być

The Verb Być

Level 1

Polish uses 'być' to say 'I am', 'you are', etc. While generally mandatory, it is often replaced by 'to' in simple identity sentences. It has irregular forms for every person.

How It Works

The verb być is highly irregular and essential for basic communication.

1. Present Tense Conjugation:

  • Ja jestem (I am)
  • Ty jesteś (You are - informal)
  • On/Ona/Ono jest (He/She/It is)
  • Pan/Pani jest (You are - formal singular)
  • My jesteśmy (We are)
  • Wy jesteście (You all are)
  • Oni są (They are - masculine-personal)
  • One są (They are - non-masculine-personal)
  • Państwo są (You are - formal plural)
  • Panowie są (You gentlemen are)
  • Panie są (You ladies are)

Note: Polish subject pronouns (ja, ty, my, etc.) are usually dropped because the verb ending already indicates the subject. Use them only for emphasis or contrast. See Leaving Out Subject Pronouns.

2. Identity and Characteristics:

  • Identity: Use Identity With The Instrumental for roles and professions. If you add an adjective to describe that noun, the adjective must also be in the Instrumental case. Example: On jest dobrym kucharzem (He is a good cook).
  • Characteristics: Use Nominative Adjective Agreement for descriptions without a noun. Example: Jestem głodny (I am hungry).
  • Negation: To negate these, simply put nie before the verb. Example: On nie jest kucharzem (He is not a cook).

3. Identity with 'To':
A common shortcut for identity is To + Nominative or To jest + Nominative. It is important to contrast this with regular identity sentences: On jest moim bratem (He is my brother - Instrumental) vs. To jest mój brat (This is my brother - Nominative). See Identity Sentences With To.

4. Existence and Negation:
To say 'there is' or 'is located at', use jest (singular) or są (plural).
Example: Kawa jest na stole (The coffee is on the table).

CRITICAL: When saying something does not exist (there is no...), 'jest' changes to nie ma and requires the Genitive Case. Example: Nie ma kawy (There is no coffee). Do not use 'nie ma' for people's identities, but you CAN use it to express a person's absence (e.g., Nie ma Piotra = Piotr is not here).

5. Past and Future Tenses:
The past tense of być is completely regular (using the stem był- and standard past-tense endings), but the future forms are highly irregular. The future tense is especially important because it acts as a mandatory auxiliary (helping verb) to form the future tense of other imperfective verbs. See Future Forms Of Być.

Examples (5)

  1. Jestem bardzo głodny.

    I am very hungry.

    Word by Word: Am very hungry.

    The subject 'Ja' (I) is omitted. The adjective 'głodny' stays in the nominative case.

  2. Czy jesteś w domu?

    Are you at home?

    Word by Word: Whether are [you] in home?

    Uses the 2nd person singular 'jesteś' for an informal question.

  3. Mój brat jest inżynierem.

    My brother is an engineer.

    Word by Word: My brother is engineer [instrumental].

    When 'być' links a subject to a noun (profession), the noun must be in the instrumental case.

  4. Oni są w biurze.

    They are in the office.

    Word by Word: They are in office.

    Uses the 3rd person plural form 'są'.

  5. Jesteśmy zmęczeni.

    We are tired.

    Word by Word: Are [we] tired.

    Uses the 1st person plural 'jesteśmy'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'nie ma' to negate personal identity or characteristics.

    Marek nie ma lekarzem.
    Marek nie jest lekarzem.

    Use 'nie ma' only for non-existence (there is no...). For identity and descriptions, simply place 'nie' before the conjugated form of 'być'.

  • Omitting the verb 'być' in the present tense.

    Ja student.
    Jestem studentem.

    Unlike Russian, Polish requires the verb 'to be' in the present tense. You can drop the pronoun 'Ja', but you cannot drop 'jestem'.

  • Using the Nominative case for nouns of identity.

    Marek jest lekarz.
    Marek jest lekarzem.

    When 'być' is used with a noun to define someone's role or identity, that noun must change to the Instrumental case.

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byćLevel 1The Verb Być

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