Polish grammar noun case identification exercises 1

Polish noun case identification

Choose the Polish case.

  1. This is a hat.
    nominative
    accusative
    locative

    genitive

  2. Mark!!!
    accusative
    dative
    vocative

    locative

  3. na ___
    on ___
    locative
    accusative
    instrumental
    genitive

  4. pod stołem
    under the table
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive
    nominative

  5. o ___
    about ___
    genitive

    accusative
    instrumental
    locative

  6. z ___
    with ___
    nominative
    accusative
    locative
    instrumental

  7. We are going by tram.
    instrumental
    genitive
    locative
    accusative

  8. Avery’s house
    accusative
    genitive
    instrumental
    locative

  9. I am giving it to Monika.
    dative
    vocative
    instrumental
    accusative

  10. I do not have my key.
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive
    accusative

  11. I have ___
    genitive
    accusative
    instrumental
    locative

  12. I like ___
    locative
    instrumental
    accusative
    genitive

  13. Lubie góry.
    I like mountains.
    nominative
    accusative
    locative
    genitive

  14. Nie mam czasu.
    I have no time.
    genitive
    instrumental
    locative
    accusative

  15. po ___
    after ___
    genitive
    locative
    accusative
    instrumental

  16. Lecę do Francji.
    I am flying to France.
    dative
    genitive
    accusative
    nominative

  17. przy ___
    by ___
    locative
    accusative
    genitive

    nominative

  18. w ___
    in ___
    accusative
    locative
    vocative
    genitive

  19. dom mojego brata
    my brother’s house
    instrumental
    locative

    vocative
    genitive

  20. Gertha jest Niemką
    Gertha is German
    genitive
    nominative
    instrumental
    locative

  21. Jestem studentem
    I am a student
    nominative

    locative
    genitive
    instrumental

  22. Ewa i Maria są Hiszpankami
    Eve and Mary are Spanish
    instrumental
    locative
    dative
    nominative

  23. Dziewczyny plotkują o swoich chłopcach.
    The girls are gossiping about their boyfriends.
    nominative
    instrumental
    genitive
    locative

  24. I see ___
    accusative
    nominative
    locative
    genitive

  25. Marek pocałował Anię.
    Mark kissed Ania.
    locative
    accusative

    instrumental
    genitive

  26. Wczoraj obejrzałem “Przeminęło z wiatrem”.
    Yesterday I saw “Gone with the wind”.
    accusative
    instrumental
    locative
    genitive

  27. Otworzyłem okno.
    I opened the window.
    genitive
    locative
    dative
    accusative

  28. Robię zdjęcie.
    I am taking a photo.
    instrumental
    accusative
    locative
    genitive

  29. To jest moja rodzina.
    This is my family.
    instrumental
    accusative

    genitive
    nominative

  30. Przeniosłem krzesła do pokoju.
    I moved the chair to the room.
    instrumental
    nominative
    accusative
    genitive

  31. Film był o lasach tropikalnych w Amazonii.
    The film was about the rainforest in Amazonia.
    accusative
    dative
    instrumental
    locative

  32. Myję ręce.
    I am washing my hands.
    accusative
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive

  33. Czytam Garfielda.
    I read Garfield.
    genitive
    nominative
    locative
    accusative

  34. Mówię do niej.
    I am talking to her.
    genitive
    instrumental

    nominative
    accusative

  35. Starałem się mu to wyjaśnić.
    I tried to explain it to him.
    dative
    locative
    genitive
    instrumental

  36. Zmieniłem mieszkanie.
    I changed the apartment.
    accusative
    nominative
    dative
    locative

  37. Sklep jest zamknięty.
    The shop is closed.
    genitive
    locative
    nominative
    accusative

  38. Chłopiec stworzył ogromny zamek z piasku.
    The boy created the enormous sand castle.
    instrumental
    accusative

    genitive
    locative

  39. Wracam z Anglii.
    I am returning from England.
    instrumental
    locative
    genitive
    accusative

  40. To nie jest koniec świata.
    It is not the end of the world.
    genitive
    accusative
    instrumental
    locative

  41. On jedzie autobusem.
    He is going by bus.
    dative
    genitive
    accusative
    instrumental

  42. Znalazłem wiele prezentów pod choinką.
    I found a lot of presents under the Christmas tree.
    instrumental & locative
    genitive & instrumental
    accusative & nominative
    locative

