* bielzà

## Hadza
### Etymology

* Bantu, cf. Isanzu -za 'to come'

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /dza/

### Verb

za
* to come
    Synonym: botcho

## Isthmus Zapotec
### Noun

za
* cloud

## Japanese
### Romanization

za
* The hiragana syllable ざ (za) or the katakana syllable ザ (za) in Hepburn romanization.

## Kalasha
### Noun

za
* sauce, curry, gravy, stew

## Kashubian
### Alternative forms

* zó

### Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za. Sense 1 is a semantic loan from Polish za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈza/
* Rhymes: -a
* Syllabification: za

### Preposition

za
* in, during [with genitive]
* behind, beyond, after denotes location [with instrumental]
* behind, beyond denotes movement [with accusative]

### Particle

za
* overly, excessively, too

#### Related terms

* za-

### Further reading

* Stefan Ramułt (1893) “za”, in Słownik języka pomorskiego czyli kaszubskiego (in Kashubian), page 258
* Eùgeniusz Gòłąbk (2011) “za”, in Słownik Polsko-Kaszubski / Słowôrz Pòlskò-Kaszëbsczi‎
* “za”, in Internetowi Słowôrz Kaszëbsczégò Jãzëka [Internet Dictionary of the Kashubian Language], Fundacja Kaszuby, 2022

## Lower Sorbian
### Alternative forms

* sa (obsolete)

### Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /za/

### Preposition

za
* for [with accusative]
    Žarim za nowy kompjuter. ― I’m saving for a new computer.
    Mam list za tebje. ― I have a letter for you.
    Wóna jo za amt kandiděrowała. ― She ran for an office.
    Něnto pokuśim za swóje zmólki. ― I’m paying for my mistakes now.
    Ja som raz za njogo źěłał. ― I used to work for him.
    Smej awto za 200 euro kupiłej. ― We bought a car for 200 euros.
    Za ten lětny cas jo južo pśeliš górucy. ― It’s already too hot for this time of year.
* in (after a period of time) [with accusative]
    Buźom tam za pěś minuty. ― I’ll be there in five minutes.
* behind (goal-oriented) [with accusative]
    Wón jo šeł za dom. ― He went behind the house.
* behind (stationary location) [with instrumental]
    Wón stoj za domom. ― He’s standing behind the house.

## Mandarin
### Romanization

za
* Nonstandard spelling of zā.
* Nonstandard spelling of zǎ.
* Nonstandard spelling of zá.

#### Usage notes

* Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.

## Mezquital Otomi
### Alternative forms

* z̄ǎ (obsolete)

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /zǎ/

### Noun

zǎ
* tree
* wood
* stick
* firewood

#### Derived terms

* hanxiza (“leaf litter”)
* meza
* ndu̱nza (“tree trunk”)
* uaza
* xiza (“holm oak”)
* xäza (“juniper”)
* za ga mai
* zakthuhni
* zathe
* ꞌyaza
* ꞌñäza

### References

* Andrews, Enriqueta (1950) Vocabulario otomí de Tasquillo, Hidalgo‎ (in Spanish), México, D.F.: Instituto Lingüístico de Verano, pages 40, 46, 63, 70
* Hernández Cruz, Luis, Victoria Torquemada, Moisés (2010) Diccionario del hñähñu (otomí) del Valle del Mezquital, estado de Hidalgo (Serie de vocabularios y diccionarios indígenas “Mariano Silva y Aceves”; 45)‎ (in Spanish), second edition, Instituto Lingüístico de Verano, A.C., page 397

## Northern Ndebele
### Etymology

From Proto-Bantu *-jìja.

### Verb

-za
* (intransitive) to come

#### Inflection

This verb needs an inflection-table template.

