Present Third-Person Singular

Level 1

The third-person singular is the 'base' form for describing others or speaking politely. It usually ends in a vowel: -a, -i, -y, or -e.

How It Works

The third-person singular is a fundamental form in the present tense because it clearly showcases the thematic vowel of the verb group. Unlike the first or second person, it does not add a specific consonant ending, ending instead with the vowel itself.

Conjugation Groups:

  • Group 1 (-am/-asz): Ends in -a.
    Example: czytać (to read) → on czyta (he reads).
  • Group 2 (-ę/-isz or -ę/-ysz): Ends in -i or -y.
    Example: robić (to do) → ona robi (she does); uczyć (to teach) → on uczy (he teaches).
  • Group 3 (-ę/-esz): Ends in -e. Note that the stem may change from the infinitive.
    Example: pisać (to write) → on pisze (he writes).

Common Irregular Forms:
Some of the most frequent verbs have unique third-person forms that you should learn early on:

  • być (to be) → on/ona/ono jest
  • mieć (to have) → on/ona/ono ma

The 'Formal You':
This form is essential for polite conversation. Instead of using the informal ty, you use the third-person verb with the titles Pan (to a man) or Pani (to a woman).
Example: Co Pan robi? (What are you [Sir] doing?).

Examples (5)

  1. On czyta książkę.

    He is reading a book.

    Word by Word: He reads book.

    A standard Group 1 verb ending in -a.

  2. Ona pije kawę.

    She is drinking coffee.

    Word by Word: She drinks coffee.

    A Group 3 verb ending in -e.

  3. Czy Pani rozumie?

    Do you (Ma'am) understand?

    Word by Word: Whether Ma'am understands?

    Using the third-person singular for formal address.

  4. Dziecko śpi teraz.

    The child is sleeping now.

    Word by Word: Child sleeps now.

    The third-person singular is used for neuter subjects like 'dziecko' (it).

  5. On nie robi zakupów.

    He is not doing the shopping.

    Word by Word: He not does shopping.

    Negative sentences still use the same third-person form.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the singular ending with the plural nasal vowel -ą.

    On piszą list.
    On pisze list.

    The ending -ą is for 'they' (plural). The singular 'he/she' form ends in a plain vowel like -e or -a.

  • Using the 'ty' form with Pan or Pani.

    Czy Pan rozumiesz?
    Czy Pan rozumie?

    When using formal titles like Pan/Pani, you must use the third-person singular, not the second-person 'ty' form.

  • Mixing up the thematic vowels between conjugation groups.

    On robie.
    On robi.

    Verbs from the -ę/-isz group (Group 2) must end in -i or -y, not -e.

How It Connects

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

Present Third-Person SingularLevel 1

Learn This First

Learn Present Tense before Present Third-Person Singular.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.