Lesson 5 Countries & Nationalities

Being able to say where you’re from is a key part of everyday conversations. In this lesson, we’ll explore how to talk about countries and nationalities in Polish. You’ll notice that country names and nationalities change depending on gender, so we’ll break it all down for you. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to confidently say where you’re from and describe your nationality in Polish!

Countries and Nationalities: The Basics

In Polish, the names of countries and nationalities often change depending on whether you’re talking about a man or a woman. Here’s a list of common countries and their corresponding nationalities:

How to Use These in Sentences

Now that you know the words, let’s see how to use them in sentences. Here’s the basic structure:

• Jestem z [country]. – I am from [country].
  Example: Jestem z Polski. (I am from Poland.)
• Jestem [nationality]. – I am [nationality].
  Example: Jestem Polakiem. (I am Polish – male) / Jestem Polką. (I am Polish – female).

Here are more examples:

1. On jest z Niemiec. Jest Niemcem. – He is from Germany. He is German.
2. Ona jest z Francji. Jest Francuzką. – She is from France. She is French.
3. Jesteśmy z Włoch. Jesteśmy Włochami. – We are from Italy. We are Italian.
4. Oni są z Chin. Są Chińczykami. – They are from China. They are Chinese.

Grammar Notes

1. Prepositions and Cases:
   • When saying where you’re from, use z (from) + the genitive case.
     Example: z Polski (from Poland), z Francji (from France).
   • Some countries, like Niemcy (Germany) and Włochy (Italy), have unique forms in the genitive case.
2. Nationality Endings:
   • Male nationalities often end in -ek, -czyk, or -anin.
   • Female nationalities usually end in -ka or -anka.
3. Plural Forms:
   • For groups of mixed or male genders, use the male plural form.
   • For groups of only females, use the female plural form.
     Example: Oni są Polakami. (They are Polish – mixed or male group) / One są Polkami. (They are Polish – female group).

Practice Tasks

1. Fill in the Blanks:
   Complete the sentences with your own information:
   • Jestem z ___.
   • Jestem ___ (use the correct nationality for your gender).
   • Mój przyjaciel jest z ___. On jest ___.
   • Moja przyjaciółka jest z ___. Ona jest ___.
2. Translate These Sentences:
   • I am from Canada. I am Canadian.
   • She is from Japan. She is Japanese.
   • They are from Brazil. They are Brazilian.
3. Create Your Own Sentences:
   Write 5 sentences about yourself, your friends, or family members using countries and nationalities. For example:
   • Jestem z Meksyku. Jestem Meksykaninem.
   • Mój brat jest z Australii. On jest Australijczykiem.

Cultural Tip: Talking About Nationalities

In Poland, people often ask about your nationality or where you’re from, especially if you have an accent or look different. It’s usually a friendly way to start a conversation, so don’t be shy to share! If you’re unsure how to say your country or nationality in Polish, just ask:

• Jak mówi się [country] po polsku? – How do you say [country] in Polish?
• Jak się nazywa osoba z [country]? – What do you call a person from [country]?

Homework

1. Write a short paragraph about yourself, your family, or friends using countries and nationalities.
   Example: Jestem z Polski. Jestem Polką. Mój tata jest z Niemiec. On jest Niemcem. Moja mama jest z Francji. Ona jest Francuzką.
2. Practice saying the names of 10 countries and their nationalities out loud. Focus on pronunciation!
3. Bonus: Look up how to say your country and nationality in Polish if it’s not on the list above.

That’s it for Lesson 5! Now you can confidently talk about where you’re from and describe nationalities in Polish. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll sound like a native! Do zobaczenia! 😊