Polish noun case identification
Choose the Polish case.
Choose the Polish case.
Choose the Polish noun case ending.
Choose the Polish noun.
Choose the Polish adjective.
The objective of this lesson is to understand, what is a noun case, which noun case to use in a sentence, to prepare you for how to read the Polish grammar case tables.
Singular or plural. Example: house or houses.
Nouns have one of three genders in Polish. They are masculine, feminine or neuter
Masculine nouns usually end with a consonant, but there are some exceptions, usually relating to occupations:
Mezczyzna – man, Kierowca – driver, Dentysta – dentist.
Feminine nouns usually end in the letter a. Here are some common exceptions: Pani – Mrs, lady, Noc – night, Sól – salt.
Neuter nouns usually end in o or e. Lózko – bed, Wejscie – entrance, Imie – first name. Polish words relating to occupations normally have both masculine and feminine forms. Student, Studentka – Nauczyciel, Nauczycielka.
The purpose of this section is to understand what a case is and when to use which of the seven Polish cases. A case is the context the noun is used in the sentence. The context of the noun in the sentence will determine which case category it is classified to. To understand these Polish case classifications is the most difficult part of Polish grammar, so do your best.
Polish, like Latin or Russian, has cases. Cases have many functions, but they mostly allow the speaker to convey ideas with fewer words, as the endings on the words tell the listener what the sentence is about. Some people argue Polish cases really replace or reiterate English prepositions. But there is more to it, as you will see. Which case to use is really based on the context of the sentence.
What are the most important cases? The most common Polish cases are nominative (dictionary form) and accusative, which account for almost 65% of the Polish cases. The nominative, accusative, genitive, and locative account for over 90% of the Polish cases!
Does English have cases? Yes. English used to be rich with cases before the Norman invasion in 1066 A.D, now it has only remnants.
Let’s look at two examples of English pronoun cases, I and she. “I own this house”, “This is MY house”, “This house is MINE”, “This house belongs to ME”. This is the same word but in different ways. The form changes with the case it is used in. More: “SHE is the one I love”, “I am in love with HER”.
Although not a true case another English example is the use of ‘s to show possession. “This is Mark’s house.” The Polish case is similar: Ten jest dom Marka. The noun ending of ‘Mark’ changes in both languages.
Subject of the sentence. Answers the questions: What is it? Who is it? It is a Park. What is it? A park. It is Mark. Who is it? Mark. The park is green. What is green? The park. The man is walking. Who is walking? the man.
Usually used with the verb “to be”.
The genitive case has five uses:
Generally related to the English preposition “to”, that is doing something “to”.
Answers the question: to what? To who? I am giving the book to Marta I am lending Marta the book. Used with verbs like Dawać-give to Pomagać-help to Pozyczać-lend to.
The direct object of most verbs; the object of some prepositions.
Answers the questions: What is the action is about? Whom the action is about? I see the tree. I see what? The tree. I see Mark. I see who? Mark. We would like to visit Krakow. What would you like to visit? Krakow. I have a new dress. What do you have? A new dress.
Most common verbs used: I see, I have, I like.
Other examples: I am going to buy a plane ticket. I am going to buy what? A plane ticket. I am going to sell my car. I am going to sell what? My car.
The accusative also follows preposition that indicate going towards or motion. Przez-through Na-on, to, towards, for I am going to the market. I am waiting for my love. I will be on vacation. I am walking through the building.
Generally related to the English preposition ‘with’ or ‘by’ when referring to transportation.
Answers the questions-whom am I doing something with? With what am I doing something with? I am talking on the phone with Joseph. I am traveling by train. This is also a case of location, most commonly used with “Z” or with.” also Przed-in front of Nad-above Pod-under, bellow Za- behind.
Case of location.
Answers the questions: who I am talking about? What is it on?
Used with some prepositions, often showing location. On, about, this is the case of location.” Na-on W-in Przy-by, at Po-after o-about On the plane, On the street, In the building ,We are talking about the movie star.
Answers the questions who or what are you calling – rarely used do not learn it.
To call someone from a distance.
The purpose of this lesson is to show examples of how the endings change in noun cases.
Examples of Polish grammar.
Nominative-
Dom->Dom
House
Samochód -> Samochód
Car
Łąka -> Łąka
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptak
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewo
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżka
Spoon
Droga->Droga
Road
Światło->Światło
Light
Twarz->Twarz
Face
Księżyc->Księżyc
Moon
Genitive-
Dom->Domu
House
Samochód -> Samochodu
Car
Łąka -> Łąki
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptaka
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewa
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżki
Spoon
Droga->Drogi
Road
Światło->Światła
Light
Twarz->Twarzy
Face
Księżyc->Księżyca
Moon
Dative-
Dom->Domowi
House
Samochód -> Samochódowi
Car
Łąka -> Łące
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptakowi
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewu
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżce
Spoon
Droga->Drodze
Road
Światło->Światłu
Light
Twarz->Twarzy
Face
Księżyc->Księżycowi
Moon
Accusative-
Dom->Dom
House
Samochód -> Samochód
Car
Łąka -> Łąkę
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptaka
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewo
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżkę
Spoon
Droga->Drogę
Road
Światło->Światło
Light
Twarz->Twarz
Face
Księżyc->Księżyc
Moon
Instrumental-
Dom->Domem
House
Samochód -> Samochódem
Car
Łąka -> Łąką
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptakiem
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewem
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżką
Spoon
Droga->Drogą
Road
Światło->Światłem
Light
Twarz->Twarzą
Face
Księżyc->Księżycem
Moon
Locative
Dom->Domu
House
Samochód -> Samochódzie
Car
Łąka -> Łące
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptaku
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewie
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżce
Spoon
Droga->Drodze
Road
Światło->Światle
Light
Twarz->Twarzy
Face
Księżyc->Księżycu
Moon
Vocative
Dom->Domie
House
Samochód -> Samochodzie
Car
Łąka -> Łąko
Meadow
Ptak -> Ptaku
Bird
Drzewo -> Drzewo
Tree
Łyżka -> Łyżko
Spoon
Droga->Drogo
Road
Światło->Światło
Light
Twarz->Twarzy
Face
Księżyc->Księżycu
Moon
Polish cases are hard the way you need to learn Polish noun cases is drilling, like I present in the exercises section.