lubić + Infinitive

Lubić with an Infinitive

Level 1

The pattern lubić + infinitive is used to talk about things you generally enjoy doing. It is the standard way to describe hobbies and habits in Polish.

How It Works

To use this pattern correctly, follow these three rules:

  • Conjugation: You must conjugate lubić to match the person doing the liking (e.g., ja lubię, ty lubisz). It follows the -ę, -isz conjugation pattern.
  • Aspect: You almost always use an imperfective infinitive. This is because lubić describes a general taste or a recurring habit, which aligns with the imperfective aspect.
  • No Connectors: Do not add any prepositions like 'do' between the verbs. It is simply lubię + czytać (I like to read).

While lubić is for stable preferences, if you want to say you like how something looks or sounds in the moment, you would use podobać się instead.

Examples (5)

  1. Lubię czytać książki wieczorem.

    I like reading books in the evening.

    Word by Word: I-like to-read books in-evening.

    A classic example of a general habit using the first-person singular form 'lubię'.

  2. Czy lubisz gotować?

    Do you like to cook?

    Word by Word: [Question-marker] you-like to-cook?

    Using the second-person singular 'lubisz' to ask about a hobby.

  3. Mój brat nie lubi wstawać wcześnie.

    My brother doesn't like getting up early.

    Word by Word: My brother not likes to-get-up early.

    To negate the preference, simply place 'nie' before 'lubi'.

  4. Dzieci lubią bawić się w ogrodzie.

    Children like to play in the garden.

    Word by Word: Children like to-play [reflexive] in garden.

    The infinitive 'bawić się' remains in its basic form after the conjugated 'lubią'.

  5. Ten samochód lubi się psuć.

    This car tends to break down.

    Word by Word: This car likes [reflexive] to-break.

    A figurative use of 'lubić' to describe a tendency or propensity for something to happen.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'do' before the infinitive.

    Lubię do pić kawę.
    Lubię pić kawę.

    Learners often translate the English 'to' (as in 'to drink') literally into Polish 'do'. In Polish, the infinitive form already includes the 'to' meaning.

  • Using the incorrect infinitive form 'lubieć'.

    On chce lubieć sport.
    On chce lubić sport.

    The dictionary form is 'lubić'. Using 'lubieć' is a common non-standard error even among some native speakers, but it is incorrect in standard Polish.

  • Using 'lubić' for a first impression of a film.

    Different MeaningLubię ten film.
    Podoba mi się ten film.

    Lubię ten film is correct for a film you know and like over time. For an immediate impression of something you have just seen, use podobać się: Podoba mi się ten film.

How It Connects

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

lubić + InfinitiveLevel 1Lubić with an Infinitive

Learn This First

Learn Present Tense before Lubić With An Infinitive.

Words in This Pattern

lubić