  43. Jestem studentką.
    I am a student.
    locative
    accusative
    instrumental
    genitive

  44. Kot siedzi na dachu.
    The cat is sitting on the roof.
    accusative
    nominative

    genitive
    locative

  45. Niedźwiedź był w jaskini.
    The bear was in the cave.
    dative
    genitive
    instrumental
    locative

  46. Kasia wraca jutro.
    Kate is returning tomorrow.
    vocative
    genitive
    locative
    nominative

  47. Babcia upiekła szarlotkę.
    The grandmother baked the apple pie.
    locative
    accusative
    genitive
    nominative

  48. Strażak uratował kota z płonącego budynku.
    The fireman rescued a cat from a burning building.
    locative
    dative & nominative
    genitive
    accusative & genitive

  49. Nie mogę znaleźć mojej przyjaciółki.
    I can not find my friend.
    accusative
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive

  50. Nie ma męża.
    She does not have a husband.
    instrumental
    locative
    genitive
    nominative

  51. bez sensu
    without sense
    nominative
    locative
    genitive
    accusative

  52. Ufam ludziom.
    I trust people.
    dative
    accusative
    locative
    genitive

  53. Zawsze słucham swojej mamy.
    I always listen to my mother.
    genitive
    vocative
    instrumental
    locative

  54. Potrzebuję wody.
    I need water.
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive
    nominative

  55. Aniu!!!
    nominative
    genitive
    locative
    vocative

  56. looking for ___
    locative
    genitive
    instrumental
    nominative

  57. Kowboj pomógł Mohikanom.
    The Cowboy helped the Mohican.
    nominative
    dative
    instrumental
    locative

  58. Kto idzie do wigwamu?
    Who is going to the wigwam?
    locative
    nominative
    instrumental
    genitive

  59. Czym podróżują dzieci?
    By what means are the children traveling?
    genitive
    instrumental
    locative
    nominative

  60. pod namiontem
    under (or inside) the tent
    accusative
    locative
    instrumental

    genitive

  61. Oni chowają się w beczce.
    They are hiding in the barrel.
    nominative

    locative
    instrumental
    genitive

  62. Chowają się przed duchami.
    They are hiding from the ghost.
    genitive
    instrumental
    dative
    locative

  63. w kuchni
    in the kitchen
    locative
    genitive
    vocative
    instrumental

  64. przy ognisku
    next to the fire
    genitive
    instrumental
    locative
    vocative

  65. I saw the dog.
    nominative
    genitive
    locative
    accusative

  66. I love reading books.
    instrumental
    genitive
    accusative
    nominative

  67. On łapie motyle.
    He is catching the butterfly.
    locative
    instrumental
    accusative
    genitive

  68. Która ryba leży na stole?
    Which fish is on the table?
    dative
    nominative
    locative
    genitive

  69. Jest ranek.
    It is morning.
    instrumental
    genitive

    locative
    nominative

  70. Jestem katolikiem.
    I am Catholic.
    instrumental
    genitive
    locative
    nominative

  71. Szukam klucza do drzwi.
    I’m looking for the key to my door.
    locative

    genitive
    instrumental
    nominative

  72. Nie chciałem nadużyć jego gościnności.
    I didn’t want to take the advantage of his hospitality.
    locative
    instrumental
    nominative
    genitive

  73. Zbieramy grzyby.
    We are picking mushrooms.
    accusative
    genitive
    nominative
    instrumental

  74. dużo ___
    many ___
    dative
    vocative
    locative
    genitive

  75. kilka ___
    a few ____
    nominative
    instrumental
    genitive
    locative

  76. koło ___
    near ___
    nominative
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive

  77. nad ___
    above ___
    genitive
    locative

    accusative
    instrumental

  78. od ___
    since ___
    genitive
    nominative
    instrumental
    locative

  79. na ___
    on ___
    accusative

    dative
    locative
    genitive

  80. dokoła ___
    around ___
    accusative
    genitive
    locative
    vocative

  81. po ___
    after ___
    locative
    vocative
    accusative
    genitive

  82. za ___
    behind ___
    instrumental
    genitive
    locative
    accusative

  83. przed ___
    in front of ___
    accusative
    genitive
    locative
    instrumental

  84. Pożyczam mu pieniądze.
    I am lending him money.
    nominative
    dative
    locative
    accusative

  85. obok ___
    beside ___
    accusative
    genitive

    instrumental
    locative

  86. Brat jest miły.
    My brother is nice.
    accusative

    nominative
    locative
    instrumental

  87. On zna mojego brata.
    He knows my brother.
    locative
    instrumental
    genitive
    accusative

  88. Córka brata jest miła.
    My brother’s daughter is pleasant.
    nominative
    accusative
    instrumental
    genitive