## Nupe
### Etymology

Clipping of ezà

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /zà/

### Noun

zà (plural zàzhì)
* Alternative form of ezà (“person; individual”)

## Old Czech
### Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: (13th CE) /ˈza/
* IPA: (15th CE) /ˈza/

### Preposition

za
* in, during [with genitive]
* behind, beyond denotes movement [with accusative]
* for, as, being
* in, after with time constructions [with accusative]
* behind denotes location [with instrumental]

#### Descendants

* Czech: za

### References

* Jan Gebauer (1903–1916) “za”, in Slovník staročeský (in Czech), Prague: Česká grafická společnost "unie", Česká akademie císaře Františka Josefa pro vědy, slovesnost a umění

## Old Polish
### Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za. First attested in the 14th century.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: (10th–15th CE) /za(ː)/
* IPA: (15th CE) /za/, /zɒ/

### Preposition

za
* (attested in Masovia) denotes location where an action is directed toward [with accusative]
** 1901 [1463-1465], Jan Rozwadowski, editor, De morte prologus [Rozmowa mistrza Polikarpa ze śmiercią]‎, Mierzeniec, Płock, line 448:Geszthly... vethknye sza nadrą kapyczą[Jestli... wetknie za nadrę kapicę]
* denotes movement to a location behind something behind [with accusative]
** Middle of the 15th century, Rozmyślanie o żywocie Pana Jezusa‎, page 820:Vzyąly (pro zvyązaly) yemu rącze opak albo za szye[Zwią[za]li jemu ręce opak albo za sie]
* denotes general location by, at [with accusative]
** Middle of the 15th century, Rozmyślanie o żywocie Pana Jezusa‎, page 630:Yze spadl stolcza vznak za drzvy[Iże spadł z stolca wznak za drzwi]
* denotes distance behind [with accusative]
** 1930 [c. 1455], “IV Reg”, in Ludwik Bernacki, editor, Biblia królowej Zofii (Biblia szaroszpatacka)‎, section 20,11:Naywodl cyen pan po tich rzøtkoch, gymysz ivsz bil sstøpyl na orloiv Achasowu zasyø za dzesyøcz slopyenyow (retrorsum decem gradibus)[Nawiodł cień Pan po tych rządkoch, jimiż już był zstąpił na orłoju Achasowu zasię za dzesięć słopieniow (retrorsum decem gradibus)]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes location of grabbing or contact by [with accusative]
** 1974 [1405], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, Roty kaliskie‎, volume IV, number 131, Kalisz:Yaco Yan... rwal gi sza wlosi[Jako Jan... rwał ji za włosy]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes how long an action occurs for [with accusative]
** c. 1301-1350, Kazania świętokrzyskie‎, Miechów, page cv 41:Taco tih crolew [syn boży żądnie tam] o chacal, ize za trinadesce dny ot narodena gih […][Tako tych krolew [Syn Boży żądnie tam]o czakał, iże za trzynadzieście dni ot narodzenia jich […] ]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes length after which an action will begin in [with accusative or instrumental]
** 1967 [1408], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, Roty kościańskie, volume III, number 376, Kościan:Jaco Potrasz Iandrzeya ne wranczil do pana santoczskego w pancz grziwen, ale za dve nedzeli na postauene[Jako Piotrasz Jędrzeja nie wręczył do pana Sątocskiego w pięć grzywien, ale za dwie niedzieli na postawienie]
* denotes position in time relative to a certain moment before
** 1877-1881 [1464], Władysław Wisłocki, editor, Katalog rękopisów Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, number 783:Ale ya thesch mlodzyenyecz we szyrzoda wthora za Popyelecz przed obyadem pyszma dokonal[Ale ja też młodzieniec we śrzodę wtorą za Popielec przed obiadem pisma dokonał]
* (attested in Masovia) denotes frequency of payment for; per [with accusative]
** 1895 [1448–1450], Mikołaj Suled, edited by Franciszek Piekosiński, Tłumaczenia polskie statutów ziemskich, Kodeks Świętosławów, Warka, page 47:Aby... pyenyądzi szwych poszyczayącz, nye wyączey za kaszdy thydzen (pro qualibet septimana) wszącz myely, nyszly tylko geną qwartą[Aby... pieniędzy swych pożyczając, nie więcej za każdy tydzień (pro qualibet septimana) wziąć mieli, niżli (czy niźli) tylko jeną kwartę]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) with an ordinal number; denotes which time in a sequence; for the _ time [with accusative]
    Synonym: po
