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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Polish|Polish]]  → [[Language/Polish/Grammar|Grammar]] → Cases</div>
[[File:Poland-Timeline-PolyglotClub.png|thumb]]
Hi Polish Learners! 😃 In today's lesson we will learn How to use '''CASES''' in Polish. Cases are very important in declension languages: they give meaning to sentences. This is why it is necessary to know how to use them correctly. There are '''7 Polish cases''':
# nominative (mianownik)
# genitive (dopełniacz)
# dative (celownik)
# accusative (biernik)
# instrumental (narzędnik)
# locative (miejscownik)
# vocative (wołacz)
We have listed below each case with its agreement rules and how to use it. Happy learning!


<span link>Finish this lesson and explore these related pages:</span> [[Language/Polish/Grammar/Gender|Gender]], [[Language/Polish/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Language/Polish/Grammar/Be-Polite|Be Polite]] & [[Language/Polish/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]].
__TOC__
== Nominative - "Mianownik" ==
=== When to use it? ===
So, let's start with the simplest case of all - the nominative (in Polish - mianownik). This is the basic name, as it appears in a dictionary (you need to have one to learn Polish well, of course). And this is the case which is used when a noun is the subject of a sentence.


For example, let's take one of the most beloved Polish drinks - Żubrówka. If you want to explain to someone what Żubrówka is, you would make a simple sentence like this: "Żubrówka is a type of vodka" which in Polish can be translated as: "Żubrówka jest rodzajem wódki".


{{Polish-Page-Top}}
The subject of the sentence, Żubrówka does not acquire a "funky" ending (yes I confirm there are funky endings in Polish !!). It stays the same. You see ? Easy as pie! It's the other noun that have changed, but you'll see why as you explore the following cases.
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Polish|Polish]]  → [[Language/Polish/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Polish/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Intermediate Polish Grammar → Cases</div>


__TOC__
Another example: Student uczy się: the student studies, "Student" is here in the nominative form it therefore takes the basic form of the dictionary and it agrees in gender and numbers.


== Introduction ==
== Genitive - "Dopełniacz" ==


In this lesson, we will delve into the fascinating world of cases in Polish grammar. Cases are a crucial aspect of the Polish language, as they determine the role and function of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and even some verbs in a sentence. Understanding cases is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in Polish. In this lesson, we will explore the different forms and uses of cases, providing you with a solid foundation to continue your journey towards mastering the Polish language.
=== When to use it? ===
The genitive is mainly used to express possession.
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Samochód mojego brata.
|Rower studenta.
|-
!'''Translation'''
|My brother's car.
|The student's bike.
|}


== Nominative Case ==
But also in the following cases:
* provenance or destination: ''idę do domu'' - I'm going home
* ''wracam od studenta'': i come back from (at) the student
* object complement in negative sentence: ''nie lubię studenta'' - I don't like the student
* after certain verbs (''szukać'': to look for - ''potrzebować'': to need ...): ''szukam studenta'' - I am looking for a student


Let's start with the nominative case, which is the default case for subjects and objects in a sentence. Nouns and pronouns in the nominative case typically function as the subject of a sentence or as the object of a verb. The nominative case is used to identify or describe the subject or object without any additional changes to the word form.
===Rules of agreement===


Examples:
==== Nouns ====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| kot  || [kɔt] || cat
! colspan="4" |'''Singular'''
! colspan="3" |'''Plural'''
|-
|-
| pies  || [pʲɛs] || dog
! colspan="2" |'''Masculine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Feminine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Neutral'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Masculine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Feminine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Neutral'''
|-
|-
| jabłko  || [ˈjabw.kɔ] || apple
!'''lively'''
!'''inanimate'''
|-
|-
| chłopiec  || [ˈxwɔ.pʲɛt͡ɕ] || boy
|<nowiki>-a</nowiki><sup>[1]</sup>
|<nowiki>-u </nowiki><sup>[2]</sup>
|'''M''' -i
 
'''I''' , '''D'''  : -y <sup>[3]</sup>
|<nowiki>-a</nowiki>
|'''D''' -ów
 
'''I''' -y
 
'''M''' -i
| -Ø
| -Ø
|}
 
==== Adjectives ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| dziewczyna  || [dʑɛˈʂt͡ɕɨ.na] || girl
! colspan="3" |'''Singular'''
!'''Plural'''
|-
|-
| ja  || [ja] || I
!'''Masculine'''
!'''Feminine'''
!'''Neutral'''
!'''All kinds'''
|-
|-
| ty  || [tɨ] || you (singular)
|<nowiki>-ego</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-not</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-ego</nowiki>
|s
|}
|}
# Nouns that are declined with ''-a'' are animated nouns, for the nouns of months, dishes, tools, measures, weights and coins, dances, parts of the body, for nouns in <code>-ik</code> / <code>-yk</code>, for city names in <code>-burg</code>.
# Nouns that decline with ''<code>-u</code>'' are inanimate nouns borrowed from other languages, abstract ideas, collectives (including las, forest), substances, days, cities in <code>-grad, -gród, -gard</code> , states and regions.
# Nouns ending in <code>-ia</code> take <code>-i</code> if they are of Polish origin or <code>-ii</code> if they are of foreign origin.


== Accusative Case ==
====Notes====
* '''M''' means "soft"
* '''I''' means "intermediates"
* '''D''' means "hard"
* '''-Ø''' means we remove the last consonant.


