Language / What has been the hardest language for you to learn? [81]

Polish! Was formally 'Chrzaszcz' here.

I have studied a few languages - Japanese, Chinese, Russian, French and German. Not at any depth, just enough to get by as a tourist...

Language / Is it possible to learn Polish while not living in Poland? If yes, how? [37]

Formally 'chrzaszcz' here. I am learning Polish, and did GCSE Polish this year (Grade D - nothing to be proud of!). Anyway, I didn't have a teacher per se but received a lot of help on this Polish Forum (thanks everyone). Luckily, I also had several Polish colleagues who gave me a lot of help). I am still slowly learning my vocabulary and the nuances of the seven cases. I have the worst memory ever, and just need to read and read and re-read lists of vocabulary so it goes in. In my case, I am going to resit next June, and attempting to obtain a Grade B. It's a personal challenge for me, ad don't want to give up!!!!

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

Merged: Accusative or Instrumental Case

Can I ask anyone to check these answers to these:

I have to put the correct forms in the blanks... (my answers are in bold)

1. Kiedy czekam na autobus, czesto spotykam z nim. (Marek).
2. Lubie spotykac sie ze znajomymi i rozmawiac z mini o polityce. (znajomy - liczba mnoga).
3. Marek czesto chodzi do klubu i zawsze spotyka tam przyjacielami. (przyjaciel - liczba mnoga).
4. Teraz mam czas i szesto spotykam sie z przyjaciolami (przyjaciel - liczba mnoga).

In my book it has the folowing text in a box...

UWAGA!

nie planuje spotkania
spotykac + biernik
znajomych
kolegow
przyjaciol

planuje
spotkanie
spotykac sie + narzednik
ze znajomymi
z kolegami
z przyjaciolmi

What is this trying to tell me. Does it mean that if I plan to meet (in this example), I use verb + instrumental case. If I don't plan to meet I use verb + accusative? I'm puzzled. Can anyone give any examples...

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

thank you stryga!

I'll have few more questions I'm sure!

Language / Usage of Polish Instrumental Case? [22]

So... If I want to say

'I am lazy' = Jestem leniwiem
'They are lazy' = Oni są leniwy.

However, looking at my narzednik table, for plural adjectives (as in lazy leniwy), it reads that the end of plural adjectives should be -ymi, eg, sympatycznimi, wysokimi, dobrymi.

Why isn't the above 'Oni sa leniwymi'?.

This may seem a rather basic question, but are the two examples correct... Any help?

brzmibrzmi

ps.....I'm not lazy! It's just an example ... honest. ;-)

Language / Usage of Polish Instrumental Case? [22]

Thanks boletus....

So 'I am lazy' = 'Jestem leniem', not 'Jestem leniwy'?

'They are lazy' = 'Oni sa leniwymi'??

Thanks - I will get the hang of this!

Language / Usage of Polish Instrumental Case? [22]

ahem... yes boletus. I have read and re-read you message.

I have Polish friend, and I asked him the same questions. He said that 'They are lazy' = 'Oni sa leniwy'. I'm still confused... Sorry boletus.

Could you give specific examples (sentences) with your examples as above? I feel a little stupid asking again...

Language / Usage of Polish Instrumental Case? [22]

Thanks Lyzko

I understand your examples. Well explained, but going back to my question on how to say 'I am lazy' / 'They are lazy'. The word lazy in both sentences are adjectives, and am extremely confused if I should say Jestem leniem, or, Jestem leniwy. What's the difference? I do understand Jestem leniwym robotnikiem. (thanks Boletus).

I am sad - Jestem smutny. ?Correct
I am a sad worker - Jestem smutnym robotnikiem.

Language / Usage of Polish Instrumental Case? [22]

Boletus, oh boletus! Wow wow wow!

That was a fantastic reply. I think my problem is thinking too deep. 'I am English' - 'Jestem Anglikiem'. Jestes Polakiem...

You're a star! brzmibrzmi :-)

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

....so... what is the different between

Planuję spotkanie z Markiem - nie planuję spotkania z Markiem.

and

Planuję spotkać się z Markiem - nie planuję spotkać się z Markiem.


I get that spotkac sie is a verb, but what is 'spotkanie/spotkanie' in the first example?

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

... ok i have another question relating to the Nominative/ Instrumental cases.

I understand that words I look up in a dictionary are in the nominative case. that's fine. And they usually answer the questions of 'Kto' 'Co'.

For the Instrumental, I believe it's 'Kim' 'Czym'.

So, when I say 'I am English' I say 'Jestem Anglikiem', and 'You are Polish' 'Jestes Polakiem/Polką'. I undestand that good, BUT if say 'Peter is handsome' it is 'Piotr jest przystojny' is przystojny in the nominative case, or instrumental. and 'Adam is a boy' it becomes 'Adam jest chłopakiem'.

I undestand that the Instrumental case is used in relation to the verb 'to be'. so, if i had statements such as ..

He is ....for example nice...?on jest mily
She is ...ona jest mila
They are ..."
We are ..."
It is ..."
I am ..." the adjectives that follow are ALWAYS in the instrumental case?

I did't think I had so much trouble with this, but any comments would be appreciated!!!

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

Oh thank you so much stzyga!!!!

That was a fantastic reply. It is so clear now. Please forgive me for asking so many elementary questions. I like to understand and always like to perservere!

Thanks again strzyga.... more questions will follow

(and thanks to everyone else who's posted their helpful comments) :-)

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

I won't forget!!! There's only another five or six cases to get my head round. I'm well under way (re)learning my vocabulary for the re-sit....

Something totally unrelated,,,, but what does 'Może być' mean. I often hear it being said by Polish. If it's nonsense please ignore...

ask until you're sure you understand

so.... if I want to say 'I am lazy' (which i'm not :-). It would be Jestem leniwy (nominative as it's an adjective).

They are lazy would be 'Oni są leniwy'.

They are lazy people 'Oni sa leniwym ludzym' (adjective + noun)?

I will get this!

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]


Hi strzyga. Just a real quick question. in the above 'leniwymi ludzmi', why does ludzmi not end in '-ami', as in 'ludzami'? I'm using Hurra!!! Po Polsku 1 and in an Narzednkik: Liczba Mnoga table it has

koncowki

adjective/przymiotnik
-ymi
-k, -g + -imi

noun/rzeczownik
-ami

How come the noun ending (people) is not 'ludzami'. Am I missing something here. Soz for the trivial question.

Language / Biernik czy narzędnik (Accusative or Instrumental) [65]

Thanks strzyga. That's a concise answer. Just as long as I wasn't missing anything here.

Dzienki :-)