ono / jego / mu / nim

Neuter Third-Person Cases

Level 3

The pronoun ono (it) refers to neuter nouns like dziecko (child) or okno (window). While it shares many forms with the masculine on, its accusative form (je) is unique.

How It Works

The pronoun ono follows a specific declension pattern:

  • Nominative: ono (Subject). Often omitted due to subject pronoun omission.
  • Genitive: go / jego / niego. Use jego for possession (meaning "its"). Use go (short) or jego (long/emphatic) as an object pronoun, especially under negation.
  • Dative: mu / jemu / niemu. Used for the recipient of an action.
  • Accusative: je / nie. Used for the direct object. Note: Unlike masculine pronouns, the neuter accusative is always je (or nie after a preposition).
  • Instrumental/Locative: nim. Used after certain prepositions or to show means.

Short vs. Long Forms:
For the Genitive and Dative objects, use short forms (go, mu) in the middle of sentences and long forms (jego, jemu) for emphasis or at the start of a sentence. Important: The neuter Accusative je has no long form. To emphasize a neuter object, speakers usually use the demonstrative to or repeat the noun.

The 'N-Forms':
When a pronoun follows a preposition (like do, na, z), you must use the form starting with 'n' for the Genitive (niego), Dative (niemu), and Accusative (nie). This is a strict rule of pronouns after prepositions. Note that nim is the only form for the Instrumental and Locative, used both with and without prepositions.

Examples (4)

  1. To jest moje dziecko. Kocham je.

    This is my child. I love it/him/her.

    Word by Word: This is my child. I-love it.

    Uses the accusative form 'je' because 'dziecko' is a neuter noun and the direct object of the verb.

  2. Gdzie jest moje piwo? Nie widzę go.

    Where is my beer? I don't see it.

    Word by Word: Where is my beer? Not I-see it.

    Uses the genitive form 'go' because the verb is negated ('nie widzę'). Neuter and masculine share the genitive form 'go'.

  3. To jest okno. Patrzę przez nie.

    This is a window. I am looking through it.

    Word by Word: This is window. I-look through it.

    Uses the 'n-form' (nie) because it follows the preposition 'przez'.

  4. Kupiłem nowe auto i jeżdżę nim do pracy.

    I bought a new car and I drive it to work.

    Word by Word: I-bought new car and I-drive it to work.

    Uses the instrumental form 'nim' because the verb 'jeździć' (to drive/travel by) requires the instrumental case.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'go' instead of 'je' for neuter accusative objects.

    Widzę to dziecko i kocham go.
    Widzę to dziecko i kocham je.

    Learners often use the masculine accusative 'go' for everything. Neuter nouns require 'je' in the accusative case.

  • Using 'ono' for all inanimate objects (the 'English it' trap).

    Gdzie jest telefon? Ono jest na stole.
    Gdzie jest telefon? On jest na stole.

    In Polish, 'it' must match the noun's gender. Since 'telefon' is masculine, you must use 'on', not 'ono'.

  • Forgetting the 'n' after a preposition.

    Czekam na je.
    Czekam na nie.

    After any preposition (like 'na'), you must use the prepositional form starting with 'n'.

How It Connects

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

ono / jego / mu / nimLevel 3Neuter Third-Person Cases

Learn This First

Learn The Seven Cases before Neuter Third-Person Cases.

Words in This Pattern

onojegonim