u + Genitive

U with the Genitive

Level 2

The preposition u is the Polish equivalent of 'at' or 'chez' (French). It is used when you are at a person's home, a professional's office, or when someone has something of yours.

How It Works

The preposition u is a high-frequency word used in several specific contexts:

  • At someone's home: Instead of saying 'in the house of...', Poles say 'u' + the person.
    Example: Jestem u Marka (I am at Marek's).
  • Professional visits: It is the standard way to describe being at a doctor, dentist, or hairdresser.
    Example: Byłem u lekarza (I was at the doctor's).
  • Possession/Keeping: It indicates that an object is currently with a person.
    Example: Twoja książka jest u mnie (I have your book / Your book is with me).
  • Among/In the case of: It can describe customs within a group or characteristics of a species.
    Example: U nas w Polsce (Among us in Poland / In our country).
  • Spatial Fixed Expressions: It is used in specific phrases to mean 'at the base', 'at the edge', or 'at the entrance' of something.
    Example: u podnóża góry (at the foot of the mountain) or u wejścia (at the entrance).

Important Note: u always requires the genitive case. Unlike some other prepositions, it never changes its form (it is always just u).

Examples (5)

  1. Jestem u babci.

    I am at grandma's.

    Word by Word: I-am at grandma.

    The noun 'babcia' changes to the genitive 'babci' after 'u'.

  2. Czy twoje klucze są u mnie?

    Are your keys at my place?

    Word by Word: Whether your keys are at me?

    Uses the genitive form of the pronoun 'ja' (me).

  3. Czekam u dentysty.

    I am waiting at the dentist's.

    Word by Word: I-wait at dentist.

    Standard way to indicate being at a professional's office.

  4. U nas w rodzinie wszyscy lubią gotować.

    In our family, everyone likes to cook.

    Word by Word: At us in family all like to-cook.

    Here 'u' means 'among' or 'within the context of' a group.

  5. Zostawiłem parasol u fryzjera.

    I left my umbrella at the hairdresser's.

    Word by Word: I-left umbrella at hairdresser.

    Indicates the location where the object was left.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'w' (in) for a person's location.

    Jestem w lekarzu.
    Jestem u lekarza.

    'W lekarzu' literally means 'inside the doctor's body.' Use 'u' for people and 'w' for buildings.

  • Confusing location (u) with motion (do).

    Byłem do babci.
    Byłem u babci.

    Use do for 'going to' and 'u' for 'being at'.

  • Using the nominative case after 'u'.

    Jestem u mama.
    Jestem u mamy.

    The preposition 'u' must always be followed by the genitive case.

How It Connects

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

u + GenitiveLevel 2U with the Genitive

Learn This First

Learn Genitive Case before U With The Genitive.

Words in This Pattern

u