A2 Polish GrammarPrepositions (Location & Direction)
Master Polish prepositions for expressing location, direction, and movement. Polish prepositions govern specific cases - some take genitive, others locative or instrumental. Learn which case to use with prepositions like w (in), na (on), do (to), z (from), and przy (near).
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1Location Prepositions with Locative
The locative case is used with w (in) and na (on) to indicate where something or someone is located. W is used for enclosed spaces (w domu, w szkole), while na is used for surfaces, islands, events, and certain places (na stole, na uniwersytecie). The locative is only used after prepositions.
Location with Locative
| Preposition | Meaning | Case | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| w | in | locative | w domu (at home) |
| na | on, at | locative | na stole (on the table) |
| przy | near, by | locative | przy oknie (by the window) |
| o | about | locative | o mnie (about me) |
Examples
Jestem w szkole.
I am at school.
w + locative (szkole)
Książka jest na stole.
The book is on the table.
na + locative (stole)
Siedzę przy oknie.
I'm sitting by the window.
przy + locative (oknie)
Myślę o tobie.
I'm thinking about you.
o + locative (tobie)
2Direction Prepositions with Genitive
To express direction 'to' or 'from' a place, use do (to) and z (from) with the genitive case. Do indicates movement toward a destination, while z indicates movement away from a place. These are essential for describing travel and daily movements.
Direction with Genitive
| Preposition | Meaning | Case | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| do | to | genitive | do szkoły (to school) |
| z/ze | from | genitive | z domu (from home) |
| od | from (person) | genitive | od mamy (from mom) |
| bez | without | genitive | bez wody (without water) |
Examples
Idę do sklepu.
I'm going to the store.
do + genitive (sklepu)
Wracam z pracy.
I'm returning from work.
z + genitive (pracy)
Dostałem list od babci.
I got a letter from grandma.
od + genitive (babci)
Kawa bez cukru.
Coffee without sugar.
bez + genitive (cukru)
3Movement Prepositions with Accusative
When indicating movement toward a surface or into an enclosed space, w and na take the accusative case instead of locative. W + accusative means 'into', and na + accusative means 'onto'. The difference from locative is motion vs. static location.
Movement with Accusative
| Preposition | Meaning | Case | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| w | into | accusative | w las (into the forest) |
| na | onto | accusative | na stół (onto the table) |
| przez | through | accusative | przez park (through park) |
| za | behind (motion) | accusative | za dom (behind house) |
Examples
Wchodzę w las.
I'm entering the forest.
w + accusative for 'into'
Kładę książkę na stół.
I'm putting the book on the table.
na + accusative for motion
Przechodzę przez most.
I'm walking across the bridge.
przez + accusative
Idę za dom.
I'm going behind the house.
za + accusative for motion
4Accompaniment with Instrumental
The instrumental case is used with z (with) to express accompaniment, and with prepositions like nad (above), pod (under), przed (in front of), and za (behind) for location. These prepositions take instrumental when describing static position.
Accompaniment/Position with Instrumental
| Preposition | Meaning | Case | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| z/ze | with | instrumental | z przyjacielem (with friend) |
| nad | above | instrumental | nad stołem (above table) |
| pod | under | instrumental | pod drzewem (under tree) |
| przed | in front of | instrumental | przed domem |
Examples
Idę z bratem.
I'm going with my brother.
z + instrumental (bratem)
Lampa wisi nad stołem.
The lamp hangs above the table.
nad + instrumental for position
Kot śpi pod łóżkiem.
The cat is sleeping under the bed.
pod + instrumental
Czekam przed kinem.
I'm waiting in front of the cinema.
przed + instrumental
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
'I am at school': Jestem ___ szkole. (location requires ___)
'I'm going to the store': Idę ___ sklepu. (direction requires ___)
'I'm going with my brother': Idę ___ bratem.
'The cat is under the bed': Kot jest ___ łóżkiem.
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