Conjugation of verbs in the present tense: pracuję, mówisz, pyta

What this table shows: 5 common verb patterns in the present tense

Polish verbs change their ending depending on who does the action (I/you/he…)

This table groups verbs by a very practical clue: the endings in ja (I) and ty (you).

Step-by-step: how to conjugate a new verb (A1 method)

1. Start with “ja” and “ty”. Learn these two forms first.

   pracuję → pracujesz (so you know it is Group I)

2. Match the verb to a group by its endings:

   • -ę / -esz → Group I
   • -ę / -isz → Group IIa
   • -ę / -ysz → Group IIb
   • -am / -asz → Group III
   • -em / -esz → Group IV

3. Then build the rest using the same pattern (my/wy/oni-one endings).

Endings you should notice (the ones that matter most in conversation)

These are the forms you will hear constantly in real life:

Polite “you” in Polish: why the table helps you

• In professional situations you often use pan (sir) / pani (ma’am) or państwo (ladies & gentlemen / you plural).

• Grammar point: pan/pani + verb = 3rd person singular (like “he/she”).

  pan mówi, pani pracuje (not pan mówisz, not pani pracujesz)

• państwo + verb = 3rd person plural (like “they”).

  państwo uczą się (not państwo uczycie się in this polite meaning)

“się” verbs (reflexive): where “się” goes

• się stays with the verb, but it is a separate word.

• Most common position: after the verb.

  Uczę się polskiego. / Uczysz się w domu.

• Very common in questions: czy + subject + verb + się

  Czy pan uczy się polskiego?

Fast self-check: choose the right form in 3 seconds

1. Who is the subject? ja/ty/on/ona/my/wy/oni-one (or pan/pani/państwo)

2. Which group is the verb? Check the “ja” and “ty” key endings.

3. Say the ending out loud. If it sounds like the table, you are probably right.

Mini test: “pani” → use on/ona form: pani pyta, pani je, pani mówi.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Mixing ty and pan/pani forms

  Correct: Ty pracujesz. / Pani pracuje.

• Forgetting “się” with reflexive verbs

  Correct: Oni uczą się. Not: Oni uczą.

• Thinking “oni/one” changes the meaning

  It is just gender: oni (mixed/men), one (all women/things). The verb form is the same here: pracują, mówią, uczą się.