wy / was / wam / wami
Second-Person Plural Cases
Wy is the informal plural 'you' (like 'you all' or 'y'all'). It changes its form based on its role in the sentence (cases), but unlike singular pronouns, it has no 'short' forms.
How It Works
The pronoun wy follows the Polish case system. Here are the forms you need to know:
- Wy (Nominative/Vocative): The subject or direct address. Usually omitted because of the -cie verb ending.
- Was (Genitive/Accusative/Locative): Used for negation, direct objects, or after prepositions like dla (for) or o (about).
- Wam (Dative): Used for indirect objects, like 'giving to you' or 'telling you'.
- Wami (Instrumental): Used after prepositions like z (with), między (between), or pod (under).
Usage Notes:
- Politeness: Wy is the standard informal plural. Unlike some other languages, it is never used as a polite way to address a single person; for that, use Pan or Pani. To be polite to a group, use Państwo.
- Capitalization: In written correspondence (like emails or letters), all forms (Wy, Was, Wam, Wami) are always capitalized as a sign of respect.
- Prepositions: Unlike third-person pronouns, these forms never change their spelling after a preposition.
Examples (5)
- Co wy robicie?
What are you (all) doing?
Word by Word: What you doing?
Here 'wy' is the nominative subject. It is included here to add slight emphasis to the question.
- Nie widzę was.
I don't see you (all).
Word by Word: Not I-see you.
'Was' is used here because the verb is negated, requiring the genitive case.
- Daję wam prezent.
I am giving you (all) a gift.
Word by Word: I-give to-you gift.
'Wam' is the dative form, used for the recipient of the action.
- Chcę iść z wami.
I want to go with you (all).
Word by Word: I-want to-go with you.
'Wami' is the instrumental form used after the preposition 'z' (with).
- Czekam na was.
I am waiting for you (all).
Word by Word: I-wait for you.
'Was' is the accusative form required by the preposition 'na' in this context.
Common Mistakes
Using 'wy' for formal address.
Czy wy chcecie kawę, panie profesorze?Czy pan chce kawę, panie profesorze?'Wy' is informal. Using it with a professor or a stranger is considered rude. Use 'Pan/Pani' for individuals or 'Państwo' for groups.
Confusing 'was' (pronoun) with 'wasz' (possessive).
To jest was dom.To jest wasz dom.'Was' means 'you' (object), while 'wasz' means 'your'. 'Wasz' must agree with the noun it describes.
Overusing the subject pronoun 'wy'.
Different MeaningWy idziecie do kina?Idziecie do kina?Because the verb ending '-cie' already means 'you (plural)', including 'wy' is unnecessary unless you are emphasizing the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Learn The Seven Cases before Second-Person Plural Cases.
Related Patterns
- tyInformal Ty
'Wy' is the plural counterpart to the informal singular 'ty'.
Level 1 - PaństwoPolite Państwo
This is the formal way to address a group, whereas 'wy' is strictly informal.
Level 4 - my / nas / nam / namiFirst-Person Plural Cases
The first-person plural pronoun ('we') follows a very similar declension pattern.
Level 2 - mój / twój / nasz / waszPossessive Agreement
Explains how to say 'your' (plural) as an adjective, which is often confused with the pronoun 'was'.
Level 2 - Present Second-Person Plural
The verb endings used when 'wy' is the subject.
Level 1 - Pronouns After Prepositions
Explains how pronouns behave after prepositions; note that 'wy' forms do not change their spelling like third-person pronouns do.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice wy / was / wam / wami in Bubblegum
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