** 1895 [Fifteenth century], Franciszek Piekosiński, editor, Tłumaczenia polskie statutów ziemskich. Kodeks Działyńskich I‎, Lesser Poland, page 58:Acz... w lesye drwa kv swemv poszythkv rąbal, ten, czyg lyas gest, za pyrwe ma wzącz syekyrą, za wtore syekyrą, plascz y suknya, za trzecze woly abo konye ma wzącz[Acz... w lesie drwa ku swemu pożytku rąbał, ten, czyj las jest, za pirwe ma wziąć siekirę, za wtore siekirę, płaszcz i suknią, za trzecie woły abo konie ma wziąć]
* used in verb government [with accusative or instrumental]
* (attested in Masovia, Silesia) denotes benefactive action for [with accusative or instrumental]
** 1937 [Second half of the 15th century], Józef Birkenmajer, editor, Bogarodzica dziewica. Analiza tekstu, treści i formy‎, number C, Warsaw:O swyathy Voczyesze..., prosz sza nasz gospodna[O święty Wociesze..., proś za nas Gospodna]
** 1937 [End of the 15th century–beginning of the 16th century], Józef Birkenmajer, editor, Bogarodzica dziewica. Analiza tekstu, treści i formy‎, number E, Cieszyn:O swyathy Voczyesze..., prosz sza nasz gospodna[O święty Wociesze..., proś za nas Gospodna]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes function or similarity as; for
** Beginning of the 15th century, Łukasz z Wielkiego Koźmina, Kazania gnieźnieńskie‎, Krakow, page 5a:Tako isczy Rymane szøcz gy ony sza boga bily mely[Tako iżci Rzymianie sąć ji oni za boga byli mieli]
** Middle of the 15th century, Rozmyślanie o żywocie Pana Jezusa‎, page 109:Od tego tako omdlal, yze owscheya za marthwe (quasi mortuus) lyezal[Od tego tako omdlał, iże owszeją za martwe (quasi mortuus) leżał]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes cost for [with accusative]
** 1959 [1387], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, Roty poznańskie, volume I, number 22, Poznań:Jaco ten scot, czso gy ranczil Prandotha Maczeyewy, ten stal za szecz grziwen[Jako ten skot, czso ji ręczył Prędota Maciejewi, ten stał za szeć grzywien]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes replacement with, for [with accusative]
** 1939 [end of the 14th century], Ryszard Ganszyniec, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Kubica, Ludwik Bernacki, editors, Psałterz florjański łacińsko-polsko-niemiecki [Sankt Florian Psalter]‎, Krakow: Zakład Narodowy imienia Ossolińskich, z zasiłkiem Sejmu Śląskiego [The Ossoliński National Institute: with the benefit of the Silesian Parliament], page 108:Za to (pro eo), by mø mylowaly, wwloczyly sø mne[Za to (pro eo), by mię miłowali, uwłoczyli są mnie]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes cause because of [with accusative or instrumental]
** c. 1301-1350, Kazania świętokrzyskie‎, Miechów, page cr 17:S taynego sircha [strumienie gor]skich slez za grehi uilige[Z tajnego sirca [strumienie gor]skich słez za grzechy wylije]
* (attested in Masovia) denotes manner [with accusative or instrumental]
** 1895 [1448–1450], Mikołaj Suled, edited by Franciszek Piekosiński, Tłumaczenia polskie statutów ziemskich, Kodeks Świętosławów, Warka, page 46:Abi nygeden... zemyenyn... kostek nye gygral na pozyczki..., yano tylko za pyenyądze gothowe (pecunia pro parata)[Aby nijeden... ziemienin... kostek nie jigrał na pożyczki..., jano tylko za pieniądze gotowe (pecunia pro parata)]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes aim or goal for [with accusative]
** 1939 [end of the 14th century], Ryszard Ganszyniec, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Kubica, Ludwik Bernacki, editors, Psałterz florjański łacińsko-polsko-niemiecki [Sankt Florian Psalter]‎, Krakow: Zakład Narodowy imienia Ossolińskich, z zasiłkiem Sejmu Śląskiego [The Ossoliński National Institute: with the benefit of the Silesian Parliament], page Ath 36:Genze cyrpal gest za zbawyenye nasze (pro salute nostra)[Jenże cirpiał jest za zbawienie nasze (pro salute nostra)]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes position behind something behind [with instrumental]
** 1981 [1403], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, t. V, A. Roty gnieźnieńskie, s. 76-274, number 125, Gniezno:Yaco Jarochna... rosipala copcze s prawem vsute a za timi kopczi vczinila dwadzeszcza grziwen scodi Zacharzewi, poszegwszi domi y dzena[Jako Jarochna... rozsypała kopce z prawem usute a za tymi kopcy uczyniła dwadzieścia grzywien szkody Zacharzewi, pożegwszy domy i dzienia]
* denotes the leader or causer of an action
