blisko + Genitive

Blisko with the Genitive

Level 2

Blisko (near/close to) is a common preposition that always requires the genitive case. It is used for physical distance, time, and nearly-reached quantities.

How It Works

The pattern blisko + genitive is highly versatile in Polish:

  • Physical Proximity: Used to describe things that are nearby. Mieszkam blisko lasu (I live near the forest).
  • Temporal Proximity: Used for time that is approaching. Jest blisko północy (It is close to midnight).
  • Quantities: Used to mean 'nearly' or 'almost' with numbers. Wydaliśmy blisko tysiąca złotych (We spent nearly a thousand zlotys).

Grammar Note: The preposition blisko strictly requires the genitive case. This also applies to its comparative forms bliżej (closer) and najbliżej (closest). While the adjective bliski (close) uses the dative for emotional relationships (e.g., bliski sercu), it uses the genitive when referring to being close to a state or outcome (e.g., bliski płaczu - close to tears).

Examples (5)

  1. Mieszkam blisko centrum miasta.

    I live near the city center.

    Word by Word: I live near center of city.

    'Centrum' and 'miasta' are both in the genitive case following 'blisko'.

  2. Jest już blisko siódmej.

    It is already close to seven.

    Word by Word: It is already near seventh.

    When telling time, 'blisko' is followed by the genitive form of the ordinal number.

  3. Usiądź blisko mnie.

    Sit near me.

    Word by Word: Sit near me.

    'Mnie' is the genitive form of the pronoun 'ja' (I/me).

  4. Było tam blisko stu osób.

    There were nearly a hundred people there.

    Word by Word: There were there near hundred people.

    When used to mean 'nearly', 'blisko' still governs the genitive case, so 'sto' becomes 'stu'.

  5. Szkoła jest blisko parku.

    The school is near the park.

    Word by Word: School is near park.

    'Parku' is the genitive singular form of 'park'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dative case instead of the genitive.

    Mieszkam blisko parkowi.
    Mieszkam blisko parku.

    Learners often use the dative because the adjective 'bliski' can take the dative for relationships, or because of English 'close TO'. Always use the genitive with the preposition 'blisko'.

  • Adding 'do' when you only mean 'near the house'.

    Different MeaningBlisko do domu.
    Blisko domu.

    'Blisko do domu' is correct when you talk about distance, as in 'Mam blisko do domu' (It is a short way home). To say something is located near the house, use 'blisko' with the genitive: 'blisko domu'.

How It Connects

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blisko + GenitiveLevel 2Blisko with the Genitive

Learn This First

Learn Genitive Case before Blisko With The Genitive.

Words in This Pattern

blisko