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Verbs
The Verb "Być" (To Be)
Czasownik być
The most important verb in Polish. Irregular — memorize this table.
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).
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.
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.