The accusative case is used to indicate the direct object of a verb or a preposition. In English, this is often equivalent to the noun being "acted upon" or "affected" by the verb. In Polish, nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in the accusative case undergo changes in their form, such as endings or spelling modifications.
===Examples===
'''Agreement: '''''nominative (gender): genitive singular, genitive plural''


Examples:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
!'''Polish'''
!'''Translation'''
|-
|kot (masc.) : kota, kotów
|cat
|-
|telefon (masc.) : telefonu, telefonów
|the phone
|-
|gwiazda (fem.) : gwiazdy, gwiazd
|the star
|-
|-
| widzę kota  || [ˈvʲid͡z̪ʲɛ ˈkɔ.t̪a] || I see a cat
|noc (fem. and consonant) : nocy, nocy
|the night
|-
|-
| lubię psy  || [ˈlu.bʲɛ psɨ] || I like dogs
|pilot (masc.) : pilota, pilotów
|the pilot
|-
|-
| jem jabłka  || [jɛm ˈja.bw.kɑ] || I eat apples
|meteoryt (masc.) : meteorytu, meteorytów
|the meteorite
|-
|-
| widzę chłopca  || [ˈvʲid͡z̪ʲɛ xwɔp.t͡sa] || I see a boy
|planeta (fem.) : planety, planet
|the planet
|-
|-
| widzę dziewczynę  || [ˈvʲid͡z̪ʲɛ d͡ʑɛˈʂt͡ɕɨ.nɛ] || I see a girl
|jezioro (neutral) : jeziora, jezior
|Lake
|} 
 
== Dative - "Celownik" which comes from celować (to aim). ==
 
=== When to use it? ===
The dative is used when speaking ''for'' or ''towards (or to)'' a person. We use the dative without marking the preposition ''for'' .
* ''dziękuję studentowi'': I thank the student (literally I thank the student)
* ''obiecałam studentowi, że przyjdę'': I promised the student that I would come
*''daję ci to'': I'm giving this to you
 
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|dzieciom.
|-
|-
| widzę ciebie  || [ˈvʲid͡z̪ʲɛ ˈt͡ɕɛ.bʲɛ] || I see you (singular)
!'''Translation'''
|For kids.
|}
|}


== Genitive Case ==
The use of + dative ''verse'' is rare and archaic (we will rather use ''ku'' + genitive; this is archaic/old-fashioned).


The genitive case is used to indicate possession, negation, and some prepositions. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in the genitive case often undergo changes in their form, such as endings or spelling modifications. It is important to note that the genitive case has various forms and is not limited to a single pattern.
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|ku dziecku
|-
!'''Translation'''
|Towards (the) child.
|}


Examples:
===Rules of agreement===
====Declension of  the singular dative====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
!''' '''
!'''Adjectives'''
!'''Nouns'''
|-
|-
| dom kota  || [dɔm ˈkɔ.t̪a] || the cat's house
!Masculine
|<nowiki>-(i) emu</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-u, -u *</nowiki>
|-
|-
| piesa  || [ˈpʲɛ.sa] || of a dog
!Feminine
|<nowiki>- (i) ej</nowiki>
|'''D''' -'e ; '''M''' -y (-i)**
|-
|-
| nie ma jabłka  || [ɲɛ ma ˈja.bw.kɑ] || there is no apple
!Neutral
|<nowiki>-(i) emu</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-u ***</nowiki>
|}
====Dative plural  declension====
{| class="wikitable"
!''' '''
!'''Adjectives'''
!'''Nouns'''
|-
|-
| brak chłopca  || [brak xwɔp.t͡sa] || absence of a boy
!Masculine
|<nowiki>-ym (-im)</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-if</nowiki>
|-
|-
| potrzebuję dziewczyny  || [pɔ.tʂɛˈbujɛ d͡ʑɛˈʂt͡ɕɨ.nɨ] || I need a girl
!Feminine
|<nowiki>-ym (-im)</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-if</nowiki>
|-
|-
| nie widzę ciebie  || [ɲɛ ˈvʲid͡z̪ʲɛ ˈt͡ɕɛ.bʲɛ] || I don't see you (singular)
!Neutral
|<nowiki>-ym (-im)</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-if</nowiki>
|}
|}


== Dative Case ==
We use what is in parentheses when the noun (or adjective) ends in <code>''k'' , ''g'' or ''ch''</code> .
 
* Some nouns take a ''-<code>u</code>'' including ''ojciec, brat, chłop, chłopiec, pan, Bóg, ksiądz, diabeł, pies, kot, świat, lew''. 
* The Feminine nouns ending with <code>-''ia''</code> take <code>-i</code>, those ending with <code>-''i''</code> do not change and those ending in a consonant take <code>-y (-i)</code>.
 
== Accusative - "Biernik" which comes from bierny (passive). ==
 
direct object ''Widzę studenta'': I see the student after the verbs of movement with prepositions (na, po ...):
* ''idę na koncert'': I'm going to a concert


The dative case is used to indicate the indirect object of a verb or a preposition. In English, this is often equivalent to the noun receiving the action or benefit of the verb. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in the dative case undergo changes in their form, such as endings or spelling modifications.
The accusative is mainly used to express the direct object


Examples:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
!'''Polish'''
|Mam ''godzinę''.
|-
|-
| daj kociowi jedzenie  || [daj kɔt͡ɕɔ.vʲi jɛˈd͡zɛ.ɲɛ] || give food to the cat
!'''Translation'''
|I have an hour
|}
This case is also used after a verb-preposition pair:
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Czekam na ''mojego brata''.
|-
|-
| pomagam psom  || [pɔˈma.ɡam psɔm] || I help dogs
!'''Translation'''
|I am waiting for my brother.
|}
 
