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The Verb "Być" (To Be)
Czasownik być
The most important verb in Polish. Irregular — memorize this table.
Verbs
Być — Present Tense
| Person | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| ja | jestem | I am |
| ty | jesteś | you are (informal) |
| on / ona / ono | jest | he / she / it is |
| my | jesteśmy | we are |
| wy | jesteście | you are (plural) |
| oni / one | są | they are |
The two most-used forms: jest (he/she/it is) and są (they are).
Tip
Polish drops the pronoun most of the time, because the verb ending already tells you who. "Jestem zmęczony" is more natural than "Ja jestem zmęczony." Add "ja" only for emphasis.
Watch out
After być, a noun goes into the INSTRUMENTAL case, not the dictionary form: "Jestem student" ✗ → "Jestem studentem" ✓
- Jestem z Polski.I am from Poland.
- Ona jest nauczycielką.She is a teacher.
- Jesteśmy zmęczeni.We are tired.
- Oni są moimi przyjaciółmi.They are my friends.