Language /
Polish case question (Mężczyzna jest zimno? or Dziewczyna jest zimno?) [71]
So, just to sum it all up:
the Dative construction pertains to the feelings/sensation of the subject.
Dziewczynce (Dat.) jest zimno - she feels cold.
In a very convoluted attempt to translate it literally, that would be: To whom it feels cold? To the girl - dziewczynce - hence Dative
The Nominative construction pertains to the feelings/sensations of others, the point of reference is on the outside.
Mężczyzna jest ciepły - feels warm to the touch.
Dziewczyna jest zimna.
(Note that the ending of the Adj. must be in agreement with the gender of the noun)."On jest Mężczyźna" - On jest mężczyzną
"Ten mężczyźna jest nauczyciel" - Ten mężczyzna jest nauczycielem
"Ten mężczyżna jest dobrym nauczycielem" - mężczyzna quote]
[quote=Nightglade]And does that only apply to animate nouns, or do you have to use instrumental for inanimate objects too?
Usually animate nouns, as the subject must be able to feel anything :) unless you want to use personification and say, for example, "my wallet is sad... so empty" :)