After '''przez''' (by, through), '''za '''(in or after a period of time; in exchange for), '''na''' (for, in the goal), '''w''' (to enter):
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Wchodzimy w ''las''.
|-
|-
| kupię jabłku  || [ˈku.pʲɛ jaˈbw.ku] || I will buy an apple
!'''Translation'''
|We enter the forest.
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Dziękuję za ''prezent''.
|-
|-
| podaruję chłopcu prezent  || [pɔˈda.rujɛ xwɔp.t͡su ˈprɛ.zɛnt] || I will give a present to the boy
!'''Translation'''
|Thank you for the gift.
|}
 
After '''nad,''' '''pod''', '''przed''' , '''za''' , prepositions shared with the instrumental and used with the accusative when they express a direction:
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
!Jedziemy nad ''morze''.
|-
|-
| pokażę dziewczynie to miejsce  || [pɔˈka.ʐɛ d͡ʑɛˈʂt͡ɕɨ.ɲɛ t̪ɔ ˈmjɛj̃.ʂɛ] || I will show the girl this place
|'''Translation'''
|We are going to the sea.
|}
 
To express a duration (''during''):
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Pracowałem tam ''jedną godzinę''.
|-
|-
| pomogę tobie  || [pɔˈmɔ.ɡɛ ˈtɔ.bʲɛ] || I will help you (singular)
!'''Translation'''
|I worked there for an hour.
|}
|}


== Instrumental Case ==
===Rules of agreement===


The instrumental case is used to indicate the means or tool by which an action is performed. It is also used after certain prepositions. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in the instrumental case undergo changes in their form, such as endings or spelling modifications.
==== Nouns ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" |'''Singular'''
! colspan="4" |'''Plural'''
|-
! colspan="2" |'''masculine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Feminine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Neutral'''
! colspan="2" |'''masculine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Feminine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Neutral'''
|-
|'''animated (human, animal)'''
|'''inanimate (an object or an idea)'''
|'''personal (human)'''
|'''impersonal (animals and objects)'''
|-
|<nowiki>-a</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
| -ę
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|= Genitive plural
|= Nominative plural
|= Nominative plural
|<nowiki>-a</nowiki>
|}


Examples:
==== Adjectives ====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| piszę długopisem  || [ˈpi.ʂɛ dwu.ɡɔˈpʲi.sɛm] || I write with a pen
! colspan="4" |'''Singular'''
! colspan="2" |'''Plural'''
|-
|-
| rozmawiam z psem  || [rɔz.mavʲam z̪ psɛm] || I talk with a dog
! colspan="2" |'''masculine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Feminine'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Neutral'''
! rowspan="2" |'''personal (human)'''
! rowspan="2" |'''Others'''
|-
|-
| maluję obrazem  || [maˈlujɛ ɔˈbrazɛm] || I paint with a brush
|'''lively'''
|'''inanimate (an object or an idea)'''
|-
|-
| grają na gitarze  || [ˈɡra.jɔ na ɡiˈtar.zɛ] || they play the guitar
| -ego
| -y
| -ą
| -e
| -ych
| -e
|}
 
====Notes====
* '''M''' means "soft"
* '''I''' means "intermediates"
* '''D''' means "hard"
* '''-Ø''' means we remove the last consonant.
* Declinations in <code>-y</code> or <code>-ych</code> change to <code>-i</code> and <code>-ich</code> if the preceding consonant is soft or is either <code>k'</code> , or <code>g</code> , or <code>ch</code>.
 
===Examples===
 
'''Agreement: '''''nominative (gender): accusative singular, accusative plural''
 
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|!'''Translation'''
|-
|kot (masc.) : kota, koty
|cat
|-
|telefon (masc.) : telefon, telefony
|the phone
|-
|-
| idę z dziewczyną  || [ˈi.dɛ z̪ d͡ʑɛˈʂt͡ɕɨ.nɔ̃] || I go with the girl
|gwiazda (fem.) : gwiazdę, gwiazdy
|the star
|-
|-
| mówię tobie  || [ˈmu.vʲɛ ˈtɔ.bʲɛ] || I speak to you (singular)
|noc (fem. + consonant) : noc, noce
|the night
|-
|pilot (masc.) : pilota, pilotów
|the pilot
|-
|meteoryt (masc.) : meteoryt, meteoryty
|the meteorite
|-
|planeta (fem.) : planetę, planety
|the planet
|-
|jezioro (neutral) : jezioro, jeziora
|Lake
|}
|}


== Locative Case ==
==Instrumental - "Narzędnik"==
===When to use it? ===
# The means or the instrument ": ''Jadę autobusem'': I'm going by bus
# Support: ''rozmawiam z studentem'': I speak with a student
# Subject attribute: ''jestem studentem'': I am a student


The locative case is used to indicate location or the place where something happens. It is also used after certain prepositions. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in the locative case undergo changes in their form, such as endings or spelling modifications.
The instrumental is probably the easiest case of all. In Polish its name is more exotic: narzędnik. Narzędnik comes from the word ''narzędzie'' which means tool, instrument.


Examples:
The Polish name of this case serves to recall one of the possible uses. That is to say, when we use something as a tool, we use the instrumental. 
 
For example :
* ''Dziecko je widelcem'' The child eats with a fork. 
* ''Studentka pisze ołówkiem'' The student writes with a pencil.
 
The instrumental must always appear after the preposition <code>z</code> in the sense of "with" (because <code>z</code> can also mean "of"), for example:
* dżin z tonikiem (gin tonic),
* kobieta z mężczyzną (woman with man),
* woda z lodem (water with ice cubes).
 
Another situation where we use the instrumental is after the verb <code>być</code> (to be) conjugated. 
 
