Lesson 8 – Basic Verbs

Welcome back! In this lesson, we’re diving into two of the most essential verbs in Polish: być (to be) and mieć (to have). These verbs are the building blocks of countless sentences, and mastering their conjugations will take your Polish skills to the next level. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to confidently use these verbs in everyday conversations. Let’s get started!

Why Are These Verbs So Important?

The verbs być (to be) and mieć (to have) are used constantly in Polish. Whether you’re introducing yourself, describing something, or talking about what you own, these verbs will be your go-to tools. Let’s break them down one by one.

Conjugation of “Być” (To Be)

Here’s how to conjugate być in the present tense:

Examples:

• Jestem nauczycielem / nauczycielką. – I am a teacher. (male/female)
• Ona jest lekarką. – She is a doctor.
• Oni są studentami. – They are students.
• Jesteśmy w domu. – We are at home.

Conjugation of “Mieć” (To Have)

Now, let’s look at the conjugation of mieć in the present tense:

Examples:

• Mam samochód. – I have a car.
• On ma brata. – He has a brother.
• Mamy psa. – We have a dog.
• Mają dużo książek. – They have a lot of books.

Using “Być” and “Mieć” in Context

Let’s see how these verbs work in real-life situations:

1. Introducing Yourself:
   • Jestem Anna. Mam 25 lat. – I am Anna. I am 25 years old.
   • Jestem z Polski. Mam siostrę. – I am from Poland. I have a sister.
2. Describing People or Things:
   • Ona jest wysoka. – She is tall.
   • Ten dom jest duży. – This house is big.
3. Talking About Possessions:
   • Mam nowy telefon. – I have a new phone.
   • On ma czarnego kota. – He has a black cat.

Practice Tasks

1. Fill in the Blanks:
   Complete the sentences with the correct form of być or mieć:
   • Ja ___ (jestem/mam) studentem.
   • On ___ (jest/ma) brata.
   • My ___ (jesteśmy/mamy) w restauracji.
   • Ty ___ (jesteś/masz) nowy samochód.
2. Translate These Sentences:
   • I am a teacher.
   • She has a cat.
   • We are at home.
   • They have a lot of friends.
3. Create Your Own Sentences:
   Write 5 sentences using być and 5 sentences using mieć. For example:
   • Jestem lekarzem. – I am a doctor.
   • Mam psa i kota. – I have a dog and a cat.

Grammar Notes

1. Noun Cases with “Być” and “Mieć”:
   • With być, the noun describing the subject often takes the instrumental case.
     Example: Jestem nauczycielem. (I am a teacher – masculine), Jestem nauczycielką. (I am a teacher – feminine).
   • With mieć, the object takes the accusative case.
     Example: Mam psa. (I have a dog), Mam książkę. (I have a book).
2. Verb Conjugation Patterns:
   • Both być and mieć are irregular verbs, so their conjugations don’t follow a standard pattern. Memorize them as they are!

Cultural Tip: Polish Politeness

When introducing yourself or describing others in Polish, it’s common to use formal language in professional or unfamiliar settings. For example:

• Jestem pani Anna. – I am Ms. Anna.
• On jest panem Kowalskim. – He is Mr. Kowalski.

This adds a layer of respect and politeness to your conversations.

Homework

1. Write 10 sentences using być and mieć. Mix and match subjects, objects, and descriptions.
2. Practice conjugating być and mieć out loud until it feels natural.
3. Bonus: Look up 5 new nouns and practice using them with być and mieć.

That’s it for Lesson 8! You’ve now mastered two of the most important verbs in Polish. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using them effortlessly in conversations. Do zobaczenia! 😊