1. We use the instrumental case when we say what someone's profession is or what nationality they have.
  2. The instrumental case occurs after the preposition “z” when we say with whom or with what we are, go, talk, etc.
  3. We use it to specify a tool or means of transport, that is what we use to do something or how we move.
  4. Masculine nouns have the ending -em, feminine nouns -ą.
  5. Neuter nouns ending in -o or -e have the instrumental ending -em.
  6. In the plural, there are two endings: -ami for non-masculine-person nouns and -mi for masculine-person nouns.

Odmiana rzeczowników: mianownik → narzędnik (Declension of nouns: nominative → instrumental)

mianownik (kto? co?) (nominative (who? what?))narzędnik (z kim? z czym?) (instrumental case (with whom? with what?))
nauczyciel (teacher)(jestem) nauczycielem ((I am) a teacher)
kelnerka (waitress)(jestem) kelnerką ((I am) a waitress)
lekarz (doctor)(jestem) lekarzem ((I am) a doctor)
kucharz (cook)(jestem) kucharzem ((I am) a cook)
studentka ((I am) studentką)(jestem) studentką ((I am) a student)
policjantka (policewoman)(jestem) policjantką ((I am) a policewoman)
dentysta (dentist)(jestem) dentystą ((I am) a dentist)

Exceptions!

  1. Masculine nouns ending in -a (e.g. kolega, dentysta) are declined like feminine nouns and take the ending -ą, e.g. kolegą, dentystą.

Exercise 1: Rzeczowniki w narzędniku

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

dentystą, prawnikiem, kelnerką, policjantem, kucharzem, kierowcą, dziennikarką, lekarzem

1.
Mój zawód to lekarz. Jestem ....
(My profession is a doctor. I am a doctor.)
2.
Mój zawód to prawnik. Jestem ....
(My profession is a lawyer. I am a lawyer.)
3.
Mój zawód to dentysta. Jestem ....
(My profession is a dentist. I am a dentist.)
4.
Mój zawód to kierowca. Jestem ....
(My profession is a driver. I am a driver.)
5.
Mój zawód to kucharz. Jestem ....
(My profession is a cook. I am a cook.)
6.
Mój zawód to kelnerka. Jestem ....
(My profession is a waitress. I am a waitress.)
7.
Mój zawód to dziennikarka. Jestem ....
(My profession is a journalist. I am a journalist.)
8.
Mój zawód to policjant. Jestem ....
(My profession is a police officer. I am a police officer.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

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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:

Wednesday, 15/10/2025 10:45