Learn how to politely ask someone to pass objects in Polish using the verb "podać" and the accusative case, with key words like łyżkę (spoon), talerz (plate), and sól (salt). Practice forms for masculine and feminine nouns to master everyday requests.
  1. After the verb "podać" we use the noun in the accusative case.
  2. Inanimate masculine nouns do not change form in the accusative case.
Podać (to pass)Rodzaj (gender)Mianownik (Nominative)Biernik (Accusative)
Proszę, podaj mi (Please, pass me)męski (masculine)kubek, talerz, nóż, widelec, sól, pieprz (mug, plate, knife, fork, salt, pepper)kubek, talerz, nóż, widelec, sól, pieprz (mug, plate, knife, fork, salt, pepper)
żeński (feminine)szklanka, filiżanka, miska, łyżka, serwetka (glass, cup, bowl, spoon, napkin)szklankę, filiżankę, miskę, łyżkę, serwetkę (glass, cup, bowl, spoon, napkin)

Exercise 1: Podawanie przedmiotów: Proszę, podaj mi łyżkę

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

patelnię, obrus, serwetkę, noż, łyżkę, talerz, dzbanek, widelec

1. Serwetka:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi serwetkę.)
2. Łyżka:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi łyżkę.)
3. Nóż:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi noż.)
4. Patelnia:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi patelnię.)
5. Obrus:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi obrus.)
6. Talerz:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi talerz.)
7. Dzbanek:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi dzbanek.)
8. Widelec:
Proszę, podaj mi ....
(Proszę, podaj mi widelec.)

Exercise 2: Dialogue completion

Instruction: Complete the dialogue with the correct solution

1. Anna: Proszę, podaj mi ___, chcę nałożyć zupę do miski.

(Anna: Please pass me a ___, I want to serve the soup into the bowl.)

2. Marek: Podaję ci łyżkę. A czy potrzebujesz też ___?

(Marek: I’m giving you a spoon. Do you also need a ___?)

3. Anna: Tak, proszę podaj mi ten ___ i też widelec do sałatki.

(Anna: Yes, please pass me that ___ and also a fork for the salad.)

4. Marek: Podaję talerz i widelec. Czy mam jeszcze podać ___ i pieprz?

(Marek: I’m giving you the plate and fork. Should I also pass ___ and pepper?)

5. Anna: Tak, podaj mi ___ i pieprz, żeby każdy mógł doprawić według siebie.

(Anna: Yes, pass me ___ and pepper so everyone can season their food as they like.)

6. Marek: W porządku, wszystko podaję. Teraz możesz zacząć nakrywać do ___.

(Marek: Alright, I’m passing everything. Now you can start setting the ___.)

Giving Objects in Polish: "Proszę, podaj mi łyżkę"

This lesson focuses on how to politely ask someone to pass you an object in Polish using the verb podać (to give/pass). It is designed for beginners (A1 level) who are learning basic everyday interactions related to requesting and handing over items.

Key Grammar: Using the Verb podać with the Accusative Case

To formulate a request like "Please pass me the spoon," you use the verb podać followed by a noun in the accusative case (biernik), which is used for direct objects.

Important to note:

  • After the verb podać, always use the accusative case of the noun.
  • Masculine inanimate nouns do not change in the accusative case (they look like the nominative).
  • Feminine nouns usually change the ending to in the accusative.

Examples of Common Objects

PhraseGenderNominative (Mianownik)Accusative (Biernik)
Proszę, podaj miMasculinekubek, talerz, nóż, widelec, sól, pieprzkubek, talerz, nóż, widelec, sól, pieprz
Feminineszklanka, filiżanka, miska, łyżka, serwetkaszklankę, filiżankę, miskę, łyżkę, serwetkę

Practical Phrases and Vocabulary

  • Proszę, podaj mi łyżkę. – Please pass me the spoon.
  • Podaję ci łyżkę. – I am passing you the spoon.
  • Potrzebujesz też talerz? – Do you also need a plate?
  • Podaję talerz i widelec. – I am passing the plate and fork.

Differences Compared to English

In English, word order and prepositions usually indicate giving and receiving actions without changing the form of the noun. In Polish, however, the noun following certain verbs like podać must appear in the accusative case, which often means changing its ending. Moreover, masculine inanimate nouns keep the same form for nominative and accusative, which differs from English where nouns stay uninflected. Understanding these subtle changes will help you use requests politely and accurately.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Joanna Majchrowska

Master of Spanish Philology

University of Lodz

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Poland


Last Updated:

Sunday, 16/11/2025 19:25