Kupić - Kupować

What is the difference? Both mean "to buy", right? Is there a certain rule to know when to use each?

There are lots of rules about when to use each.

Welcome to the wonderful world of aspect.

The best, 30 second explanation is to think of each verb as looking at the process of buying something from a different viewpoint.

kupić is looking at the act of buying something from the end, after money and good or service have changed hands.

kupować looks at the act of buying something while it's going on.

Kupię (I'll buy it) concentrates on the fact that the transaction will be completed.

Będę kupował (I'll buy it / I'll be buying it) concentrates on the process and not the end state of having bought something. This is why it also refers to periodic or repeated purchases.

kupiłem. (I bought it - it's mine now)

kupowałem (I was buying it (no mention as to whether the transaction was finished) or I used to buy it a repeated action.

....and don't forget also "ZAkupić/-ować" = to go shopping, probably as with the root verb "kupić" originally derived from Germanic "kaufen":))))

Marku you should write Polish grammar handbooks for foreigners :)

:))))) thanx, gumishu. Though I really think it ought to be the other way round (he-he!!)

while shopping is zakupy - zakupować does not mean to go shopping

to go shopping is iść na zakupy in Polish

zakupić/zakupować is somewhat formal way of stating the same as with kupić/kupować

Can't you also say 'robić zakupy'?

robić zakupy is the same as to do shopping (roughly at least)

but 'to do shopping' makes no sense in English, so it's probably just to shop?

I was pretty sure that 'to do shopping' was a commonly spoken in English

I am surprised to hear it does not make sense

It's either 'to go shopping' or 'to shop', you could also say 'I'm doing some shopping' but you can't say 'I'm doing shopping'

so I can't say 'I'm doing shopping for tommorow anniversary'? for example

No you would have to say "I'm doing some shopping for my anniversary tomorrow"

ok thank you Davey

Americans "take" and exam, a decision etc.. the Brits "do" an exam (..but "take" decisions, much as the French LOL)

In German, "einkaufen" or "einkaufen gehen" both mean "to go shopping" (compared with just "kaufen"/"sich kaufen"= to buy something), whereas "Einkaeufe machen" means literally "to DO shopping".

Apprarently in Polish, it's different:))))

I've both taken exams and done exams. Decisions I make and I have taken.


or "I'm doing the shopping for my anniversary tomorrow"

With Polish, I still just say the first thing that comes to mind, hope it works, then quickly forget about it as my mind or the conversation moves on to the next thing.

I misstyped. Americans "make" NOT "take" decisions (usually) LOL