RZECZOWNIKI – NOUNS
I have to admit that Nouns are one of the most complex parts of the Polish Language. But do not worry, Nie taki diabeł straszny, jak go malują! – it’s not so scary as it seems! I trust that the description given below will help you to understand how to create the right form of nouns.
First thing you need to know about nouns is that they change their forms depending on gender – rodzaj żeński (feminine), rodzaj męski (masculine) or rodzaj nijaki (neutral) and on quantity – liczba pojedyncza (Singular) and liczba mnoga (Plural). They also can look different because of the context you are using them in. Yes, I am talking now about the famous polish przypadki (Cases). Do not be frightened though, I will concentrate on Cases later on, in a separate post. And finally, by adding a prefix or suffix (additional part in front or in the end of the word) you can express your feelings towards someone/something or describe its size – I am talking now about zdrobnienia i zgrubienia (diminutives and augmentatives), also described in separate post.
Ok, let’s get it started!
As I mentioned, the nouns have different form depending on their gender. Unfortunately you need to remember by heart what gender the particular noun has. It is easier though when you can see or hear it as the ending of the noun helps you to distinguish one from another.
RODZAJ MĘSKI – MASCULINE
Most of nouns in their masculine form – rodzaj męski, end up with a consonant, for example:
stół – table
płaszcz – coat
talerz – plate
nóż – knife
dom – house
telefon – phone
komputer – computer
wyjątki – exceptions:
tata – dad
RODZAJ ŻEŃSKI – FEMININE
Most of rodzaj żeński – feminine end up with a vowel, as the following:
mama – mum
babcia – grandmother
siostra – sister
kurtka – jacket
bluzka – blouse
szkoła – school
stołówka – canteen
ręka – hand
noga – leg
wyjątki – exceptions:
twarz – face
brew – eyebrow
RODZAJ NIJAKI
There are not many neutral forms of nouns in Polish. You can also distinguish them easily as they always end up with an ‘o’:
dziecko – child
biurko – desk
krzesło – chair
łóżko – bed
