Language/Polish/Grammar/Genitive-Case
The genitive case is one of the seven cases in the Polish language, and it is used to indicate possession, negation, and certain prepositions. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of the genitive case, including its formation, usage, and examples.
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Definite and Indefinite Articles & Declension of nouns deklinacja rzeczowników.
Formation of the Genitive Case:[edit | edit source]
The genitive case is formed by adding specific endings to the stem of the noun, depending on the gender and animacy of the noun.
Masculine animate: The ending -a is added to the stem ending in -o, -e or -a.
Example: Dom -> doma
Masculine inanimate: The ending -a is added to the stem.
Example: Stół -> stołu
Feminine: The ending -y or -i is added to the stem.
Example: Książka -> książki
Neuter: The ending -a is added to the stem.
Example: Dziecko -> dziecka
Usage of the Genitive Case:[edit | edit source]
Possession:[edit | edit source]
The genitive case is used to indicate possession. It answers the question "whose?" in Polish.
Example: Mam nową książkę mojego brata. (I have a new book of my brother.)
Negation:[edit | edit source]
The genitive case is used after negation words like nie (not), nic (nothing), nikt (nobody), żaden (none) to indicate the lack of something.
Example: Nie mam czasu na czytanie książek. (I do not have time for reading books.)
Certain Prepositions:[edit | edit source]
The genitive case is used after certain prepositions like bez (without), od (from), zamiast (instead of), and przez (through) among others.
Example: Bez ciebie nie byłoby mnie tutaj. (Without you, I would not be here.)
Quantifiers:[edit | edit source]
The genitive case is used after certain quantifiers like dużo (a lot), mało (little), kilka (a few) to indicate the amount or quantity of something.
Example: Kupiłem dużo jabłek na targu. (I bought a lot of apples at the market.)
Adjectives:[edit | edit source]
The genitive case is used after certain adjectives that express negative emotions or opinions, such as zły (angry), brak (lack), potrzeba (need), and chęć (desire).
Example: Mam dużą potrzebę odpoczynku. (I have a great need for rest.)
Examples of Genitive Case in Context:[edit | edit source]
- Kupiłem nową koszulę mojego brata. (I bought a new shirt of my brother.)
- Nie mam czasu na naukę języka polskiego. (I do not have time for learning Polish.)
- Wyszedłem z domu bez kluczy. (I left the house without keys.)
- Kupiłem kilka książek fantasy. (I bought a few fantasy books.)
- Jego zły humor zepsuł mi cały dzień. (His bad mood ruined my whole day.)
- Jest potrzeba dokładnego planowania każdego projektu. (There is a need for precise planning of every project.)
- Wiele ludzi zna język angielski. (Many people know English.)
In conclusion, the genitive case is an important case in Polish grammar, used to indicate possession, negation, and certain prepositions. It is essential to learn the formation and usage of the genitive case in order to communicate effectively in Polish.