Let's Commands

Level 2

Formed by adding -my to the 2nd-person singular imperative (the ty form). It is the standard way to say 'Let's' in Polish.

How It Works

To form the first-person plural imperative, follow these steps:

1. Start with the informal singular command (the ty form).
2. Add the suffix -my.

Aspect Nuances:

  • Perfective: Used for a single, completed action. Example: Zróbmy to! (Let's do it!).
  • Imperfective: Used for ongoing or repeated actions. Example: Tańczmy! (Let's dance!).
  • Negation: When saying 'Let's not...', almost always use the imperfective aspect. Example: Nie kupujmy tego. (Let's not buy this).

Stem Changes:
Because this form is built on the singular imperative, it inherits all stem changes, such as:

  • Vowel shifts: o often becomes ó (e.g., róbmy from robić).
  • Consonant softening: Stems may end in soft consonants like ś, ć, dź (e.g., idźmy from iść).
  • -ij/-yj insertion: Used for difficult consonant clusters (e.g., zamknijmy).

Examples (5)

  1. Chodźmy do kina!

    Let's go to the cinema!

    Word by Word: Let-go to cinema!

    'Chodźmy' is the irregular imperative form of 'chodzić' (to go/walk).

  2. Zjedzmy coś pysznego.

    Let's eat something delicious.

    Word by Word: Let-eat something delicious.

    Uses the perfective verb 'zjeść' to suggest a single completed meal.

  3. Nie czekajmy na niego.

    Let's not wait for him.

    Word by Word: Not let-wait for him.

    Negative commands typically use the imperfective aspect ('czekać').

  4. Pijmy kawę i rozmawiajmy.

    Let's drink coffee and talk.

    Word by Word: Let-drink coffee and let-talk.

    Uses imperfective forms to suggest an ongoing activity.

  5. Kupmy ten samochód!

    Let's buy this car!

    Word by Word: Let-buy this car!

    A perfective command focusing on the result of the purchase.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the present indicative where the imperative is the standard 'let us' form.

    Different MeaningPiszemy list!
    Piszmy list!

    'Piszemy' means 'we are writing' and is often used in speech as a lively invitation (No to piszemy!). The imperative piszmy is the standard form for 'let us write'.

  • Using the perfective aspect in a negative 'let's' command.

    Nie zróbmy tego.
    Nie róbmy tego.

    In Polish, negative commands almost always require the imperfective aspect to sound natural.

  • Forgetting stem changes like the o to ó shift.

    Robmy to.
    Róbmy to.

    The imperative stem often undergoes a vowel shift where 'o' becomes 'ó' in closed syllables.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Let's CommandsLevel 2

Learn This First

Learn Present First-Person Plural before Let's Commands.