** 1861 [1398], Pismo poświęcone naukom, sztukom i przemysłowi‎, volume III, Biblioteka Warszawska, page 34:Tedi poslali comornika hy vosnego... prossącz gych prze bok, aby gim othpuscili przissangą hy kgnew pirwey, nisli posli hy ius copczi począti snamonowacz za nimi[Tedy posłali komornika hi woźnego... prosząc jich prze Bog, aby jim otpuścili przysięgę hi [k]gniew pirwej, niżli (czy niźli) poszli hi już kopcy poczęty snamionować za nimi]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes connection with someone with [with instrumental]
** 1939 [end of the 14th century], Ryszard Ganszyniec, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Kubica, Ludwik Bernacki, editors, Psałterz florjański łacińsko-polsko-niemiecki [Sankt Florian Psalter]‎, Krakow: Zakład Narodowy imienia Ossolińskich, z zasiłkiem Sejmu Śląskiego [The Ossoliński National Institute: with the benefit of the Silesian Parliament], page 62,8:Przistala iest dusza moia za tobø (adhaesit... post te)[Przystała jest dusza moja za tobą (adhaesit... post te)]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes when something occurs at, during [with instrumental or genitive]
** 1888 [1404], Romuald Hube, editor, Zbiór rot przysiąg sądowych poznańskich, kościańskich, kaliskich, sieradzkich, piotrkowskich i dobrzyszyckich z końca wieku XIV i pierwszych lat wieku XV‎, Greater Poland, page 118:Iacom Maczeya ne szyndowal swym pomocznykem za dnem any za noczø korzystnø rzeczø[Jakom Macieja nie szyndował swym pomocnikiem za dniem ani za nocą korzystną rzeczą]
* (attested in Greater Poland) based on [with instrumental]
** 1888 [1402], Romuald Hube, editor, Zbiór rot przysiąg sądowych poznańskich, kościańskich, kaliskich, sieradzkich, piotrkowskich i dobrzyszyckich z końca wieku XIV i pierwszych lat wieku XV‎, Greater Poland, page 101:Eze Groth yma trzi grziwni y osm groszi na Cusszowey czøsczi y za nim szedzi i plat yemu ma placzicz[Eże Grot ima trzy grzywny i ośm groszy na Kuszowej części i za nim siedzi i płat jemu ma płacić]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes actions occurring alongside other actions [with instrumental]
** 1967 [1424], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, Roty kościańskie, volume III, number 1064, Kościan:Iaco kedy *nyeprzyeczele byezeli w zemya a [a] sskodzyly zemyą a kyedy pan Barthoss byezal za pogonem..., tedy nye slal do domv pana Gila, aby byezal za nyeprzyaczelmy[Jako kiedy nieprzyjaciele bieżeli w ziemię a [a] szkodzili ziemię a kiedy pan Bartosz bieżał za pogonem..., tedy nie słał do domu pana Gila, aby bieżał za nieprzyjacielmi]
* (attested in Lesser Poland) denotes object of payment for work [with instrumental]
** 1939 [end of the 14th century], Ryszard Ganszyniec, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Kubica, Ludwik Bernacki, editors, Psałterz florjański łacińsko-polsko-niemiecki [Sankt Florian Psalter]‎, Krakow: Zakład Narodowy imienia Ossolińskich, z zasiłkiem Sejmu Śląskiego [The Ossoliński National Institute: with the benefit of the Silesian Parliament], page Ann 7:Napelneny pyrzwey, za chlebmy sø se posadzely (pro panibus se locaverunt I Reg 2, 5)[Napełnieni pirzwej, za chlebmi są sie posadzieli (pro panibus se locaverunt I Reg 2, 5)]
* (attested in Greater Poland) denotes an accompanying object
** 1974 [1402], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, Roty kaliskie‎, volume IV, number 52, Kalisz:Kedi[by] mi ne dal tego lista, tedibi mi swog mal na sø dacz sza swø peczanczø[Kiedy[by] mi nie dał tego lista, tedyby mi swoj miał na się dać za swą pieczęcią]

