one / ich / im / nimi

Non-Masculine-Personal Pronoun Cases

Level 3

In Polish, 'they' is split into two categories: oni (at least one male human) and one (everything else). When 'one' changes cases (like 'them' or 'with them'), it uses the forms ich, im, nimi, and nie/nich.

How It Works

Polish pronouns are highly sensitive to grammatical case. For the non-masculine-personal 'they' (one), you must learn the following forms:

  • Genitive: ich (or nich after prepositions)
  • Dative: im (or nim after prepositions)
  • Accusative: je (or nie after prepositions)
  • Instrumental: nimi
  • Locative: nich (always used with a preposition)

The 'n-' Rule:
A crucial rule for pronouns after prepositions is that they gain an initial n-. For example, 'for them' becomes dla nich, and 'on them' becomes na nie.

Accusative Distinction:
One of the most important distinctions for learners is the Accusative form. While the masculine-personal 'they' (men) uses ich in the accusative, the non-masculine one uses je. If you are looking at books (feminine/inanimate), you say Widzę je, not Widzę ich.

Examples (6)

  1. Gdzie są dziewczyny? Nie widzę ich.

    Where are the girls? I don't see them.

    Word by Word: Where are girls? Not I-see them.

    Uses the genitive form 'ich' because the verb is negated (genitive after negation).

  2. To są moje klucze. Bardzo ich potrzebuję.

    These are my keys. I need them very much.

    Word by Word: This are my keys. Very them I-need.

    The verb 'potrzebować' (to need) always requires the genitive case.

  3. Kupiłem kwiaty i dałem im wodę.

    I bought flowers and gave them water.

    Word by Word: I-bought flowers and I-gave them water.

    Uses the dative form 'im' as the flowers are the indirect object (recipient).

  4. Lubię te książki, często o nich myślę.

    I like these books; I often think about them.

    Word by Word: I-like these books, often about them I-think.

    Uses 'nich' (locative) because it follows the preposition 'o' (about).

  5. Czekam na nie przed kinem.

    I am waiting for them (the women) in front of the cinema.

    Word by Word: I-wait for them before cinema.

    Uses 'nie' (accusative) with the 'n-' prefix because it follows the preposition 'na'.

  6. Idę do parku z nimi.

    I am going to the park with them (the dogs/the girls).

    Word by Word: I-go to park with them.

    Uses the instrumental form 'nimi' after the preposition 'z' (with).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ich' for inanimate objects in the Accusative case.

    Mam nowe buty. Widzisz ich?
    Mam nowe buty. Widzisz je?

    In the accusative (direct object), 'ich' is only for male humans. For objects, animals, or women, you must use 'je'.

  • Forgetting the 'n-' prefix after a preposition.

    Czekam na je.
    Czekam na nie.

    Whenever a pronoun follows a preposition, it must take the 'n-' form (nich, nim, nie).

  • Using 'oni' for a group of women or objects.

    Kobiety są tutaj. Oni pracują.
    Kobiety są tutaj. One pracują.

    If the group does not contain at least one man, you must use 'one' and its corresponding forms.

How It Connects

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one / ich / im / nimiLevel 3Non-Masculine-Personal Pronoun Cases

Learn This First

Learn The Seven Cases before Non-Masculine-Personal Pronoun Cases.

Words in This Pattern

one