I am currently using Duolingo as a supplement to understanding and speaking the Polish language. I have, however, stumbled upon an issue in discerning the verbs (iść) and another which I do not know the root of. Duolingo considers these two verbs synonymous, yet fails my answers to questions in which they are prompted. The pictures attached will hopefully explain what I mean. Why are both verbs used as "to go"
and "to walk," yet sometimes are not deemed correct in these questions? Is it context? Conjugation?
I would really like some help in resolving this matter. It's making it very confusing.
The problem is with duo and not you. I've used duolingo but they are very erratic in terms of translations and very slow to correct mistakes (if they ever get corrected).
duolingo is best at helping you brush up on a rusty language or as a supplement to other learning materials, the interface doesn't lend itself to being a primary source
both walk and go should be accepted as translations (and both present continuous and simple present should be accepted)
I really appreciate your answer. As a follow-up- are these two verbs interchangeable in standard conversation? Are there situations when one is more appropriate than the other? Perhaps (iść) is more generally "to go" and the other is more used for specifically "to walk" (y'know, to actually "walk" somewhere)?
iść means specifically to walk - if you are using some means of transport you use the verb jechać - you don't say . Idę samochodem but Jadę samochodem.
Pić is pronounced by English speakers as picz - pić means to drink picz means pussy - Chcę pić means I am thirsty (literally I want to drink) Chcę picz means I want pussy
In English, we are far less directionally specific than in Polish!
If I say, "I'm going to Poland.", it's obvious that it's not on foot. Therefore, I needn't specify that I'm "flying" or even sailing by ship, to Poland:-)
In Polish, "Ide do Polski." might well cause the Poles much amusement. Probably, "Odlatuje do Polski" would do the trick nicely, i.e. (literally) " I fly [this one time] off to Poland".
In addition, if one wishes to indicate "going" ON FOOT vs. some other way, such as taking the bus, one may, of course simply use "isc"/"pojsc" pieszo or piechota!
Predzej poszedlbym pieszo niz przyjechal z autobusem. = I'd sooner [rather] go on foot than take the bus.
In English, we are far less directionally specific than in Polish!
Thank you for that explanation Lyzko. My American butchering of the English language has repeatedly been corrected by Polish members here. At first I didn't understand how they cross all the "t's" and dot all the "I's". Now with your further explanation I get how I was confusing them. "Directional specific" is the correct answer for verbs.
The three big factors with Polish verbs of motion (which aren't that important in English) are
1. by foot or by vehicle (sometimes type of vehicle) iść vs jechać 2. is there a destination? (fex jechać (towards a place by vehicle) jeździć (go by vehicle but not necessarily toward a destination) 3. is/was/will be the destination reached? (jechał vs pojechał_
You're welcome, sir! One never stops learning about their native language included.
@kaprys,
Careless of me. Naturally, "PO"- and not "PRZY-"jechal" in that context. I ought to have remembered when I was in Poland, the announcements saying "Pociag ODjechal!", in Polish, English, and German:-)
He WENT by car to the restaurant. = On przyjechal do restauracji (..no need to mention "..ze samochodem.."!!). She took a cab. = Ona pojechala z taksowka, The bus/train already left. = Autobus/Pociag juz odjechal.
My memory occasionally needs to be jogged, thanks!
It sounds like you're using Duolingo to learn Polish, but you're confused about two words, "iść" and another one. Sometimes, Duolingo marks your answers wrong even though it says they mean the same thing. You're wondering when to use them and how to change them.
Learning similar words in a language can be tricky, especially when they seem the same but have small differences. In Polish, "iść" means "to go," while the other one might mean "to walk." They might be used in different situations.
For example, "iść" might be used for going somewhere, while the other one could be for walking on foot. Duolingo might be testing you on when to use each one or how to change them to fit the sentence.
To understand better, you can see how each word is used and read any explanations Duolingo gives. Also, practicing with people who speak Polish or using other learning materials can help.
Learning a language can be hard sometimes, but if you keep trying, you'll get better!