### Postposition

za
* The meaning of this term is uncertain.
** 1959 [1398], Henryk Kowalewicz, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz, editors, Wielkopolskie roty sądowe XIV-XV wieku, Roty poznańskie, volume I, number 381, Poznań:Yssze Marczin ne odmouil Yana szoltisa od rok za swego pana za Wolwrama[Iże Marcin nie odmowił Jana sołtysa od rok za swego pana za Wolframa]

### Particle

za
* (attested in Masovia) interrogative particle: introduces a yes-no question
    Synonym: azali
** 1901 [1463-1465], Jan Rozwadowski, editor, De morte prologus [Rozmowa mistrza Polikarpa ze śmiercią]‎, Mierzeniec, Płock, line w. 82:Wstan, mystrzv, othpovyecz, gyesthly vmyesz. Za po polskv nye *roszvnyesz?[Wstań, mistrzu, otpowiedz, jestli umiesz. Za po polsku nie rozumiesz?]
* (attested in Greater Poland) combines with interrogatigives to mean what kind (of)
** 1858 [c. 1408], Wojciech Szurkowski z Ponieca, “Wyroki sądów miejskich czyli ortyle [Urban court rulings i.e. "Ortyls"]”, in Wacław Aleksander Maciejowski, editor, Historia prawodawstw słowiańskich [History of Slavic lawmaking], volume 6, Poniec, page 26:Czo za prawo myedzy thema dwema?[Co za prawo miedzy tema dwiema?]

#### Derived terms

* za dar
* za jedno
* za nic
* za-

#### Descendants

* Polish: za
* Silesian: za

### References

* B. Sieradzka-Baziur, Ewa Deptuchowa, Joanna Duska, Mariusz Frodyma, Beata Hejmo, Dorota Janeczko, Katarzyna Jasińska, Krystyna Kajtoch, Joanna Kozioł, Marian Kucała, Dorota Mika, Gabriela Niemiec, Urszula Poprawska, Elżbieta Supranowicz, Ludwika Szelachowska-Winiarzowa, Zofia Wanicowa, Piotr Szpor, Bartłomiej Borek, editors (2011–2015), “za”, in Słownik pojęciowy języka staropolskiego [Conceptual Dictionary of Old Polish] (in Polish), Kraków: IJP PAN, →ISBN

## Polish
### Etymology

Inherited from Old Polish za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈza/
* (Middle Polish) IPA: /ˈza/, /zɒ/
* Audio 1:(file)
* Audio 2:(file)
* Audio 3:(file)
* Rhymes: -a
* Syllabification: za

### Particle

za
* overly, excessively, too
    Synonym: zbyt
    Ta koszula jest dla mnie za mała. ― This shirt is too small for me.

#### Trivia

According to Słownik frekwencyjny polszczyzny współczesnej (1990), za (particle) is one of the most used words in Polish, appearing 1 time in scientific texts, 0 times in news, 0 times in essays, 8 times in fiction, and 59 times in plays, each out of a corpus of 100,000 words, totaling 68 times, making it the 957th most common word in a corpus of 500,000 words.

### Preposition

za
* behind, beyond, after denotes location [with instrumental]
    Dzieci schowały się za murem. ― The children hid behind the wall.
    Skręć w prawo tuż za restauracją. ― Turn right just after the restaurant.
* behind indicates the cause of something [with instrumental]
    Ciekawe, co kryje się za jej dziwnym zachowaniem. ― I wonder what's behind her strange behaviour.
* for, in favour of [with instrumental]
    Jestem za strajkiem. ― I am in favour of the strike.
    Czy ona jest za naszym pomysłem? ― Is she for our idea?
* after later in time or sequence [with instrumental]
    Synonym: po
    godzina za godziną ― hour after hour
* behind, beyond denotes movement [with accusative]
    Wyjeżdżamy za granicę na kilka dni. ― We're going abroad for a few days. (literally, “We're going beyond the border for a few days.”)
* by denotes the object being grabbed [with accusative]
    Trzymać kogoś za rękę. ― To hold someone by the hand.
* in, to with time constructions [with accusative]
    Za miesiąc będę miał 25 lat. ― In a month I'll be 25 years old.
    za pięć szósta ― five (minutes) to six
* for, in return for [with accusative]
    On był wdzięczny za naszą pomoc. ― He was grateful for our help.
    Ile zapłaciłeś za to? ― How much did you pay for this?
* in, during [with genitive]
    za starych czasów ― in olden times/in olden times
    za królowej Wiktorii ― during Queen Victoria's reign

#### Derived terms

* zanim
* dzień za dniem
* raz za razem
* za dnia
* za pozwoleniem
* zarazem
* co za
* być za pan brat

#### Trivia

According to Słownik frekwencyjny polszczyzny współczesnej (1990), za (particle) is one of the most used words in Polish, appearing 170 times in scientific texts, 192 times in news, 226 times in essays, 412 times in fiction, and 336 times in plays, each out of a corpus of 100,000 words, totaling 1336 times, making it the 30th most common word in a corpus of 500,000 words.