For example:
* Ja jestem Polką. I am Polish.
* On jest rybakiem. He is a fisherman.
* One są babciami. They are grandmothers.
 
This rule does not apply to first names. We say: ''Jestem Ilona'' and not ''Jestem Iloną''. However, an actor could say ''Jestem Hamletem'', since it is not his first name but the role he plays.
 
We also use the instrumental when we speak of:
* nationality: On jest Serbem, One są Brazylijkami; = He is Serb, They are Brazilians;
* professions: My jesteśmy fryzjerkami, Ona jest antropolożką; = We are hairdressers, she is an anthropologist;
* family: On jest ojcem, Wy jesteście wnuczkami; = He is the father, you are granddaughters;
* sexual orientation: Jestem lesbijką, Oni są gejami; = I am a lesbian, They are gay;
* religion: Jesteś buddystą, Jestem ateistą = You are a Buddhist, I am an atheist
 
etc.
==== Singular agreement rules ====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| mieszkam w Polsce || [ˈmʲɛʂ.kam v pɔls.t͡sɛ] || I live in Poland
!'''Gender - Rodzaj'''
!'''Adjective'''
!'''Noun'''
!'''Examples'''
|-
|masculine - męski
| -ym
-k or -g + -im
| -em
-k or -g + -iem
-ą
|sympatycznym nauczyciel-em
sympatycznym Polak-iem
wysokim mężczyzn-ą
|-
!Feminine - żeński
| -ą
| -ą
|sympatyczn-ą nauczycielk-ą
wysoką kobiet-ą
miłą pani-ą
|-
!Neutral - Nijaki
| -k ou -g +-im
-ym
| -em
-k or -g + -iem
|polskim kin-em
sympatycznym dzieck-iem
|}
 
==== Plural agreement rules ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| spaceruję po parku  || [spaˈtsɛ.ru.jɛ pɔ ˈpar.ku] || I walk in the park
!'''Genre - Genus'''
!'''Adjective'''
!'''Noun'''
|'''Endings (Końcówki)'''
|-
|-
| idę do szkoły  || [ˈi.dɛ dɔ ˈʂkɔ.wɨ] || I go to school
|Masculine - męski
|sympatycznymi
|nauczycielami
mężczyznami
|adjectives in <code>-ymi</code> or <code>-k, -g + imi</code> and nouns take <code>-ami</code>
|-
|-
| jestem u przyjaciela  || [ˈjɛ.stɛm u pʂɨ.ˈja.t͡sɛ.la] || I am at my friend's place
|Feminine - żeński
|wysokimi
|kobietami
nauczycielkami
|adjectives in <code>-ymi</code> or <code>-k, -g + imi</code> and nouns take <code>-ami</code>
|-
|-
| mieszkam z dziewczyną  || [ˈmʲɛʂ.kam z̪ d͡ʑɛˈʂt͡ɕɨ.nɔ̃] || I live with the girl
|Neutral - Nijaki
|dobrymi
|autami
|adjectives in <code>-ymi</code> or <code>-k, -g + imi</code> and nouns take <code>-ami</code>
|}
 
==== Examples ====
The instrumental is mainly used to express the medium.
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Polecę samolotem.
|-
|-
| mówię do ciebie  || [ˈmu.vʲɛ dɔ ˈt͡ɕɛ.bʲɛ] || I speak to you (singular)
!'''Translation'''
|I'll go by plane.
|}
|}
Note that there is no translation for "en". It is the use of the case that gives the meaning to the sentence.


== Vocative Case ==
We also use this case with the preposition "with", '''z''' in Polish.
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Jestem z nimi.
|-
!'''Translation'''
|I am with them.
|}


The vocative case is used to address or call someone or something. It is often used in direct speech or when directly addressing a person or object. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in the vocative case undergo changes in their form, such as endings or spelling modifications.
Note: we can omit the preposition ''z'' .


Examples:
This case is also used with nouns called "predicates" (part of the sentence (or clause) that says something about the subject, other than naming it).
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Polish !! Pronunciation !! English
!'''Polish'''
|Nasz sąsiad jest lekarzem.
|-
|-
| Przyjacielu, przyjdź tutaj! || [pʂɨ.ˈja.t͡sɛ.lu pʂɨjt͡ɕ tu.ˈtaj] || Friend, come here!
!'''Translation'''
|Our neighbor is a doctor.
|}
 
== Locative - "Miejscownik" ==
 
Locative is mainly used to express the situation of something / someone. Always used with a preposition (o, w, przy ...),
* ''jestem w łazience'': I'm in the bathroom
* ''myślę o studencie'' - I think of the student
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Polish'''
|Czy on jeszcze mieszka w Polsce ?
|-
|-
| Kotku, chodź ze mną! || [ˈkɔt.ku xɔt͡ɕ zɛ mɲɔ̃] || Kitty, come with me!
!'''Translation'''
|Does he still live in Poland?
|}
 
===Rules of agreement===
 
==== Declension of the singular locative ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Mamo, zrobiłem to dla ciebie! || [ˈma.mɔ zrɔ.ˈbi.wɛm tɔ dla ˈt͡ɕɛ.bʲɛ] || Mom, I did it for you!
!''' '''
!'''Adjectives'''
!'''Nouns'''
|-
|-
| Dziecię, nie bój się! || [ˈd͡ʑɛ.t͡ɕɛ ɲɛ buj ɕɛ] || Child, don't be afraid!
!'''Masculine'''
|<nowiki>-ym (-im)</nowiki>
|'''D''' -'e ; '''M''' -u*
|-
|-
| Przyjaciele, spotkajmy się jutro! || [pʂɨ.ˈja.t͡sɛ.lɛ spɔt.ˈkaj.mɨ ɕɛ ˈju.trɔ] || Friends, let's meet tomorrow!
!'''Feminine'''
|<nowiki>-not</nowiki>
|'''D''' -'e ; '''M''' -y (-i)**
|-
|-
| Dzieci, przestańcie hałasować! || [ˈd͡ʑɛ.t͡ɕi pʂɛ.ˈstaɲ.t͡ɕɛ xa.ˈwa.sɔ.vat͡ɕ] || Children, stop making noise!
!'''Neutral'''
|<nowiki>-ym (-im)</nowiki>
|'''D''' -'e ; '''M''' -u***
|}
|}


