Understanding Numbers in Polish Grammar

Introduction to Polish Numbers
Learning numbers in Polish grammar is essential for effectively communicating in everyday life. Whether it’s shopping, paying bills, or telling the time, a solid grasp of Polish numbers will make navigating these tasks much simpler. This article will extensively cover the rules and patterns associated with numbers in Polish grammar, including cardinal and ordinal numbers and their declensions.

Cardinal Numbers: The Basics

Numbers 0-10
Cardinal numbers are the simplest form of numbers, representing quantity. Let’s begin by learning the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10:

0 – zero
1 – jeden
2 – dwa
3 – trzy
4 – cztery
5 – pięć
6 – sześć
7 – siedem
8 – osiem
9 – dziewięć
10 – dziesięć

Numbers 11-19
The numbers 11-19 can be easily formed by adding “naście” to the base number:

11 – jedenaście
12 – dwanaście
13 – trzynaście
14 – czternaście
15 – piętnaście
16 – szesnaście
17 – siedemnaście
18 – osiemnaście
19 – dziewiętnaście

Higher Cardinal Numbers

Numbers 20-99
For numbers 20-99, the tens digit is followed by the word “dziesiąt” and the unit digit, if necessary:

20 – dwadzieścia
21 – dwadzieścia jeden
22 – dwadzieścia dwa
30 – trzydzieści
44 – czterdzieści cztery

The pattern continues as such for all tens units up to 90:
50 – pięćdziesiąt
60 – sześćdziesiąt
70 – siedemdziesiąt
80 – osiemdziesiąt
90 – dziewięćdziesiąt.

Numbers 100-999
For numbers 100-999, the hundreds digit is followed by the word “sto,” then tens and units digits as needed:

100 – sto
200 – dwieście
300 – trzysta
482 – czterysta osiemdziesiąt dwa
999 – dziewięćset dziewięćdziesiąt dziewięć

Ordinal Numbers in Polish Grammar

Ordinal numbers in Polish indicate numerical order or position and are created by adding specific suffixes, depending on the number:

1st – pierwszy
2nd – drugi
3rd – trzeci
4th – czwarty
5th – piąty

For numbers above 20, ordinal numbers are formed by adding the appropriate suffix to the cardinal number:

21st – dwudziesty pierwszy
49th – czterdzieści dziewiąty

Declension of Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

Both cardinal and ordinal numbers in Polish grammar are declined, following the gender and noun case of the noun they modify. For example, the word for “two” can take on various forms depending on the noun it modifies:

Masculine: dwa domy (two houses)
Feminine: dwie kobiety (two women)
Neuter: dwoje dzieci (two children)

It is essential to remember that forms differ depending on the gender and noun case, and the declension patterns for cardinal and ordinal numbers vary.

In conclusion, understanding numbers in Polish grammar is a vital component of communicating effectively in Polish. By learning cardinal and ordinal numbers and their declensions, you will be able to handle everyday tasks more efficiently and enjoy a richer experience while conversing in Polish.