### References

* ↑ Ida Kurcz (1990) “za (particle)”, in Słownik frekwencyjny polszczyzny współczesnej [Frequency dictionary of the Polish language] (in Polish), volume 2, Kraków, Warszawa: Polska Akademia Nauk. Instytut Języka Polskiego, page 723
* ↑ Ida Kurcz (1990) “za (particle)”, in Słownik frekwencyjny polszczyzny współczesnej [Frequency dictionary of the Polish language] (in Polish), volume 2, Kraków, Warszawa: Polska Akademia Nauk. Instytut Języka Polskiego, page 723

### Further reading

* za in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
* za in Polish dictionaries at PWN
* “ZA_I”, in Elektroniczny Słownik Języka Polskiego XVII i XVIII Wieku [Electronic Dictionary of the Polish Language of the XVII and XVIII Century], 06.07.2009
* “ZA_II”, in Elektroniczny Słownik Języka Polskiego XVII i XVIII Wieku [Electronic Dictionary of the Polish Language of the XVII and XVIII Century], 06.07.2009
* Samuel Bogumił Linde (1807–1814) “za”, in Słownik języka polskiego
* Aleksander Zdanowicz (1861) “za”, in Słownik języka polskiego, Wilno 1861
* J. Karłowicz, A. Kryński, W. Niedźwiedzki, editors (1927), “za”, in Słownik języka polskiego (in Polish), volume 8, Warsaw, page 6

## Rwanda-Rundi
### Etymology

From Proto-Bantu *-jìja.

### Verb

-za (infinitive kūza, perfective -je)
* to come

#### Usage notes

Both the present and perfective stems cause the preceding vowel to be lengthened.

## Serbo-Croatian
### Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /za/

### Preposition

za (Cyrillic spelling за)
* for (expressing a reason) [with accusative]
    glasati za nekoga ― to vote for somebody
    prodati nešto za 100 dolara ― to sell something for a hundred dollars
    platiti za radoznalost ― to pay for one's curiosity
    bojati se za nekoga ― to fear for somebody
    doći kući za praznike ― to come home for the holiday season
* behind, in back of, at (without change of position, answering the question gdjȅ/gdȅ) [with instrumental]
    sjediti/sedeti za stolom ― to sit at the table
    Idi za mnom. ― Follow me. (Go behind me.)
* during [with genitive]
    za dana ― during the day, during daylight
    za života ― during one's life
    za vr(ij)eme rata ― during the war
* to, toward [with accusative]
    cesta za Beč ― the road to Vienna
    putovati za Beč ― to travel to Vienna
* in (in expressions with time) [with accusative]
    doći opet za nekoliko dana ― to come back in a few days
    pretrčati 100 metara za 9 sekundi ― to run 100 meters in 9 seconds
* by [with accusative]
    uzeti za ruku ― to take by the hand
    uhvatiti za ruku ― to grab by the arm
    vući za uši ― to pull by the ears
* for, as (with verbs denoting naming, appointing, declaring, considering, etc.) [with accusative]
    postaviti nekoga za preds(j)ednika ― to appoint somebody president
    držati nekoga za pametnog čov(j)eka ― to consider somebody a smart person
* after [with instrumental]
    jedan za drugim ― one after another
    praviti grešku za greškom ― to make one error after another; to make errors repeatedly
    Ponovite za mnom. ― Repeat after me.
* for [with instrumental]
    tugovati za nekim ― to grieve for somebody
    čeznuti za srećom ― to yearn for happiness
    Ljudi koji svakodnevno imaju potrebu za čokoladnim stvarima. ― People who have a daily need for chocolate stuff.
    Često se misli da je želja za određenom vrstom hrane psihološke prirode. ― It is often thought that the desire for certain type of food is of psychological nature.

## Sicilian
### Etymology

From Late Latin thia, from Ancient Greek θεία (theía).

