przeciwko + Dative

Przeciwko with the Dative

Level 3

Use przeciwko (or the shorter przeciw) when you are 'against' something in an abstract or competitive sense. It is one of the few prepositions that exclusively governs the dative case.

How It Works

The preposition przeciwko is the standard way to express opposition in Polish.

1. Case Requirement
It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or adjective in the dative case. For example, 'rząd' (government) becomes 'rządowi' after przeciwko.

2. Przeciwko vs. Przeciw

  • Przeciwko: The most common form in modern spoken and written Polish.
  • Przeciw: A shorter, more formal variant often found in legal texts, literature, or compound words like przeciwciała (antibodies).

3. Abstract vs. Physical
Use przeciwko for:

  • Voting or arguing against an idea.
  • Playing against a team in sports.
  • Fighting against an enemy.
  • Medicine against a specific ailment.

Do not use it for physical contact. To say you are leaning against a wall, use o + accusative (opierać się o ścianę).

4. Pronoun Usage
When using personal pronouns, ensure you use the dative form: przeciwko mnie (against me), przeciwko tobie (against you), przeciwko niemu (against him).

Examples (5)

  1. Głosowałem przeciwko temu projektowi.

    I voted against this project.

    Word by Word: I voted against this project (dative).

    The noun 'projekt' and the demonstrative 'ten' are both in the dative case after 'przeciwko'.

  2. Nie mam nic przeciwko tobie.

    I have nothing against you.

    Word by Word: Not I have nothing against you (dative).

    This is a common idiom meaning 'I don't mind you' or 'I have no objection to you'.

  3. Nasza drużyna gra przeciwko mistrzom.

    Our team is playing against the champions.

    Word by Word: Our team plays against champions (dative).

    In sports and competitions, 'przeciwko' is the standard preposition for the opposing side.

  4. To jest skuteczny lek przeciwko bólowi.

    This is an effective medicine against pain.

    Word by Word: This is effective medicine against pain (dative).

    Medical contexts often use 'przeciwko' to describe what a drug treats.

  5. Wszyscy byli przeciwko mnie.

    Everyone was against me.

    Word by Word: All were against me (dative).

    Uses the dative form of the first-person pronoun 'ja'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Genitive case instead of the Dative.

    Jestem przeciwko rządu.
    Jestem przeciwko rządowi.

    Many Polish prepositions take the genitive, but 'przeciwko' is a strict dative-governing preposition.

  • Using 'przeciwko' for physical contact (leaning).

    On stoi przeciwko ścianie.
    On stoi przy ścianie.

    'Przeciwko' implies opposition or conflict. For physical proximity or leaning, use 'przy' or 'o'.

  • Confusing 'przeciwko' with 'naprzeciwko'.

    Mieszkam przeciwko kina.
    Mieszkam naprzeciwko kina.

    'Naprzeciwko' means 'opposite' or 'across from' (spatial). 'Przeciwko' means 'against' (opposition).

How It Connects

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

przeciwko + DativeLevel 3Przeciwko with the Dative

Learn This First

Learn Dative Case before Przeciwko With The Dative.

Words in This Pattern

przeciwko