== Summary ==
==== Declension of the plural locative ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!''' '''
!'''Adjectives'''
!'''Nouns'''
|-
!'''Masculine'''
|<nowiki>-ych (s)</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-ach</nowiki>
|-
!'''Feminine'''
|<nowiki>-ych (s)</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-ach</nowiki>
|-
!'''Neutral'''
|<nowiki>-ych (s)</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-ach</nowiki>
|}
 
We use what is in parenthesis when the noun (or adjective) ends in <code>k , g or ch</code>.
 
* Words ending in <code>-k , -g , -ch and -/e/c</code> take the ending <code>-u</code>. Some irregular words also take this endings, the most important of which are '''dom''' (house), '''syn''' (son) and '''pan''' (sir).
* Feminine nouns ending with <code>-ia</code> take <code>-i</code>, those ending in <code>-i</code> do not change and those ending in a consonant take <code>-y(-i)</code>.
* Neutral nouns ending in <code>-ę</code> take <code>-u + la</code>. Names in <code>-um</code> do not decline.
 
== Vocative - "wołacz" ==


Cases play a crucial role in Polish grammar, allowing us to express the relationships between words in a sentence. By mastering the different forms and uses of cases, you will be able to construct more accurate and natural-sounding sentences in Polish. In this lesson, we have covered the nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, instrumental, locative, and vocative cases. Each case has its own unique function and set of rules, which will become more familiar to you as you practice and immerse yourself in the Polish language.
We address the person: studencie!


Congratulations on completing this lesson on cases in Polish grammar! You are now one step closer to achieving fluency in the Polish language. Keep practicing and exploring the rich world of Polish culture, and soon you will be able to communicate confidently in Polish.
The vocative (wołacz) is formed like this:


{{#seo:
* Feminine nouns usually take <code>-o</code>, with the exception of those ending in <code>-sia, -cia, -nia, and -dzia</code>, which will end in <code>-u</code>, and those ending in <code>-sia, -cia, -nia, and -dzia</code>. end in <code>-ść</code>, which will take <code>-i</code>.
|title=Polish Grammar → Intermediate Polish Grammar → Cases
|keywords=Polish, grammar, cases, Polish language, intermediate, noun cases, Polish cases
|description=In this lesson, you will learn the use of cases in Polish and their different forms. Cases play a crucial role in Polish grammar, allowing us to express the relationships between words in a sentence.
}}


{{Polish-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
* Masculine nouns follow a more complex logic but the following table will give you the main endings, examples:
** Bóg → Boże ("God"),
** ojciec → ojcze ("father")
** chłopiec → chłopcze ("boy"). 


[[Category:Course]]
* Neutral nouns follow the case of nominative.
[[Category:Polish-Course]]
[[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:Polish-0-to-A1-Course]]
<span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-3.5-turbo-16k></span> <span temperature=0.7></span>


{| class="wikitable"
!'''Nominative'''
!'''Vocative'''
|-
! colspan="2" |'''Feminine'''
|-
|''Pani Ewa'' (Mde. Eve)
|''Pani Ewo! ''(Mde. Eve!)
|-
|''Ewusia'' (diminutive of ''Ewa'' )
|''Ewusiu!''
|-
|''ciemność'' (darkness)
|''ciemności!''
|-
|''książka'' (book)
|''książko!''
|-
! colspan="2" |'''Masculine'''
|-
|''Pan profesor'' (Mr. Professor)
|''Panie profesorze! ''(Mr. Professor!)
|-
|''Krzysztof'' (Christopher)
|''Krzysztofie! ''(Christopher!)
|-
|''Krzyś'' (Chris)
|''Krzysiu! ''(Chris!)
|-
|''wilk'' (Wolf)
|''wilku!''
|}


The nominative is used more and more instead of the vocative when addressing people with their proper names. In these other cases, however, it will also be used:


===To address a person using their function, title, rank or role in the family===
* Panie doktorze (Doctor!), Panie prezesie! (Director!)
* Przybywasz za późno, pływaku (You arrived too late, swimmer)
* synu (son!), mamo (mom!), tato (dad!)
===Sometimes for the demonstrative .... emphasis===
* Nie rozumiesz mnie, moja droga Basiu! (You don't understand me, my dear Basia!)
===To address a person in a condescending manner===
* Zamknij się, pajacu! (Shut up, clown!)
* Co się gapisz, idioto? (What are you looking at, idiot!)
* Nie znasz się, baranie, to nie pisz (Stop writing, idiot, you don't know anything!)
* Spadaj wieśniaku! (Get out of the way, peasant!)
===After "Ty" (personal pronoun - singular second person)===
* Ty kłamczuchu! (You liar!)
===Ready-made expressions===
*(O) Matko!, (O) Boże!, chłopie (Mother!, God!, man)