  89. Brat jest miły.
    My brother is old.
    accusative
    locative
    nominative
    genitive

  90. Kocham brata.
    I love my brother.
    genitive
    dative
    accusative
    instrumental

  91. Włosy mojego brata są krótkie.
    My brother’s hair is short.
    nominative
    locative

    accusative
    instrumental

  92. Mój kolega czeka.
    My friend is waiting.
    genitive

    locative
    nominative
    accusative

  93. To jest samochód mojego kolegi.
    This is the car of my friend.
    nominative
    instrumental
    genitive
    accusative

  94. Nie kupuję jabłek.
    I do not buy apples.
    locative
    genitive
    dative
    instrumental

  95. Kupuję jabłka.
    I buy apples.
    locative
    accusative
    genitive
    instrumental

  96. Nie znam Warszawy.
    I do not know Warsaw.
    instrumental
    locative

    accusative
    genitive

  97. Oni znają mojego kolegę.
    They know my friend.
    accusative
    genitive
    locative
    instrumental

  98. Czekam na dwoje dzieci!
    I am waiting for two children!
    genitive
    vocative
    instrumental
    accusative

  99. Pokój ma drzwi.
    The room has doors.
    instrumental
    nominative
    accusative
    genitive

  100. Mam parę kubków.
    I have a few cups.
    instrumental
    genitive
    locative

    accusative


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Comments

42 responses to “Polish grammar noun case identification exercises 1”

  1. Siegfried Kern

    Great thanks a lot for this page on Polish grammar.

  2. Daniel

    I’m confused about #42, shouldn’t that be genitive+instrumental?
    “a lot of presents”->genitive
    “under the tree”->instrumental

    Or am I thinking the wrong way here 🙂

    1. admin

      Your correct, I changed this, thanks. Polish grammar is sometimes hard even for me and I created this site. Although I think that was a coding error on my part as clearly “a lot of” is one of the triggers for the genitive case. It is a quantity like ‘dużo’, and the instrumental case I usually associate with the preposition ‘z’ , like ‘z Markiem’, however it can be used with other prepositions like ‘Pod’. Choinka is feminine in gender so it changes to choinką (pronounced ‘hoy-ink-on’).

      1. Jane Kelly

        ‘You’re’ not your your for you are, ha!

        But I am having trouble with Polish. Wlosy mojego brata sa krotkie looks genitive to me with those endings and the possessive meanin so why do you say it is nominative?

  3. Maria

    I’m trying hard to ‘get’ the gist of these cases but it’s so hard! I’ve done the exercises above twice and still get some of the answers wrong. Just when I think I’ve cracked it another example proves me wrong. However, this site is very good, thank you for compiling it, and please expand it as it’s very helpful. I love your approach where you suggest we just accept it as it is rather than try and learn a method – because it doesn’t work!
    Thank you

    1. admin

      Polish cases are very hard for some people, if you do not let your mind bend. This was the hardest thing for me. I tried to understand the theory but, but the reality is, its comes after you memorizes the ideas.

      You have to do it like ten times or more, unless you get 100%. Americans want everything fast and easy. But this is the Polish language. It is very different than English. But if you learn it your thinking, and consciousness will stretch and change.

      Your need to understand that certain words trigger a case. Like the preposition ‘z’ will trigger the instrumental case. That is ‘what instrument are you using to accomplish something?’ But believe me the theory of cases does not explain anything, or very little. It is more memorization. You can learn Polish cases and Polish grammar. You have to memorizes the ideas.

      However, I do have some theory and explanations on the site.

      Further, if anyone wants to build the explanations and pages further I would be happy to work with you. Thank you very much for your kind words. I guess the main thing is to not worry if you are not perfect at first with Polish grammar. It takes a lot patience. But your brain will grow unlike learning any other language.

      1. Jane Kelly

        Do you know of any good language course I could take in Poland this summer?

        1. Mark Biernat

          The best is at University of Jagiellonian, however, if not that just living in Poland and taking classes at a school or a private tutor will work.

  4. Boydie san

    This is a really useful little gem of a site 🙂 im teaching myself this interesting language, its my hobby really. I have all sorts of different sources, including trips to poland to see how the language really works. Oh yes, and to eat the golabki 😉 the little drills on this site are fun and help keep your knowledge up in this important area. A wiec, dzieki, i….dobranoc!

