Language/Polish/Grammar/Nominative-Case
Objective: Gain an in-depth understanding of the Nominative case in Polish grammar, including its usage, noun declensions, and relevant rules.
PS: Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Polish Alphabet & Plurals.
I. Introduction[edit | edit source]
The Nominative case is the basic form of nouns in Polish. It's the form you'll find in dictionaries and is used for the subject of a sentence. In this lesson, we'll explore the usage of the Nominative case, noun declensions, and relevant rules.
II. Usage of the Nominative Case[edit | edit source]
Subject of a sentence[edit | edit source]
- The Nominative case is used for the subject or the main noun of a sentence, which usually performs the action of the verb. Example: Kot (cat) śpi (sleeps). "Kot" is in the Nominative case.
Predicate Nominative[edit | edit source]
- The Nominative case is also used for a noun that follows the verb "być" (to be) or "zostać" (to become) in its various forms. Example: Ona jest nauczycielką (She is a teacher). "Nauczycielką" is in the Nominative case.
III. Noun Declensions[edit | edit source]
Masculine Nouns[edit | edit source]
a. Animate (refers to living beings)
- Singular: no specific ending
- Plural: -owie / -i / -y
Example: chłopak (boy) → chłopcy (boys)
b. Inanimate (refers to non-living objects)
- Singular: no specific ending
- Plural: -y / -i
Example: dom (house) → domy (houses)
Exceptions: rok (year) → lata (years), człowiek (man) → ludzie (men)
Feminine Nouns[edit | edit source]
- Singular: -a / -i
- Plural: -y Example: dziewczyna (girl) → dziewczyny (girls)
Neuter Nouns[edit | edit source]
- Singular: -o / -ę / -um
- Plural: -a / -ęta Example: miasto (city) → miasta (cities)
IV. Relevant Rules[edit | edit source]
Adjective Agreement[edit | edit source]
- Adjectives in the Nominative case must agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and animacy.
Example: czerwony samochód (red car), czerwona książka (red book)
Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
- Personal pronouns in the Nominative case indicate the subject of the sentence.
Examples: ja (I), ty (you, singular), on (he), ona (she), ono (it), my (we), wy (you, plural), oni (they, masculine), one (they, non-masculine)
V. Exercises[edit | edit source]
- Identify the Nominative nouns in the following sentences and provide their English translation: a. Pies biega po trawie. b. Dziewczynka czyta książkę. c. Samochód jest nowy.
- Write the plural form of the following nouns in the Nominative case: a. ptak (bird) b. drzewo (tree) c. rower (bicycle)
- Make sentences using the given words in the Nominative case: a. kobieta, piękna, spacerować (woman, beautiful, to walk) b. chłopiec, zwinny, grać (boy, agile, to play)