The vocative is also sometimes used in an emotional context like:
* Kocham Cię, Krzysiu! ("I love you, Chris!")
Or
* Tęsknię za Tobą, moja Żono. ("I miss you, my wife!").
== Summary ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Case
!Usage
!Example (kot - cat)
|-
|Nominative
|Subject of the sentence, basic form of the noun
|kot
|-
|Genitive
|Shows possession, "of" relationship, or used after certain prepositions
|kota
|-
|Dative
|Indirect object, "to/for" relationship, or used after certain prepositions
|kotu
|-
|Accusative
|Direct object, used after certain prepositions
|kota
|-
|Instrumental
|Means/instrument of action, "with/using" relationship, or used after certain prepositions
|kotem
|-
|Locative
|Location, used after certain prepositions
|kocie
|-
|Vocative
|Direct address, calling someone/something
|kocie!
|}
In the table above, we provide a summary of the seven cases in Polish grammar, their usage, and an example using the noun "kot" (cat).
Below, you will find specific more in-depth lessons for each Polish case:
{{Polish-Cases}}
==Videos - Polish Cases==
===7 Polish cases easy explanation===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKj5IfQo34s</youtube>
===Narzędnik czy Mianownik? Instrumental or Nominative?===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMFyQ3E2ms</youtube>
===9 most useful applications of Genitive Case in Polish===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buHkzkgdlIg</youtube>
===Learn Polish Fast : The main function of Instrumental case===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6857mR08ugs</youtube>
== Sources ==
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_grammar
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKj5IfQo34s
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMFyQ3E2ms
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buHkzkgdlIg
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6857mR08ugs


==Other Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
Line 200: Line 687:
* [[Language/Polish/Grammar/Imperative-Mood|Imperative Mood]]
* [[Language/Polish/Grammar/Imperative-Mood|Imperative Mood]]


 
<span maj></span> <span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-3.5-turbo></span>
 
<span links></span>
{{Polish-Page-Bottom}}

Revision as of 09:52, 17 June 2023

Polish → Grammar → Cases
Poland-Timeline-PolyglotClub.png

Hi Polish Learners! 😃 In today's lesson we will learn How to use CASES in Polish. Cases are very important in declension languages: they give meaning to sentences. This is why it is necessary to know how to use them correctly. There are 7 Polish cases:

  1. nominative (mianownik)
  2. genitive (dopełniacz)
  3. dative (celownik)
  4. accusative (biernik)
  5. instrumental (narzędnik)
  6. locative (miejscownik)
  7. vocative (wołacz)

We have listed below each case with its agreement rules and how to use it. Happy learning!

Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Gender, Adjectives, Be Polite & How to Use Have.

Nominative - "Mianownik"

When to use it?

So, let's start with the simplest case of all - the nominative (in Polish - mianownik). This is the basic name, as it appears in a dictionary (you need to have one to learn Polish well, of course). And this is the case which is used when a noun is the subject of a sentence.

For example, let's take one of the most beloved Polish drinks - Żubrówka. If you want to explain to someone what Żubrówka is, you would make a simple sentence like this: "Żubrówka is a type of vodka" which in Polish can be translated as: "Żubrówka jest rodzajem wódki".

The subject of the sentence, Żubrówka does not acquire a "funky" ending (yes I confirm there are funky endings in Polish !!). It stays the same. You see ? Easy as pie! It's the other noun that have changed, but you'll see why as you explore the following cases.

Another example: Student uczy się: the student studies, "Student" is here in the nominative form it therefore takes the basic form of the dictionary and it agrees in gender and numbers.

Genitive - "Dopełniacz"

When to use it?

The genitive is mainly used to express possession.

Polish Samochód mojego brata. Rower studenta.
Translation My brother's car. The student's bike.

But also in the following cases:

  • provenance or destination: idę do domu - I'm going home
  • wracam od studenta: i come back from (at) the student
  • object complement in negative sentence: nie lubię studenta - I don't like the student
  • after certain verbs (szukać: to look for - potrzebować: to need ...): szukam studenta - I am looking for a student

Rules of agreement

Nouns

Singular Plural
Masculine Feminine Neutral Masculine Feminine Neutral
lively inanimate
-a[1] -u [2] M -i

I , D  : -y [3]

-a D -ów

I -y

M -i

-Ø -Ø

Adjectives

Singular Plural
Masculine Feminine Neutral All kinds
-ego -not -ego s
  1. Nouns that are declined with -a are animated nouns, for the nouns of months, dishes, tools, measures, weights and coins, dances, parts of the body, for nouns in -ik / -yk, for city names in -burg.
  2. Nouns that decline with -u are inanimate nouns borrowed from other languages, abstract ideas, collectives (including las, forest), substances, days, cities in -grad, -gród, -gard , states and regions.
  3. Nouns ending in -ia take -i if they are of Polish origin or -ii if they are of foreign origin.

Notes

  • M means "soft"
  • I means "intermediates"
  • D means "hard"
  • -Ø means we remove the last consonant.

Examples

Agreement: nominative (gender): genitive singular, genitive plural

Polish Translation
kot (masc.) : kota, kotów cat
telefon (masc.) : telefonu, telefonów the phone
gwiazda (fem.) : gwiazdy, gwiazd the star
noc (fem. and consonant) : nocy, nocy the night
pilot (masc.) : pilota, pilotów the pilot
meteoryt (masc.) : meteorytu, meteorytów the meteorite
planeta (fem.) : planety, planet the planet
jezioro (neutral) : jeziora, jezior Lake

 

Dative - "Celownik" which comes from celować (to aim).

When to use it?

The dative is used when speaking for or towards (or to) a person. We use the dative without marking the preposition for .

