Adjective in the nominative: ładna dziewczyna

What this table is about: adjective endings in singular

In Polish, an adjective must “match” the noun it describes.

• You change the ending of the adjective, not the noun.
• At A1, focus on singular forms: masculine, feminine, neuter.
• Think: Which gender is the noun? → choose the adjective ending.

Step 1: Identify the noun’s gender (quick check)

• Feminine: very often ends in -a (e.g., dziewczyna, kawa).
• Neuter: often ends in -o or -e (e.g., okno, mieszkanie, zdjęcie).
• Masculine: often ends in a consonant (e.g., pokój, dzień, pomysł, chłopak).

Tip: When you learn a new noun, learn it with an example adjective: dobry pomysł, dobra kawa, dobre zdjęcie.

Step 2: Choose the adjective ending (singular)

The “k / g rule”: when do you use -i and -ie?

If the adjective stem ends in -k or -g, Polish usually uses a “softer” ending:

• Masculine: -i (not -y) → wysoki, długi, drogi
• Neuter: -ie (not -e) → wysokie, długie, drogie

Feminine stays simple: always -a → wysoka, długa, droga.

How to build it in real time (a fast speaking routine)

1. Say the noun (or think of it): okno
2. Check the gender: ends in -o → neuter
3. Pick the ending: neuter → -e (or -ie after k/g)
4. Say the full phrase: wysokie okno

Common mistakes to watch for (self-check)

• Mixing feminine and neuter:
  • ładna zdjęcie → ładne zdjęcie
  • duże kawa → duża kawa
• Forgetting the k/g rule:
  • wysoky chłopak → wysoki chłopak
  • długe okno → długie okno
• Overthinking masculine: many adjectives are -y, but after -k/-g choose -i.

Mini reference: the three forms you will use most

Self-check question: Can you produce all three forms for a new adjective you learn?

• masc: -y / -i
• fem: -a
• neut: -e / -ie