Nouns: Accusative Case

01

Feminine Nouns: The -ę Ending

For feminine nouns, the Accusative is very distinct. Most feminine nouns end in -a in their basic (dictionary) form. In the Accusative singular, this -a changes to -ę. Adjectives modifying these nouns change their ending to -ą.

• Mam nową książkę.

  I have a new book.

• On kocha swoją żonę.

  He loves his wife.

• Piję czarną kawę.

  I am drinking black coffee.

If a feminine noun does not end in -a (for example, nouns ending in a consonant like krew or noc), it usually does not change in the Accusative singular.

02

Masculine Nouns: Animate vs. Inanimate

Masculine nouns are divided into two categories in the singular: animate (living things like people and animals) and inanimate (objects and abstract concepts).

1. Masculine Inanimate

These nouns do not change form. The Accusative form is identical to the Nominative (dictionary) form. Adjectives also remain unchanged.

• Widzę ten stary dom.

  I see this old house.

• Kupuję nowy telefon.

  I am buying a new phone.

2. Masculine Animate

Nouns referring to people and animals change their form to look exactly like the Genitive case. They typically take the ending -a. Adjectives modifying these nouns take the ending -ego.

• Mam małego psa.

  I have a small dog.

• Znam tego wysokiego mężczyznę.

  I know this tall man.

• Widzę twojego brata.

  I see your brother.

03

Neuter Nouns

Neuter nouns are straightforward in the Accusative case. They do not change form and remain identical to the Nominative case. This applies to both the noun and the adjective.

• Lubię to polskie piwo.

  I like this Polish beer.

• Widzę duże drzewo.

  I see a big tree.

04

Plural Nouns

In the plural, the distinction shifts slightly. Instead of animate/inanimate, the division is between "Masculine Personal" (groups containing men) and "All Other Nouns" (women, animals, objects, neuters).

Masculine Personal Plural

These nouns take the Genitive plural endings (usually -ów). Adjectives take the ending -ych or -ich.

• Znam tych dobrych lekarzy.

  I know these good doctors.

• Widzę tamtych chłopców.

  I see those boys.

All Other Plurals

For feminine nouns, neuter nouns, and masculine nouns that are not people (including animals), the Accusative plural is identical to the Nominative plural.

• Lubię polskie miasta.

  I like Polish cities.

• Ona kocha koty.

  She loves cats.

• Kupuję czerwone jabłka.

  I am buying red apples.

05

Usage with Prepositions

The Accusative case is also required after specific prepositions, particularly when indicating motion or duration.

Motion: Na (to/on) and W (into)

When na and w describe movement towards a destination, they trigger the Accusative.

• Idę na pocztę.

  I am going to the post office.

• Wsiadam w autobus.

  I am getting on the bus.

Other Prepositions

The prepositions przez through/by and po for (fetching something) always take the Accusative.

• Patrzę przez okno.

  I am looking through the window.

• Idę do sklepu po mleko.

  I am going to the store for milk.