ísť za + Instrumental
Going to See Someone
Ísť za + instrumental names the person you are going to see or the thing you are going after: Idem za kamarátom (I'm going to see a friend), Išiel za prácou (He went for work).
How It Works
Going to see someone. The usual way to say go and see someone is go after someone, with za and the instrumental:
- Idem za kamarátom. I'm going to see a friend.
- Zajtra ideme za babkou. Tomorrow we're going to see Grandma.
- Príď za mnou po škole. Come and see me after school.
Pronouns use their instrumental forms: za mnou, za tebou, za ním, za ňou, za nami (see pronouns after prepositions).
Going after something. With a thing, za names what you want to get: Išiel za prácou do Nemecka. (He went to Germany for work.) Choď za svojím snom. (Follow your dream.)
Following. The same words can mean going behind someone who moves: Pes išiel za nami. (The dog followed us.) Context tells you which meaning is meant.
Compare other patterns. K with the dative points to a person or place as a destination: idem k lekárovi (I'm going to the doctor's). Za with the accusative has other meanings: ísť za dom is going behind the house, and za týždeň means in a week.
Examples (6)
- Idem za kamarátom.
I'm going to see a friend.
Word by Word: I-go after friend.
- Zajtra ideme za babkou.
Tomorrow we're going to see Grandma.
Word by Word: Tomorrow we-go after grandma.
- Išiel za prácou do Nemecka.
He went to Germany for work.
Word by Word: He-went after work to Germany.
Za names what he went to get.
- Príď za mnou po škole.
Come and see me after school.
Word by Word: Come after me after school.
Mnou is the instrumental form of ja.
- Choď za pani učiteľkou, ona ti poradí.
Go and see the teacher, she'll give you advice.
Word by Word: Go after Mrs teacher, she you will-advise.
Pani does not change; učiteľka becomes učiteľkou.
- Pes išiel celý čas za nami.
The dog followed us the whole time.
Word by Word: Dog went whole time after us.
Here za means following.
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative after za.
Idem za kamaráta.Idem za kamarátom.Going to see someone takes the instrumental. Za kamaráta with the accusative means for or instead of a friend.
Leaving the name in the nominative.
Večer idem za Peter.Večer idem za Petrom.The person after za must be in the instrumental. Peter also drops its e: Petrom.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Going To See Someone, learn Going With ísť and Instrumental Singular Endings. ísť za uses the forms of ísť. za in this meaning takes the instrumental.
Related Patterns
- Pronouns After s and o
Gives the forms in za mnou, za tebou and za ním.
Level 2 - nad / pod / pred / za / medzi + InstrumentalAbove, Under, In Front, Behind and Between
Za with the instrumental also means behind a place.
Level 3 - za + AccusativeIn, For and Thanks for: Za
Za with the accusative has different meanings, such as for, in and behind with movement.
Level 2 - k / ku + DativeToward: K and Ku
K with the dative names a destination, as in idem k lekárovi.
Level 2 - ísť + InfinitiveGoing to Do Something
Another way to say why you are going.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice ísť za + Instrumental in Bubblegum
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