  • dziękuję studentowi: I thank the student (literally I thank the student)
  • obiecałam studentowi, że przyjdę: I promised the student that I would come
  • daję ci to: I'm giving this to you
Polish dzieciom.
Translation For kids.

The use of + dative verse is rare and archaic (we will rather use ku + genitive; this is archaic/old-fashioned).

Polish ku dziecku
Translation Towards (the) child.

Rules of agreement

Declension of the singular dative

  Adjectives Nouns
Masculine -(i) emu -u, -u *
Feminine - (i) ej D -'e ; M -y (-i)**
Neutral -(i) emu -u ***

Dative plural declension

  Adjectives Nouns
Masculine -ym (-im) -if
Feminine -ym (-im) -if
Neutral -ym (-im) -if

We use what is in parentheses when the noun (or adjective) ends in k , g or ch .

  • Some nouns take a -u including ojciec, brat, chłop, chłopiec, pan, Bóg, ksiądz, diabeł, pies, kot, świat, lew. 
  • The Feminine nouns ending with -ia take -i, those ending with -i do not change and those ending in a consonant take -y (-i).

Accusative - "Biernik" which comes from bierny (passive).

direct object Widzę studenta: I see the student after the verbs of movement with prepositions (na, po ...):

  • idę na koncert: I'm going to a concert

The accusative is mainly used to express the direct object

Polish Mam godzinę.
Translation I have an hour

This case is also used after a verb-preposition pair:

Polish Czekam na mojego brata.
Translation I am waiting for my brother.

After przez (by, through), za (in or after a period of time; in exchange for), na (for, in the goal), w (to enter):

Polish Wchodzimy w las.
Translation We enter the forest.
Polish Dziękuję za prezent.
Translation Thank you for the gift.

After nad, pod, przed , za , prepositions shared with the instrumental and used with the accusative when they express a direction:

Polish Jedziemy nad morze.
Translation We are going to the sea.

To express a duration (during):

Polish Pracowałem tam jedną godzinę.
Translation I worked there for an hour.

Rules of agreement

Nouns

Singular Plural
masculine Feminine Neutral masculine Feminine Neutral
animated (human, animal) inanimate (an object or an idea) personal (human) impersonal (animals and objects)
-a - -ę - = Genitive plural = Nominative plural = Nominative plural -a

 Adjectives

Singular Plural
masculine Feminine Neutral personal (human) Others
lively inanimate (an object or an idea)
-ego -y -ą -e -ych -e

Notes

  • M means "soft"
  • I means "intermediates"
  • D means "hard"
  • -Ø means we remove the last consonant.
  • Declinations in -y or -ych change to -i and -ich if the preceding consonant is soft or is either k' , or g , or ch.

Examples

Agreement: nominative (gender): accusative singular, accusative plural

Polish !Translation
kot (masc.) : kota, koty cat
telefon (masc.) : telefon, telefony the phone
gwiazda (fem.) : gwiazdę, gwiazdy the star
noc (fem. + consonant) : noc, noce the night
pilot (masc.) : pilota, pilotów the pilot
meteoryt (masc.) : meteoryt, meteoryty the meteorite
planeta (fem.) : planetę, planety the planet
jezioro (neutral) : jezioro, jeziora Lake

Instrumental - "Narzędnik"

When to use it?

  1. The means or the instrument ": Jadę autobusem: I'm going by bus
  2. Support: rozmawiam z studentem: I speak with a student
  3. Subject attribute: jestem studentem: I am a student

The instrumental is probably the easiest case of all. In Polish its name is more exotic: narzędnik. Narzędnik comes from the word narzędzie which means tool, instrument.

The Polish name of this case serves to recall one of the possible uses. That is to say, when we use something as a tool, we use the instrumental. 

For example :

  • Dziecko je widelcem The child eats with a fork. 
  • Studentka pisze ołówkiem The student writes with a pencil.

The instrumental must always appear after the preposition z in the sense of "with" (because z can also mean "of"), for example:

  • dżin z tonikiem (gin tonic),
  • kobieta z mężczyzną (woman with man),
  • woda z lodem (water with ice cubes).

Another situation where we use the instrumental is after the verb być (to be) conjugated. 

For example:

  • Ja jestem Polką. I am Polish.
  • On jest rybakiem. He is a fisherman.
  • One są babciami. They are grandmothers.

This rule does not apply to first names. We say: Jestem Ilona and not Jestem Iloną. However, an actor could say Jestem Hamletem, since it is not his first name but the role he plays.

We also use the instrumental when we speak of:

  • nationality: On jest Serbem, One są Brazylijkami; = He is Serb, They are Brazilians;
  • professions: My jesteśmy fryzjerkami, Ona jest antropolożką; = We are hairdressers, she is an anthropologist;
  • family: On jest ojcem, Wy jesteście wnuczkami; = He is the father, you are granddaughters;
  • sexual orientation: Jestem lesbijką, Oni są gejami; = I am a lesbian, They are gay;
  • religion: Jesteś buddystą, Jestem ateistą = You are a Buddhist, I am an atheist

etc.

Singular agreement rules

Gender - Rodzaj Adjective Noun Examples
masculine - męski -ym

-k or -g + -im

-em

-k or -g + -iem -ą

sympatycznym nauczyciel-em

sympatycznym Polak-iem wysokim mężczyzn-ą

Feminine - żeński -ą -ą sympatyczn-ą nauczycielk-ą

wysoką kobiet-ą miłą pani-ą

Neutral - Nijaki -k ou -g +-im

-ym

-em

-k or -g + -iem

polskim kin-em

sympatycznym dzieck-iem

Plural agreement rules

Genre - Genus Adjective Noun Endings (Końcówki)
Masculine - męski sympatycznymi nauczycielami

mężczyznami

adjectives in -ymi or -k, -g + imi and nouns take -ami
Feminine - żeński wysokimi kobietami

nauczycielkami

adjectives in -ymi or -k, -g + imi and nouns take -ami
Neutral - Nijaki dobrymi autami adjectives in -ymi or -k, -g + imi and nouns take -ami

Examples

The instrumental is mainly used to express the medium.

