Lesson 13 – Prepositions

Welcome back! In this lesson, we’re diving into basic prepositions in Polish. Prepositions are small but mighty words that help us describe location, time, and relationships between objects. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to use prepositions confidently in sentences and understand how they work in everyday Polish. Let’s get started!

Why Learn Prepositions?

Prepositions are essential for describing where things are, when events happen, and how objects relate to each other. They’re used in almost every sentence, so mastering them will make your Polish sound more natural and precise.

Common Polish Prepositions

Here are some of the most frequently used prepositions in Polish, along with their meanings and examples:

Using Prepositions in Context

Let’s see how these prepositions work in real-life sentences:

1. Location:
   • Jestem w szkole. – I am at school.
   • Samochód jest na parkingu. – The car is in the parking lot.
   • Pies śpi pod łóżkiem. – The dog is sleeping under the bed.
2. Time:
   • Spotykamy się o 18:00. – We are meeting at 6:00 PM.
   • W lecie jeżdżę nad morze. – In the summer, I go to the seaside.
3. Relationships:
   • Idę do sklepu z przyjacielem. – I am going to the store with a friend.
   • To prezent dla mamy. – This is a gift for mom.

Grammar Notes

1. Prepositions and Cases:
   • Prepositions in Polish often require the noun that follows to be in a specific grammatical case. For example:
     • w + locative: Jestem w domu. (I am at home.)
     • na + locative: Książka jest na stole. (The book is on the table.)
     • do + genitive: Idę do sklepu. (I am going to the store.)
2. Fixed Expressions:
   • Some prepositions are used in fixed expressions. For example:
     • Dziękuję za pomoc. – Thank you for the help.
     • Myślę o tobie. – I am thinking about you.

Practice Tasks

1. Fill in the Blanks:
   Complete the sentences with the correct preposition:
   • Kot jest ___ (under) łóżkiem.
   • Idę ___ (to) szkoły.
   • Spotykamy się ___ (at) 19:00.
   • Sklep jest ___ (next to) parku.
2. Translate These Sentences:
   • The keys are on the table.
   • I am sitting by the window.
   • She is going to the cinema with her friend.
   • We are talking about the weather.
3. Describe Your Room:
   Look around your room and write 5 sentences using prepositions. For example:
   • Lampka jest na biurku. – The lamp is on the desk.
   • Książki są pod łóżkiem. – The books are under the bed.

Cultural Tip: Prepositions in Everyday Polish

In Poland, prepositions are used in many common phrases and expressions. For example:

• Czekam na autobus. – I am waiting for the bus.
• Jestem w pracy. – I am at work.
• Idę do kina. – I am going to the cinema.

These phrases are great for practicing prepositions and sounding more natural in Polish.

Homework

1. Write 10 sentences using different prepositions. Include examples of location, time, and relationships.
2. Practice describing where objects are in your home using prepositions.
3. Bonus: Look up 5 new prepositions and practice using them in sentences.

That’s it for Lesson 13! You’ve now mastered the basics of Polish prepositions. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using them effortlessly in conversations. Do zobaczenia! 😊