    1. admin

      Thank you. I would like to build Polish grammar beyond just Polish grammar, but for now, thanks for the comment.

  5. Paul

    Hi I have just discovered this site and it seems great. I am a US citizen with a Polish wife and son (he has dual citizenship). I have been trying to learn Polish for 4 years now (but without living in Poland) and find it to be quite difficult, especially grammar (cases). I find your site to be very helpful and appreciate how you encourage new students to be patient.

    1. admin

      Hi Paul, I learned Polish and so can you. I am not good with languages but the key is, it is a marathon and not a sprint. Find what works for you. I like drills. I teach and learn languages. I learn by a combination of drills and speaking with a native speaker. I also use flashcards even for grammar. Poland is a great country anytime you can visit come on over.

  6. Paul

    Polish grammar noun case identification exercises 1

    There is an error here. The sentence should read “Brat jest stary.”

    Question #89
    Brat jest miły.
    My brother is old.

    I find these exercises very useful!

  7. Tony Mason

    Please forward the flash cards
    Kind regards

  8. Jedd

    This is an excellent web site! I found your explanation for the “instrumental” case to be very helpful. Nonetheless, why are 22, 43, and 70 considered to be instrumental?

    Keep up your great work!

  9. Jon Owen

    I study Polish and I understand the theory as it is taught, however, putting a sentence together requires too many variables and too much abstract thought to be able to execute it correctly.

    This is a great website, as it allows me to practise without thinking about formulae.

    1. Mark Biernat

      You are right, to make a simple Polish sentence requires considering an exponentially large number of variable. However, if you drill the actual sentences rather than work only from the theory, I have found in my personal experience it is easier.

  10. paul

    Hi, I’m a native Filipino who is fluent in English. Do you know any other free sites where you can do a lot of drills. I’ve almost completely mastered the declination (singular, plural, adjectives, nouns, etc.), imperfective and perfective forms, forming conditional sentences (with gdyby,etc.). It takes me about 5-10 seconds to form a long sentence, including those utilising conditional clauses, and different declinations. However, I wanna get to the point where i can do all the declinations, imperfective/perfective, etc. with fluency. My major weakness that takes much of my sentence building time is making substitutions and debates whether to use imperfective/perfective, or the word order. I’ve been learning for a month, and I found that I was….well….skilled?…when it comes to languages, so it made me encourage to try learn this language. Also my vocabulary is kinda erratically limited (I know wszystkowiedzacy, przesadzic/presadzac/pochlebiac, etc. but dunno the polish for kick, change, punch, dishes). How can I overcome this to be fluent ‘jak najszybciej’? Do I have to start thinking in polish, or do I just continue to translate from English to Polish mentally till thinking in Polish comes by itself? I have 2 dictionaries with me, but I dunno where to start…….thanks. And how long do you reckon is it gonna take me to be fluent enough to engage a conversation with a Pole (without him having to strain?)

    1. Mark Biernat

      I think my site has the most drills, most other sites are just tables and explanations.
      When I speak Polish it is easy not. I do not even think that I am speaking Polish I just speak. This comes with time. However, if I speak all day in Polish it is good to go back to English in the evening. But after a while it will feel just like English.

  11. Richard Jeffery

    Thank goodness I have found this site. I have been living in Poland since last august and been going to Polish language school since september, but the grammar is holding back my progress and destroying my confidence. I am convinced that the Poles do not teach their infant schoolchildren by bombarding them with rules of grammar, but rather by the method that you have devised here.

    1. Mark Biernat

      Thanks for your input on Polish grammar. I am an English speaker who learned Polish, not just a native Polish speaker with a degree in literature.

  12. Chris

    I have just stumbled upon this website. It is my preferred website for learning Polish from the websites I have visited. I expect to be spending a great deal of time on here in the next few days and weeks. I’m Australian, staying in Koszalin and my girlfriend is Polish. Keep up the great work with this site and all the best to everyone learning about this great language and culture.

    1. Mark Biernat

      Chris, Thank you for the nice words about Polish grammar.

  13. Andrei Kordovic

    16. Lecę do Francji.
    I am flying to France.

    Why is this genitive?

    1. Mark Biernat

      ‘do’ or ‘to’ triggers the genitive case. It is the most complex case in the senses it has the most functions. It is not just used as a possessive case like in English but has five functions in Polish.

