Noun cases

There are seven cases of noun and adjective declension in Polish. So far we have only introduced the nominative (mianownik) and the accusative (biernik), in Polish:Basic sentences 1. The whole list, in traditional order, is:

Nominative (mianownik)
Genitive (dopełniacz)
Dative (celownik)
Accusative (biernik)
Instrumental (narzędnik)
Locative (miejscownik)
Vocative (wołacz)

Nominative

No need to memorize endings as nouns and modifiers are in this case. Use the basic, unmarked, dictionary forms.

Indicates the subject of a sentence.
- Gosia pisze książkę. - Gosia is writing a book. (Gosia in nominative because she is the subject of the sentence)

Used for most lone adjectives and sentences of the type "To jest X".
- Piotr jest przystojny. - Piotr is handsome. (przystojny is in the nominative)
- To jest moja żona. - This is my wife. (moja żona is in the nominative)

Genitive

Used to indicate possession. Often corresponds to English 's or of:
- Adam widzi kota Agnieszki - Adam sees Agnieszka's cat (Agnieszka in genitive)
- Kot Piotra pije mleko - Piotr's cat drinks milk (Piotr in genitive)

Used with units or amounts:
- puszka piwa - a can of beer (beer in genitive)

Used after certain prepositions such as dla, do, od.

Used for the direct object in a negative sentence (Only if the positive sentence would use the accusative!):
- Kot pije mleko - The cat drinks milk. (Milk in the accusative)
- Kot nie pije mleka - The cat doesn't drink milk. (Milk in genitive)
- Agnieszka jest dziewczyną - Agnieszka is a girl. (Girl in instrumental)
- Adam nie jest dziewczyną - Adam is not a girl. (Girl remains in the instrumental)
- Agnieszka daje kotu mleko - Agnieszka gives milk to the cat (Milk in the accusative, cat in the dative)
- Agnieszka nie daje kotu mleka - Agnieszka doesn't give milk to the cat (Milk is now in the genitive, cat still in the dative).

Dative

Indicates the indirect object. To whom something is given, or action for somebody:
- Basia daje kotu mleko - Basia gives milk to the cat. (Cat is in the dative.)
- Znajdę Ci dom. - I'll find you a house (for you).

After certain verbs, like dziękować komuś (to thank someone), pomóc komuś (to help someone), wierzyć komuś (to believe someone)

expressions of the type:
- Jest mi zimno - I'm cold
- Jest nam smutno - We're feeling sad
- Będzie wam trudniej... - It will be more difficult for you guys...
- Śniło jej się, że... - She dreamt that...

when something is taken away or something befalls someone
- Zdechł im pies - Their dog died
- Wzięli mi komputer - They took away my computer
- Zgasła mojemu sąsiadowi nadzieja - My neighbor's hopes were extinguished.

Accusative

Indicates the direct object of the sentence
- Piotr kocha Kasię. - Piotr loves Kasia.
- Bożena śpiewa piosenkę. - Bożena is singing a song.

Used with some prepositions to indicate a motion/change (Note that the same preposition + locative or, more rarely the instrumental, indicates a state/condition)
- "na stole" - on the table (a state/condition, so you need to use the locative)
- "na stół" - onto the table (motion, so accusative)
- "na poczcie" - at the post office (state/condition so locative)
- "na pocztę" - to the post office (motion so accusative)
- "pod stołem" - under the table (a state/condition, pod is one of those prepostions which take the instrumental, not the locative)
- "pod stół" - towards and under the table (motion so accusative)

Exception: The preposition "w" (in) takes the locative when indicating a state/condition, but to imply change you must use the preposition "do" + genitive.

"Jestem w sklepie" (I am in the shop), but "Idę do sklepu" (I am going to the shop) instead of "Idę w sklep".

Instrumental

Indicates the tool or means
- Basia jedzie samochodem - Basia is driving a car. (The car is the tool or means so it needs to be in the instrumental)

A few prepositions, like "z" ("with") or "za":
- Adam jest z Basią - Adam is with Basia (May either mean "in this moment", or more permanently, for example as boy- and girlfriend.)

With certain verbs "być" (to be), "zostać" (to become), "interesować się czymś/kimś" (to be interested in something):
- Basia jest dziewczyną - Basia is a girl.
- Adam jest chłopakiem - Adam is a boy.
- Marzena interesuje się modą - Marzena is interested in fashion.
- Piotr jest przystojnym chłopakiem. - Piotr is a handsome guy.

Exceptions: Most lone adjectives and "To jest X".

Piotr jest przystojny. - Piotr is handsome. (przystojny is in the nominative)
To jest moja żona. - This is my wife. (moja żona is in the nominative)

Locative

Never used alone; only in connection with certain prepositions, like "w" (in) and "o" (about).
- Chłopak myśli o dziewczynie - The boy is thinking about the girl.
- Adam jest w banku. - Adam is in the bank.

Vocative

Used to address someone directly

Often replaced by the nominative in colloquial language, however the vocative remains common in the following situations:
- To address someone in a rude or offensive manner (A phrase like ty kretynie! ("you cretin!") or ty idioto ("you idiot!") can only be expressed in the vocative, never in the nominative).
- In formal situations, Panie Kazimierzu, niech pan przyniesie te klucze.
- In affectionate contexts, such as Kocham Cię Krzysiu! ("I love you, Chris!")

Only masculine and feminine singulars have a separate form.

Before declension tables are provided, let's take a look at adjectives:

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