Polish/Noun cases

= Noun cases =

There are seven cases of noun and adjective declension in Polish. So far we have only introduced the nominative (mianownik) and the accusative (biernik), in Polish:Basic sentences 1. The whole list, in traditional order, is:
 * Nominative (mianownik)
 * Genitive (dopełniacz)
 * Dative (celownik)
 * Accusative (biernik)
 * Instrumental (narzędnik)
 * Locative (miejscownik)
 * Vocative (wołacz)

Nominative
No need to memorize endings as nouns and modifiers are in this case. Use the basic, unmarked, dictionary forms.


 * Indicates the subject of a sentence.
 * Gosia pisze książkę. - Gosia is writing a book. (Gosia in nominative because she is the subject of the sentence)


 * Used for most lone adjectives and sentences of the type "To jest X".
 * Piotr jest przystojny. - Piotr is handsome. (przystojny is in the nominative)
 * To jest moja żona. - This is my wife. (moja żona is in the nominative)

Genitive

 * Used to indicate possession. Often corresponds to English 's or of:
 * Adam widzi kota Agnieszki - Adam sees Agnieszka's cat (Agnieszka in genitive)
 * Kot Piotra pije mleko - Piotr's cat drinks milk (Piotr in genitive)


 * Used with units or amounts:
 * puszka piwa - a can of beer (beer in genitive)


 * Used after certain prepositions such as dla, do, od.


 * Used for the direct object in a negative sentence (Only if the positive sentence would use the accusative!):
 * Kot pije mleko - The cat drinks milk. (Milk in the accusative)
 * Kot nie pije mleka - The cat doesn't drink milk. (Milk in genitive)
 * Agnieszka jest dziewczyną - Agnieszka is a girl. (Girl in instrumental)
 * Adam nie jest dziewczyną - Adam is not a girl. (Girl remains in the instrumental)
 * Agnieszka daje kotu mleko - Agnieszka gives milk to the cat (Milk in the accusative, cat in the dative)
 * Agnieszka nie daje kotu mleka - Agnieszka doesn't give milk to the cat (Milk is now in the genitive, cat still in the dative).

Dative

 * Indicates the indirect object. To whom something is given, or action for somebody:
 * Basia daje kotu mleko - Basia gives milk to the cat. (Cat is in the dative.)
 * Znajdę Ci dom. - I'll find you a house (for you).


 * After certain verbs, like dziękować komuś (to thank someone), pomóc komuś (to help someone), wierzyć komuś (to believe someone)


 * expressions of the type:
 * Jest mi zimno - I'm cold
 * Jest nam smutno - We're feeling sad
 * Będzie wam trudniej... - It will be more difficult for you guys...
 * Śniło jej się, że... - She dreamt that...


 * when something is taken away or something befalls someone
 * Zdechł im pies - Their dog died
 * Wzięli mi komputer - They took away my computer
 * Zgasła mojemu sąsiadowi nadzieja - My neighbor's hopes were extinguished.

Accusative

 * Indicates the direct object of the sentence
 * Piotr kocha Kasię. - Piotr loves Kasia.
 * Bożena śpiewa piosenkę. - Bożena is singing a song.


 * Used with some prepositions to indicate a motion/change (Note that the same preposition + locative or, more rarely the instrumental, indicates a state/condition)
 * "na stole" - on the table (a state/condition, so you need to use the locative)
 * "na stół" - onto the table (motion, so accusative)
 * "na poczcie" - at the post office (state/condition so locative)
 * "na pocztę" - to the post office (motion so accusative)
 * "pod stołem" - under the table (a state/condition, pod is one of those prepostions which take the instrumental, not the locative)
 * "pod stół" - towards and under the table (motion so accusative)

Exception: The preposition "w" (in) takes the locative when indicating a state/condition, but to imply change you must use the preposition "do" + genitive.
 * "Jestem w sklepie" (I am in the shop), but "Idę do sklepu" (I am going to the shop) instead of "Idę w sklep".

Instrumental

 * Indicates the tool or means
 * Basia jedzie samochodem - Basia is driving a car. (The car is the tool or means so it needs to be in the instrumental)


 * A few prepositions, like "z" ("with") or "za":
 * Adam jest z Basią - Adam is with Basia (May either mean "in this moment", or more permanently, for example as boy- and girlfriend.)


 * With certain verbs "być" (to be), "zostać" (to become), "interesować się czymś/kimś" (to be interested in something):
 * Basia jest dziewczyną - Basia is a girl.
 * Adam jest chłopakiem - Adam is a boy.
 * Marzena interesuje się modą - Marzena is interested in fashion.
 * Piotr jest przystojnym chłopakiem. - Piotr is a handsome guy.

Exceptions: Most lone adjectives and "To jest X".
 * Piotr jest przystojny. - Piotr is handsome. (przystojny is in the nominative)
 * To jest moja żona. - This is my wife. (moja żona is in the nominative)

Locative

 * Never used alone; only in connection with certain prepositions, like "w" (in) and "o" (about).
 * Chłopak myśli o dziewczynie - The boy is thinking about the girl.
 * Adam jest w banku. - Adam is in the bank.

Vocative

 * Used to address someone directly


 * Often replaced by the nominative in colloquial language, however the vocative remains common in the following situations:
 * To address someone in a rude or offensive manner (A phrase like ty kretynie! ("you cretin!") or ty idioto ("you idiot!") can only be expressed in the vocative, never in the nominative).
 * In formal situations, Panie Kazimierzu, niech pan przyniesie te klucze.
 * In affectionate contexts, such as Kocham Cię Krzysiu! ("I love you, Chris!")

Only masculine and feminine singulars have a separate form.

Before declension tables are provided, let's take a look at adjectives:

< Polish pronunciation < ^ Polish ^