  14. Roy

    I’m english and I’m trying to learn Polish ,I am having lessons at the moment but im really struggling ,I’m not very well-educated but I can read and write english.
    I know this might sound funny ,please don’t laugh but in don’t even know what the cases mean please can you tell me?

    1. Mark Biernat

      Education has nothing to do with it. It is hard to undersand for an English speaker.
      Consider and meditate on these two sentences.
      ‘She’ is the one I see.
      I see ‘her’
      ‘She’ becomes ‘her’ because the case change. You so not say ‘I see she’
      This is an example of an English case. Polish has this type of change for every noun not just personal pronouns. It makes the language clearer for a Polish speaker.
      They are like English articles (‘the’ ‘an’, ‘a’) or prepositions, simply grammar that makes the sentence more clear.
      Try to read a little more on them on my site that explains the theory using George Washington as an example.

      1. sean burke

        Thank you for creating this site it’s really helping me.im english and my wife is polish I have been learning Polish for a couple of years. I am not really well-educated im struggling with the grammar im aware I must make a really lot of mistakes when I talk. but I will keep going if they can understand even if you make the grammar mistakes makes my wonder why they have the seven cases of nouns. Well done mark you have conquered a really difficult language you have inspired me too keep going. pozdrawiam Sean

        1. Mark Biernat

          Thank you, Polish is an interesting language, once you can break through to a certain level, your whole world changes.

  15. Magda Nadolny

    I thought it would be easier for me because I speak German and Spanish and I do understand how it works in these languages. But it kills me and at the same time it is great fun. Thank you very much for providing your help.

  16. Mail

    I absolutely love this website. Thank you so much for spending the time to form this website.

    I also have a question about the differences between question #34 and #35.

    34. Mówię do niej.
    I am talking to her.

    35. Starałem się mu to wyjaśnić.
    I tried to explain it to him.

    Both end with “to (someone)”, so why would #34 be the genitive case while 35 is the dative case?

  17. Polish teacher

    You should underline which word you’re asking about.
    In some sentences you’re asking about the case of pronouns (Q59 & Q84), which is unexpected and confusing.
    In ‘dom brata’ (Q19) you’re looking for Genitive but in ‘córka brata’ (Q88) you want Nominative! Again, very confusing!
    Not to mention the fact that there are sometimes three nouns in the sentence so it’s really a guessing game.
    There are also mistakes:
    – after ‘na’ we can have other cases than Locative (Q3), for example Accusative: ‘patrzę na dom’
    – the same with ‘w’ (Q18): ‘jak kamień w wodę’ (Accusative)
    – in Q42 you have Vocative of ‘Poland’ instead of ‘correct’ in feedback. It’s strange and confusing.

  18. Luke

    Thank you for making this wonderful site, it is really helping my Polish.

    I started learning about a two years ago and ‘some’ grammar is starting to stick in my mind, finally.

    As said, this is a marathon and not a sprint.

  19. Alice

    Hi there, thank you for writing this post it’s really helped me understand the cases! However I don’t understand why number 62 is instrumental?
    Chowają się przed duchami.
    They are hiding from the ghost.
    Because they are not hiding under something from the ghost, or someone is hiding with his friend. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    1. This is an example of the fact that you should not always translate every word literally.
      The phrase has many meanings and can be combined with several prepositions.
      You need to translate the entire phrase “chować się przed” – which means “to hide from” in English. This phrase comes with Narzędnik case any time. Good luck!

      Ania

  20. Suionus australis

    This excercise would benefit from some sort of visual clue as to what part of the sentence is under consideration. Perhaps boldfacing or colour coding the noun, adjective or phrase of which the case is being asked. Otherwise some of the examples are ambiguous and one might unnecessarily start asking oneself if one has really understood.

    I would also like to thank you for this site. It’s exactly what is missing and clearly a labour of love.

    1. Mark Biernat

      I eventually need to rewrite a lot of this, however, I am working on a professional Polish language program as a priority.

  21. P Anderson

    Is their an answer sheet that goes with the noun case identification quiz? The answers do not show up in the square below the questions. Thank you.

    1. Mark Biernat

      I need to fix the whole functionality of the lessons as I have not updated and revised them in a while as life has interdicted.

  22. Todd A Cheyka

    When I select an answer there is no feedback. So my question is, how do I know if I selected the correct answer?

    1. Mark Biernat

      Try the exercises now I think it was related to my AMP plugin; if anyone is still having issues let me know.

  23. pritam siddarth thota

    i dont get it when do you use, what cases please can you help me.

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