Back
Advanced

The Conditional

The particle би / б

Conditional = past tense + би/б

'would do'.

📊 Conditional with би / б
Structure Example Meaning
past + би/б я б пішов I would go
якби ... , ... би якби я знав... if I knew...
щоб + past щоб він прийшов so that he comes
💬 Examples
Я б пішов.
Ya b pishov.
I would go. (m)
📝 past form + б
Я хотів би каву.
Ya khotiv by kavu.
I would like a coffee. (m)
📝 хотів би = polite 'I'd like'
Used for politeness and hypotheticals

би/б softens requests.

💬 Examples
Ви не могли б допомогти?
Vy ne mohly b dopomohty?
Could you help (me)?
📝 Polite request (могли б)
Я хотів би замовити столик.
Ya khotiv by zamovyty stolyk.
I'd like to book a table.
📝 Polite 'I'd like'
якби = 'if' for unreal conditions

Pairs with би in both clauses.

💬 Examples
Якби я знав, я б сказав.
Yakby ya znav, ya b skazav.
If I knew, I would tell (you).
📝 якби + би in both clauses
Якби був час, я б прийшов.
Yakby buv chas, ya b pryyshov.
If there were time, I would come.
📝 Unreal condition