Conjunctions: і(й), а, ды

The conjunction **і** means 'and' and is used to join similar things together. After vowels, 'і' often shortens to **й**: - Віця **і** Ганна → Віця й Ганна Use 'і' to connect similar items, ideas, or clauses.

Ві́ця і Га́нна — Vitsya and Hanna

Ві́ця маха́е руко́й і Га́нна. — Vitsya waves and Hanna too.

Я ве́даю яго́, і ты ве́даеш. — I know him, and you know (him too).

The conjunction **а** is used to contrast or compare two things. It can mean 'and' (with a sense of 'whereas') or 'but'. Use 'а' when the second part adds different or contrasting information.

А як про́зьвішча? — And what about the last name?

Гэ́та Ві́ця, а гэ́та Ю́рка. — This is Vitsya, and this is Yurka.

Я ве́даю, а ты не ве́даеш. — I know, but you don't.

The conjunction **ды** is another way to say 'and', similar to 'і'. It can also mean 'but' in some contexts. It's often used in folk-style or colloquial speech.

хло́пцы ды дзяўча́ты — boys and girls

брат ды сястра́ — brother and sister

All three conjunctions can mean 'and', but with different nuances:

Introduction

і — and

Introduction

а — and (contrast) / but

Introduction

ды — and (also)

Vocabulary

Practice

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