A1 Polish GrammarBasic Prepositions
Learn essential Polish prepositions for location and time: w, na, do, z, od, u, przy, nad, pod. Understand which case each preposition requires - this is crucial for correct Polish.
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1W and Na (In/At/On)
W (in) and na (on/at) are the most common location prepositions. W is used for enclosed spaces, na for surfaces and open areas. Both take locative case for location, accusative for direction.
W vs Na - Location (Locative)
| W (in) | Example | Na (on/at) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| w domu | at home | na stole | on the table |
| w szkole | at school | na ulicy | in the street |
| w Polsce | in Poland | na Ukrainie | in Ukraine |
| w kinie | at the cinema | na koncercie | at a concert |
Examples
Mieszkam w Warszawie.
I live in Warsaw.
w + locative (city)
Książka jest na stole.
The book is on the table.
na + locative (surface)
Idę do szkoły.
I'm going to school.
do + genitive (direction)
Jadę na wakacje.
I'm going on vacation.
na + accusative (direction)
2Do, Z, Od (To, From)
Do (to) indicates direction towards and takes genitive. Z (from/with) and od (from a person/since) also take genitive. These are essential for expressing movement and origin.
Direction Prepositions + Genitive
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| do | to, towards | do domu (home) |
| z | from (place) | z Polski (from Poland) |
| od | from (person) | od mamy (from mom) |
| od | since (time) | od rana (since morning) |
Examples
Idę do sklepu.
I'm going to the shop.
do + genitive
Jestem z Krakowa.
I'm from Krakow.
z + genitive (origin)
Dostałem list od brata.
I got a letter from my brother.
od + genitive (person)
Pracuję od dziewiątej.
I work from nine o'clock.
od + genitive (time)
3Przy, U, Obok (Near, At)
Przy (by, near), u (at someone's place), and obok (next to) indicate proximity. Przy and u take locative, while obok takes genitive. U is especially common for 'at someone's house'.
Proximity Prepositions
| Preposition | Case | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| przy | locative | by, at | przy stole |
| u | genitive | at (someone's) | u mamy |
| obok | genitive | next to | obok domu |
| blisko | genitive | near | blisko szkoły |
Examples
Siedzimy przy stole.
We're sitting at the table.
przy + locative
Byłem u babci.
I was at grandma's.
u + genitive (person)
Mieszkam obok parku.
I live next to the park.
obok + genitive
Apteka jest blisko.
The pharmacy is nearby.
blisko (without noun)
4Nad, Pod, Przed, Za
These prepositions indicate position: nad (above), pod (under), przed (in front of/before), za (behind/beyond). They take instrumental for location, accusative for direction.
Position Prepositions
| Preposition | Location (Instr.) | Direction (Acc.) |
|---|---|---|
| nad | nad stołem (above) | nad stół (to above) |
| pod | pod stołem (under) | pod stół (to under) |
| przed | przed domem (in front) | przed dom (to front) |
| za | za domem (behind) | za dom (to behind) |
Examples
Lampa wisi nad stołem.
The lamp hangs above the table.
nad + instrumental
Kot jest pod łóżkiem.
The cat is under the bed.
pod + instrumental
Czekam przed kinem.
I'm waiting in front of the cinema.
przed + instrumental
Ogród jest za domem.
The garden is behind the house.
za + instrumental
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
'I live in Warsaw' = Mieszkam ___ Warszawie.
'I'm going to school' = Idę ___ szkoły.
'The book is on the table' = Książka jest ___ stole.
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