obok + Genitive

Obok with the Genitive

Level 2

The preposition obok is used to describe physical proximity, specifically when things are side-by-side. It always requires the genitive case.

How It Works

The preposition obok is one of the most common ways to express 'next to' or 'beside' in Polish. It implies a side-by-side arrangement or being in the immediate vicinity.

1. Case Government:
It exclusively governs the genitive case. You must use the correct singular or plural endings for the noun and any accompanying adjectives.

2. Usage Nuances:

  • Physical Location: Pies śpi obok łóżka (The dog is sleeping next to the bed).
  • Movement: Even with verbs of motion, the case remains genitive: Przeszedł obok mnie (He walked past/next to me).
  • Figurative: It can mean 'alongside' or 'in addition to' when listing qualities: Obok zalet ma też wady (Alongside advantages, he also has disadvantages).

3. Obok vs. Koło vs. Przy:
While often translated similarly, there are subtle differences:

  • Obok: Specifically 'beside' or 'next to' (side-by-side).
  • Koło: More general 'near' or 'around'.
  • Przy: Usually implies being 'at' something or in contact with it (e.g., sitting at a table).

Examples (5)

  1. Usiądź obok mnie.

    Sit next to me.

    Word by Word: Sit beside me.

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

  2. Samochód stoi obok dużego domu.

    The car is standing next to a big house.

    Word by Word: Car stands beside big house.

    Both the adjective 'dużego' and the noun 'domu' are in the genitive case.

  3. Szkoła jest obok parku.

    The school is next to the park.

    Word by Word: School is beside park.

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

  4. On przeszedł obok nas bez słowa.

    He walked past us without a word.

    Word by Word: He walked beside us without word.

    Even with the motion verb 'przeszedł', 'obok' still requires the genitive 'nas'.

  5. Postaw krzesło obok okna.

    Put the chair next to the window.

    Word by Word: Put chair beside window.

    'Okna' is the genitive form of the neuter noun 'okno'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the accusative case for motion.

    Idę obok dom.
    Idę obok domu.

    Learners often think spatial prepositions switch to the accusative when there is movement (like 'pod' or 'nad'), but 'obok' always stays genitive.

  • Using the instrumental case.

    Stoję obok sklepem.
    Stoję obok sklepu.

    Do not confuse 'obok' with prepositions like 'przed' (in front of) or 'za' (behind), which take the instrumental for location.

How It Connects

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obok + GenitiveLevel 2Obok with the Genitive

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Learn Genitive Case before Obok With The Genitive.

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