Polish Polecę samolotem.
Translation I'll go by plane.

Note that there is no translation for "en". It is the use of the case that gives the meaning to the sentence.

We also use this case with the preposition "with", z in Polish.

Polish Jestem z nimi.
Translation I am with them.

Note: we can omit the preposition z .

This case is also used with nouns called "predicates" (part of the sentence (or clause) that says something about the subject, other than naming it).

Polish Nasz sąsiad jest lekarzem.
Translation Our neighbor is a doctor.

Locative - "Miejscownik"

Locative is mainly used to express the situation of something / someone. Always used with a preposition (o, w, przy ...),

  • jestem w łazience: I'm in the bathroom
  • myślę o studencie - I think of the student
Polish Czy on jeszcze mieszka w Polsce ?
Translation Does he still live in Poland?

Rules of agreement

Declension of the singular locative

  Adjectives Nouns
Masculine -ym (-im) D -'e ; M -u*
Feminine -not D -'e ; M -y (-i)**
Neutral -ym (-im) D -'e ; M -u***

Declension of the plural locative

  Adjectives Nouns
Masculine -ych (s) -ach
Feminine -ych (s) -ach
Neutral -ych (s) -ach

We use what is in parenthesis when the noun (or adjective) ends in k , g or ch.

  • Words ending in -k , -g , -ch and -/e/c take the ending -u. Some irregular words also take this endings, the most important of which are dom (house), syn (son) and pan (sir).
  • Feminine nouns ending with -ia take -i, those ending in -i do not change and those ending in a consonant take -y(-i).
  • Neutral nouns ending in -ę take -u + la. Names in -um do not decline.

Vocative - "wołacz"

We address the person: studencie!

The vocative (wołacz) is formed like this:

  • Feminine nouns usually take -o, with the exception of those ending in -sia, -cia, -nia, and -dzia, which will end in -u, and those ending in -sia, -cia, -nia, and -dzia. end in -ść, which will take -i.
  • Masculine nouns follow a more complex logic but the following table will give you the main endings, examples:
    • Bóg → Boże ("God"),
    • ojciec → ojcze ("father")
    • chłopiec → chłopcze ("boy"). 
  • Neutral nouns follow the case of nominative.
Nominative Vocative
Feminine
Pani Ewa (Mde. Eve) Pani Ewo! (Mde. Eve!)
Ewusia (diminutive of Ewa ) Ewusiu!
ciemność (darkness) ciemności!
książka (book) książko!
Masculine
Pan profesor (Mr. Professor) Panie profesorze! (Mr. Professor!)
Krzysztof (Christopher) Krzysztofie! (Christopher!)
Krzyś (Chris) Krzysiu! (Chris!)
wilk (Wolf) wilku!

The nominative is used more and more instead of the vocative when addressing people with their proper names. In these other cases, however, it will also be used:

To address a person using their function, title, rank or role in the family

  • Panie doktorze (Doctor!), Panie prezesie! (Director!)
  • Przybywasz za późno, pływaku (You arrived too late, swimmer)
  • synu (son!), mamo (mom!), tato (dad!)

Sometimes for the demonstrative .... emphasis

  • Nie rozumiesz mnie, moja droga Basiu! (You don't understand me, my dear Basia!)

To address a person in a condescending manner

  • Zamknij się, pajacu! (Shut up, clown!)
  • Co się gapisz, idioto? (What are you looking at, idiot!)
  • Nie znasz się, baranie, to nie pisz (Stop writing, idiot, you don't know anything!)
  • Spadaj wieśniaku! (Get out of the way, peasant!)

After "Ty" (personal pronoun - singular second person)

  • Ty kłamczuchu! (You liar!)

Ready-made expressions

  • (O) Matko!, (O) Boże!, chłopie (Mother!, God!, man)

The vocative is also sometimes used in an emotional context like:

  • Kocham Cię, Krzysiu! ("I love you, Chris!")

Or

  • Tęsknię za Tobą, moja Żono. ("I miss you, my wife!").

Summary

Case Usage Example (kot - cat)
Nominative Subject of the sentence, basic form of the noun kot
Genitive Shows possession, "of" relationship, or used after certain prepositions kota
Dative Indirect object, "to/for" relationship, or used after certain prepositions kotu
Accusative Direct object, used after certain prepositions kota
Instrumental Means/instrument of action, "with/using" relationship, or used after certain prepositions kotem
Locative Location, used after certain prepositions kocie
Vocative Direct address, calling someone/something kocie!

In the table above, we provide a summary of the seven cases in Polish grammar, their usage, and an example using the noun "kot" (cat).

Below, you will find specific more in-depth lessons for each Polish case:

The 7 Polish Cases

  1. nominative (mianownik)
  2. genitive (dopełniacz)
  3. dative (celownik)
  4. accusative (biernik)
  5. instrumental (narzędnik)
  6. locative (miejscownik)
  7. vocative (wołacz)

Videos - Polish Cases

7 Polish cases easy explanation

Narzędnik czy Mianownik? Instrumental or Nominative?

9 most useful applications of Genitive Case in Polish

Learn Polish Fast : The main function of Instrumental case

Sources

Other Lessons

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