Lesson 3:
Grammar
The verbsbyć (to be) and mówić (to speak) in the present tense
In Polish the form of a verb changes depending on the grammatical number and person. Below you can see how this works for the verb być (to be) in the present tense.
| Singular | |
| jestem | I am (first person singular) |
| jesteś | you are (second person singular) |
| jest | he/she/it is (third person singular) |
| Plural | |
| jesteśmy | we are (first person plural) |
| jesteście | you are (second person plural) |
| są | they are (third person plural) |
Jesteś Anglikiem?
Are you English?
Nie, jestem Amerykaninem.
No, I am American.
Now, let’s look at the verb mówić (to speak), which also appears in the dialogue between John and Dr. Milewska. Its present tense forms are shown below:
| Singular | |
| mówię | I speak (first person singular) |
| mówisz | you (sg.) speak (second person singular) |
| mówi | he/she/it speaks (third person singular) |
| Plural | |
| mówimy | we speak (first person plural) |
| mówicie | you (pl.) speak (second person plural) |
| mówią | they speak (third person plural) |
