ci / te

Plural Demonstratives

Level 3

In Polish, 'these' has two forms: ci (masculine-personal) and te (non-masculine-personal). The choice depends entirely on the gender of the people or things you are pointing to.

How It Works

The demonstrative pronoun ten (this) changes in the plural to reflect the masculine-personal vs. non-masculine-personal distinction.

1. The Masculine-Personal Form: Ci
This form is used for human beings when at least one male is present, as well as male supernatural beings (like gods or angels).

  • Ci lekarze (These doctors)
  • Ci bogowie (These gods)

2. The Non-Masculine-Personal Form: Te
This is the 'default' plural for everything else. It covers:

  • Groups of women: Te kobiety
  • Children: Te dzieci (Note: dziecko is neuter)
  • Animals: Te psy (Even if the dogs are male!)
  • Inanimate objects: Te domy (These houses)

3. The 'To są' Rule
When you are identifying a group (e.g., 'These are my friends'), you must use the invariable to rather than ci or te. Use ci/te only when they act as adjectives modifying a noun directly.

4. Case Changes
While te remains the same in the accusative, the masculine-personal ci changes to tych when it is the direct object of a verb (e.g., Znam tych panów - I know these gentlemen).

Examples (6)

  1. Ci mężczyźni są wysocy.

    These men are tall.

    Word by Word: These men are tall.

    We use 'ci' because 'mężczyźni' (men) is a masculine-personal noun.

  2. To są moi nowi koledzy.

    These are my new colleagues.

    Word by Word: This are my new colleagues.

    In identity sentences (These are...), we use 'to' instead of 'ci' or 'te'.

  3. Widzę tych lekarzy w szpitalu.

    I see these doctors in the hospital.

    Word by Word: I see these doctors in hospital.

    In the accusative case, the masculine-personal form 'ci' changes to 'tych'.

  4. Ci aniołowie mają skrzydła.

    These angels have wings.

    Word by Word: These angels have wings.

    Supernatural beings treated as male persons, like angels or gods, also use the 'ci' form.

  5. Te koty śpią na kanapie.

    These cats are sleeping on the sofa.

    Word by Word: These cats sleep on sofa.

    Animals always take 'te' in the plural, regardless of their biological sex, as they are non-masculine-personal.

  6. Te jabłka są bardzo słodkie.

    These apples are very sweet.

    Word by Word: These apples are very sweet.

    Inanimate objects (like apples) always use 'te'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ci' or 'te' where plain identification needs 'to'.

    Different MeaningCi są moi koledzy.
    To są moi koledzy.

    Ci są moi koledzy is correct when you point out or contrast a group ('these are my colleagues, those are not'). For plain identification ('These are my colleagues'), Polish normally uses the invariable to: To są moi koledzy. With a noun, ci agrees with it: Ci koledzy są mili.

  • Using 'ci' for a group of men in the accusative case.

    Widzę ci panów.
    Widzę tych panów.

    While 'ci' is the nominative form, the masculine-personal accusative requires the form 'tych'. 'Ci' is only for the subject of the sentence.

  • Using 'ci' for male animals or children.

    Ci psy biegają. / Ci dzieci się bawią.
    Te psy biegają. / Te dzieci się bawią.

    'Ci' is only for male humans and personified beings. Animals and children (neuter) always take 'te' in the non-masculine-personal category.

How It Connects

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

ci / teLevel 3Plural Demonstratives

Learn This First

Learn This: Ten, Ta, To, Masculine-Personal Plural, Non-Masculine-Personal Plural before Plural Demonstratives.

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