# Noun cases

There are seven cases of noun and adjective declension in Polish. So far we have only introduced the nominative (mianownik) and the accusative (biernik), in Polish:Basic sentences 1. The whole list, in traditional order, is:
* Nominative (mianownik)
* Genitive (dopełniacz)
* Dative (celownik)
* Accusative (biernik)
* Instrumental (narzędnik)
* Locative (miejscownik)
* Vocative (wołacz)

## Nominative

No need to memorize endings as nouns and modifiers are in this case. Use the basic, unmarked, dictionary forms.
* Indicates the subject of a sentence.
** Gosia pisze książkę. - Gosia is writing a book. (Gosia in nominative because she is the subject of the sentence)
* Used for most lone adjectives and sentences of the type "To jest X".
** Piotr jest przystojny. - Piotr is handsome. (przystojny is in the nominative)
** To jest moja żona. - This is my wife. (moja żona is in the nominative)

## Genitive

* Used to indicate possession. Often corresponds to English 's or of:
** Adam widzi kota Agnieszki - Adam sees Agnieszka's cat (Agnieszka in genitive)
** Kot Piotra pije mleko - Piotr's cat drinks milk (Piotr in genitive)
* Used with units or amounts:
** puszka piwa - a can of beer (beer in genitive)
* Used after certain prepositions such as dla, do, od.
* Used for the direct object in a negative sentence (Only if the positive sentence would use the accusative!):
** Kot pije mleko - The cat drinks milk. (Milk in the accusative)
** Kot nie pije mleka - The cat doesn't drink milk. (Milk in genitive)
** Agnieszka jest dziewczyną - Agnieszka is a girl. (Girl in instrumental)
** Adam nie jest dziewczyną - Adam is not a girl. (Girl remains in the instrumental)
** Agnieszka daje kotu mleko - Agnieszka gives milk to the cat (Milk in the accusative, cat in the dative)
** Agnieszka nie daje kotu mleka - Agnieszka doesn't give milk to the cat (Milk is now in the genitive, cat still in the dative).

## Dative

* Indicates the indirect object. To whom something is given, or action for somebody:
** Basia daje kotu mleko - Basia gives milk to the cat. (Cat is in the dative.)
** Znajdę Ci dom. - I'll find you a house (for you).
* After certain verbs, like dziękować komuś (to thank someone), pomóc komuś (to help someone), wierzyć komuś (to believe someone)
* expressions of the type:
** Jest mi zimno - I'm cold
** Jest nam smutno - We're feeling sad
** Będzie wam trudniej... - It will be more difficult for you guys...
** Śniło jej się, że... - She dreamt that...
* when something is taken away or something befalls someone
** Zdechł im pies - Their dog died
** Wzięli mi komputer - They took away my computer
** Zgasła mojemu sąsiadowi nadzieja - My neighbor's hopes were extinguished.

## Accusative

* Indicates the direct object of the sentence
** Piotr kocha Kasię. - Piotr loves Kasia.
** Bożena śpiewa piosenkę. - Bożena is singing a song.
* Used with some prepositions to indicate a motion/change (Note that the same preposition + locative or, more rarely the instrumental, indicates a state/condition)
** "na stole" - on the table (a state/condition, so you need to use the locative)
** "na stół" - onto the table (motion, so accusative)
** "na poczcie" - at the post office (state/condition so locative)
** "na pocztę" - to the post office (motion so accusative)
** "pod stołem" - under the table (a state/condition, pod is one of those prepostions which take the instrumental, not the locative)
** "pod stół" - towards and under the table (motion so accusative)
Exception: The preposition "w" (in) takes the locative when indicating a state/condition, but to imply change you must use the preposition "do" + genitive.
* "Jestem w sklepie" (I am in the shop), but "Idę do sklepu" (I am going to the shop) instead of "Idę w sklep".

## Instrumental

* Indicates the tool or means
** Basia jedzie samochodem - Basia is driving a car. (The car is the tool or means so it needs to be in the instrumental)
* A few prepositions, like "z" ("with") or "za":
** Adam jest z Basią - Adam is with Basia (May either mean "in this moment", or more permanently, for example as boy- and girlfriend.)
* With certain verbs "być" (to be), "zostać" (to become), "interesować się czymś/kimś" (to be interested in something):
** Basia jest dziewczyną - Basia is a girl.
** Adam jest chłopakiem - Adam is a boy.
** Marzena interesuje się modą - Marzena is interested in fashion.
** Piotr jest przystojnym chłopakiem. - Piotr is a handsome guy.
Exceptions: Most lone adjectives and "To jest X".
* Piotr jest przystojny. - Piotr is handsome. (przystojny is in the nominative)
* To jest moja żona. - This is my wife. (moja żona is in the nominative)

## Locative

* Never used alone; only in connection with certain prepositions, like "w" (in) and "o" (about).
** Chłopak myśli o dziewczynie - The boy is thinking about the girl.
** Adam jest w banku. - Adam is in the bank.

## Vocative

* Used to address someone directly
* Often replaced by the nominative in colloquial language, however the vocative remains common in the following situations:
** To address someone in a rude or offensive manner (A phrase like ty kretynie! ("you cretin!") or ty idioto ("you idiot!") can only be expressed in the vocative, never in the nominative).
** In formal situations, Panie Kazimierzu, niech pan przyniesie te klucze.
** In affectionate contexts, such as Kocham Cię Krzysiu! ("I love you, Chris!")
Only masculine and feminine singulars have a separate form.
Before declension tables are provided, let's take a look at adjectives:
< Polish pronunciation < ^ Polish ^