Lesson 36
In this lesson we will learn words describing countries and nationalities. This will go hand in hand with the next lesson where we learn how to talk about the languages that make up these same countries.
Memorize new vocabulary
| Country | Kraj
| Mężczyzna (Man)
| Kobieta (Woman)
|
| Poland | Polska
| Polak
| Polka
|
United States (America)
| Stany Zjednoczone (Ameryka)
| Amerykanin
| Amerykanka
|
Great Britain (England)
| Wielka Brytania (Anglia)
| Anglik
| Angielka
|
| Germany | Niemcy | Niemiec
| Niemka
|
| Russia | Rosja
| Rosjanin
| Rosjanka
|
| Czech | Czechy
| Czech
| Czeszka
|
| Slovakia | Słowacja
| Słowak
| Słowaczka |
| China | Chiny
| Chińczyk
| Chinka
|
| India | Indie
| Indyjczyk | Indyjka |
Apply it to Sentence Structure
Just like in English the name of a country and the name for the people in the country can be slightly different, for example: America - American. The same is true in Polish. However, in Polish the names for people who live in a country are categorized by men and women, for example: Amerykanin (man), Amerykanka (woman).
Notice that the female form ends with -ka.
If you want to express your nationality, saying “I am American”, you must adjust the noun “American” into the instrumental case. This is because you use the verb być in this structure. For a review of the instrumental case go to Lesson 21.
Examples:
Jestem Polakiem.
I am a Polish man.
Moja żona jest Amerykanką.
My wife is an American woman.
This is... / Where is...?
You can simply use the nouns in their nominative case to express, To jest ... (This is ...) or Gdzie jest ...? (Where is ...?). This means you do not change the form of a noun, just refer to the list above.
Examples:
To jest Polska.
This is Poland.
To jest Chińczyk.
This is a Chinese man.
Gdzie jest Anglia?
Where is England?
Gdzie jest ta Niemka?
Where is this German woman?
Note!
Some countries are in plural forms. We recommend you memorize these exceptions.
Here are the countries in the plural form:
Stany Zjednoczone
Niemcy
Czechy
Chiny
Indie
When using the names of these countries, remember to use the appropriate forms of the verbs and adjectives as if you were using a plural subject.
Examples:
Stany Zjednoczone są bardzo ładne.
The United States is very pretty.
Niemcy są bardzo czystym krajem.
Germany is a very clean country.
Practice it!
Translate the following sentences into Polish.
1. I am a Chinese woman.
2. He is a Russian man.
3. Her husband is an American man.
4. Where is Russia?
5. Where is India?
Practice saying your nationality out loud. Say Jestem ... Mój kraj to ...
*Click here for answer key*
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