### Noun

za
* aunt

#### Related terms

* tzitzi
* zu

## Silesian
### Alternative forms

* zŏ

### Etymology

Inherited from Old Polish za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈza/
* Audio:(file)
* Rhymes: -a
* Syllabification: za

### Preposition

za
* denotes location; behind [with instrumental]
* denotes movement; behind, beyond [with instrumental]
* denotes period; in, during [with genitive]
* denotes object of emotions; for [with instrumental]
* denotes object of exchange; for [with accusative]
* denotes source or cause; for [with genitive]
* denotes desired object; for [with accusative]
* denotes time; in [with accusative]
    Synonym: po
* with repeated nouns; denotes time after [with instrumental]
    Synonym: po
    dziyń za dniym ― day after day
* denotes location not within; outside [with instrumental]
    Synonyms: pod, poza
    Antonym: w
* with an ordinal number and rŏz for (the Xth time) [with instrumental]
    Synonym: po
* indicates amount; for [with accusative]
* used to denote elapsing time; in [with accusative]
* denotes profession. [with accusative]
* denotes a trait; for, as [with accusative]

#### Related terms

* za-

### Further reading

* za in dykcjonorz.eu
* za in silling.org

## Slovak
### Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: [za]

### Preposition

za
This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

### Further reading

* “za”, in Slovníkový portál Jazykovedného ústavu Ľ. Štúra SAV [Dictionary portal of the Ľ. Štúr Institute of Linguistics, Slovak Academy of Science] (in Slovak), https://slovnik.juls.savba.sk, 2003–2025

## Slovene
### Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /za/

### Preposition

za
* This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}. [with genitive]
* behind (stationary) [with instrumental]
* after, following (in time) [with instrumental]
* behind (motion to) [with accusative]
* for [with accusative]

### Further reading

* “za”, in Slovarji Inštituta za slovenski jezik Frana Ramovša ZRC SAZU (in Slovene), 2014–2025

## Slovincian
### Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *za.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈza/
* Rhymes: -a
* Syllabification: za

### Preposition

za [with case]
* denotes movement; behind, beyond [with accusative]
* denotes object being grabbed; by [with accusative]
* denotes time after which something happens; in [with accusative]
* denotes object of defense, help, etc.; for [with accusative]
* denotes object of exchange; for [with accusative]
* denotes aim or object of determination; for [with accusative]
* denotes manner of buying and selling; for [with accusative]
* denotes location; behind [with instrumental]
* denotes object of desire; for [with instrumental]

#### Derived terms

* za czasã
* co za
* za-

### Further reading

* Lorentz, Friedrich (1912) “zã”, in Slovinzisches Wörterbuch‎ (in German), volume 2, Saint Petersburg: ОРЯС ИАН, page 1284

## Spanish
### Interjection

za (¡za!)
* (usually said to an animal) scat, get out of here, shoo

### Further reading

* “za”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 2024 December 10

## Sumerian
### Romanization

za
* Romanization of 𒍝 (za)

## Swahili

Other scripts :
| Ajami | زَـ |

### Particle

za
* n class$_{(X)}$ inflected form of -a

## Tedim Chin
### Etymology

From Proto-Kuki-Chin *yan, from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *b-r-gya.

### Numeral

za
* hundred

#### References

* Zomi Ordbog based on the work of D.L. Haokip

## Volapük
### Etymology

From Latin circa (“around”) and its descendants, ultimately from Ancient Greek κρίκος (kríkos, “ring”).

### Pronunciation

IPA: /t͡sa/

### Preposition

za
* around, about, approximately, circa

#### See also

* dö (“about, of, concerning”)

## Xhosa
### Etymology

From Proto-Bantu *-jìja.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: [z̥a̤]

### Verb

-za
* (intransitive) to come

#### Inflection

This verb needs an inflection-table template.

#### Related terms

* -zama

## Zou
### Etymology

From Proto-Kuki-Chin *yan, from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *b-r-gya.

### Numeral

za
* hundred

#### References

* Lukram Himmat Singh (2013) A Descriptive Grammar of Zou, Canchipur: Manipur University

## Zulu
### Etymology

From Proto-Bantu *-jìja.

### Pronunciation

IPA: /za/

### Verb

-za
* (intransitive) to come

#### Related terms

* -zama

### References

* C. M. Doke, B. W. Vilakazi (1972) “za”, in Zulu-English Dictionary, →ISBN: “za”