preňho / naňho / zaňho
Contracted Pronoun Forms
For a man: pre neho = preňho (also preň, less common). For a thing, an animal or a neuter noun: only preň. The same holds for na, za, do, o and po: naňho / naň, zaňho / zaň, doňho / doň, oňho / oň, poňho / poň.
How It Works
Three kinds of forms. The pronoun on has long forms (jeho, neho, jemu, nemu), short forms (ho, mu) and, after a preposition in the genitive and accusative singular, contracted forms written together with the preposition: -ňho and -ň. See also pronouns after prepositions.
- pre neho / preňho / preň: for him
- na neho / naňho / naň: at him, onto him, for him (čakať na)
- za neho / zaňho / zaň: for him, instead of him, behind him
- do neho / doňho / doň: into him (zaľúbiť sa do)
- o neho / oňho / oň: about him (starať sa o)
The animacy rule. According to the Ľ. Štúr Institute, for a male person all three forms are standard: čakám na neho / naňho / naň, though naň is rare. For an inanimate thing, an animal, or a neuter noun, only the shortest form -ň is used: Kúpil som nový bicykel a už sa naň teším. This follows the animate and inanimate split of masculine nouns.
Spelling. Write the contracted form as one word: preňho, not pre ňho. The long form stays separate: pre neho.
Not for her or them. Feminine and plural pronouns have no contracted forms: na ňu, pre nich.
Examples (6)
- Ten darček je preňho.
That present is for him.
Word by Word: That present is for-him.
- Čakám naňho už pol hodiny.
I have been waiting for him for half an hour already.
Word by Word: I-wait on-him already half hour.
- Brat nemohol prísť, tak som to podpísal zaňho.
My brother could not come, so I signed it for him.
Word by Word: Brother could-not come, so I-have it signed for-him.
Za here means instead of, on his behalf.
- Zaľúbila sa doňho na prvý pohľad.
She fell in love with him at first sight.
Word by Word: She-fell-in-love self into-him at first sight.
- Kúpil som si nový bicykel a veľmi sa naň teším.
I bought a new bike and I am really looking forward to it.
Word by Word: I-bought self new bike and very self on-it look-forward.
Bicykel is inanimate, so only naň is possible.
- Kto sa oňho postará, keď budeme preč?
Who will look after him while we are away?
Word by Word: Who self about-him will-take-care, when we-will-be away?
Common Mistakes
Using -ňho for a thing.
Kúpil som stôl a položil som naňho vázu.Kúpil som stôl a položil som naň vázu.Stôl is inanimate. For things, animals and neuter nouns, only the short form naň is standard.
Writing the contracted form as two words.
Tento list je pre ňho.Tento list je preňho.The contracted form is written together with the preposition. The long form pre neho is written separately.
Using naňho for a woman.
Mama mešká, čakám naňho.Mama mešká, čakám na ňu.Naňho replaces only a masculine noun. For a woman, use na ňu.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Contracted Pronoun Forms, learn Pronouns After Prepositions. preňho, naňho and zaňho are contracted pronoun forms after prepositions.
Related Patterns
- Long and Short Pronoun Forms
The long and short pronoun forms that the contracted forms complete.
Level 3 - Animate and Inanimate Masculine Nouns
Animacy decides between naňho and naň.
Level 1 - Object Pronouns
Most contracted forms are accusative pronouns after na, pre, za, o.
Level 2 - pre + AccusativeFor: Pre
Pre takes the accusative, giving pre neho and preňho.
Level 2 - za + AccusativeIn, For and Thanks for: Za
Za with the accusative gives zaňho: instead of him, for him.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice preňho / naňho / zaňho in Bubblegum
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