Lessons

Prepositions of place: na stole, pod łóżkiem

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We use the prepositions of place w, na, przy, pod, nad, za, między, przed to say where something is located.

The key idea: place (no movement) = one of two cases

In these sentences you describe where something is (location), not where it goes.

  • w / na / przy → noun in miejscownik (locative)
  • pod / nad / za / między / przed → noun in narzędnik (instrumental)

Self-check: Can you add “is/are located” in English? If yes → this page’s rule applies.

Locative after w, na, przy (where inside/on/at)

Preposition Typical meaning Correct A1 example Common mistake
w in (inside) Książka jest w torbie. w torba
na on (surface), also “at” some places Kawa stoi na stole. na stół
przy by/next to (very close) Krzesło stoi przy biurku. przy biurko

What to pay attention to: after w/na/przy the noun changes form. You learn it as a pair: na stole, w torbie, przy biurku.

Instrumental after pod, nad, za, między, przed (where under/above/behind/between/in front of)

Preposition Meaning Correct A1 example Common mistake
pod under Kot śpi pod łóżkiem. pod łóżko
nad above / over Samolot leci nad miastem. nad miasto
za behind Kurtka wisi za drzwiami. za drzwi
między between Ławka stoi między drzewami. między drzewa
przed in front of Samochód stoi przed domem. przed dom

Mini “ending radar”: what changes should you notice?

You don’t need all case theory yet. At A1, notice these very frequent patterns:

  • -e / -ie often appears in the locative: w torbie, w kuchni.
  • -u is very common in the locative after na/przy: na stole, przy biurku.
  • -em / -iem is very common in the instrumental: pod łóżkiem, przed domem, nad miastem.
  • Plural instrumental often ends in -ami: za drzwiami, między drzewami.

Good strategy: learn location phrases as “chunks” (preposition + noun form), not as isolated nouns.

A1 decision path: which preposition + which case?

  1. Am I describing a location (no movement)? → yes.
  2. Which relation?
    • inside → w + locative
    • on (surface) → na + locative
    • right next to → przy + locative
    • under/above/behind/between/in front of → pod/nad/za/między/przed + instrumental
  3. Change the noun form (don’t leave it in the dictionary form).

Quick self-check (spot the case)

  • ✅ Laptop jest na biurku. (locative after na)
  • ✅ Klucze są w kieszeni. (locative after w)
  • ✅ Kot śpi pod łóżkiem. (instrumental after pod)
  • ✅ Ławka jest między dwoma drzewami. (instrumental after między)

If you’re unsure: ask “Where is it?” (not “Where to?”). Then pick the preposition, then adjust the noun ending.

  1. The locative and instrumental case is used when there is no movement.
Przyimek (Preposition)Przypadek rzeczownika po przyimku (Noun case after the preposition)Przykład zdania (Example sentence)
w (in)miejscownik (locative)Książka jest w torbie. (The book is in the bag.)
na (on)miejscownik (locative)Kawa stoi na stole. (The coffee is on the table.)
przy (by / next to)miejscownik (locative)Krzesło stoi przy biurku. (The chair is next to the desk.)
pod (under)narzędnik (instrumental)Kot śpi pod łóżkiem. (The cat is sleeping under the bed.)
nad (above / over)narzędnik (instrumental) leci nad miastem. ( is flying over the city.)
za (behind)narzędnik (instrumental)Kurtka wisi za drzwiami. (The jacket is hanging behind the door.)
między (between)narzędnik (instrumental)Ławka stoi między drzewami. (The bench is between the trees.)
przed (in front of)narzędnik (instrumental)Samochód stoi przed domem. (The car is in front of the house.)

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Kawa stoi ___ w kuchni. Kawa stoi na stole w kuchni.

Coffee is ___ in the kitchen.

2. Dywan jest ___ w sypialni. Dywan jest pod łóżkiem w sypialni.

The carpet is ___ in the bedroom.

3. Lampa stoi ___ w salonie. Lampa stoi przy biurku w salonie.

The lamp is standing ___ in the living room.

4. Szafa jest ___ a drzwiami. Szafa jest między oknem a drzwiami.

The wardrobe is ___ and the door.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences using the given preposition of place and the correct form of the noun (locative after: w / na / przy; instrumental after: pod / nad / za / między / przed).

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  1. (na) Laptop jest ____ biurko.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Laptop jest na biurku.
    (The laptop is on the desk.)
  2. (na) Torba jest ____ krzesło.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Torba jest na krześle.
    (The bag is on the chair.)
  3. (w) Klucze są ____ kieszeń.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Klucze są w kieszeni.
    (The keys are in the pocket.)
  4. (przed) Auto stoi ____ dom.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Auto stoi przed domem.
    (The car is in front of the house.)
  5. (pod) Kot śpi ____ łóżko.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Kot śpi pod łóżkiem.
    (The cat is sleeping under the bed.)
  6. (między) Ławka jest ____ dwa drzewa.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Ławka jest między dwoma drzewami.
    (The bench is between two trees.)

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Joanna Majchrowska

Master of Spanish Philology

University of Lodz

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Last Updated:

Monday, 07/09/2026 17:51