Where are you from?
Skąd jesteś?
- Ask somebody where they are from
- Say your nationality
In this A1 lesson, learn to ask and answer Sk05d jeste5b? (Where are you from?) and use phrases like Jestem z Polski (I am from Poland), alongside key vocabulary for countries and nationalities such as Polska (Poland) and Polak (Pole).
Vocabulary (1) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Divide the following words into two groups: "Places of origin" and "Nationalities" to help remember them.
Miejsca pochodzenia
Narodowości
Ćwiczenie 4: Conversation exercise
Instrukcja:
- Describe the nationality of each person. (Describe the nationality of each person.)
- Say where do they currently live. (Say where do they currently live.)
- Tell where you live. (Tell where you live.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Eero jest z Francji. Eero is from France. |
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Ola pochodzi z Polski i mieszka w Londynie. Ola comes from Poland and she lives in London. |
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Maria jest Hiszpanką. Maria is Spanish. |
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Jan pochodzi z Holandii. Jan is from the Netherlands. |
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Skąd jesteś? Where are you from? |
|
Gdzie mieszkasz? Where do you live? |
| ... |
Exercise 5: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 6: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Cześć! ___ Anna.
(Hi! ___ Anna.)2. Skąd ___?
(Where ___?)3. ___ z Polski.
(___ from Poland.)4. On ___ moim przyjacielem.
(He ___ my friend.)Exercise 7: Where are you from?
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Być - To be
Czas teraźniejszy
- ja jestem
- ty jesteś
- on/ona/ono jest
- my jesteśmy
- wy jesteście
- oni/one są
Mieszkać - To live
Czas teraźniejszy
- ja mieszkam
- ty mieszkasz
- on/ona/ono mieszka
- my mieszkamy
- wy mieszkacie
- oni/one mieszkają
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Lesson Overview: Asking and Talking About Origins
This lesson introduces you to essential phrases and vocabulary for discussing where you and others come from, focusing on basic questions about origin and nationality. It covers the use of the verb być (to be) in present tense, common place names, nationality words, and simple dialogues for everyday situations.
Key Phrases and Sentences
- Skąd jesteś? — Where are you from?
- Jestem z Polski. — I am from Poland.
- On jest z Niemiec. — He is from Germany.
- Czy jesteś Francuzem? — Are you French?
- My jesteśmy z Warszawy. — We are from Warsaw.
Places of Origin and Nationalities
It is important to distinguish between miejsca pochodzenia (places of origin) and narodowości (nationalities). Here are some examples:
- Places: Polska (Poland), Niemcy (Germany), Francja (France), Włochy (Italy), Hiszpania (Spain)
- Nationalities: Polak (Polish man), Niemiec (German man), Francuz (French man)
Note that nationality words often have gender variants and different endings compared to country names.
Dialogues for Practice
Practice real-life conversations where you ask about someone's origin and respond, using:
- "Cześć, skąd jesteś?" (Hi, where are you from?)
- "Jestem z Polski. A ty?" (I am from Poland. And you?)
- "Jestem Niemcem." (I am German.)
Situations include casual meetings, work settings, and university introductions.
Verb Focus: The Present Tense of "Być" and Basic Conjugation
The verb być (to be) is crucial for forming these sentences:
- ja jestem (I am)
- ty jesteś (you are)
- on/ona/ono jest (he/she/it is)
- my jesteśmy (we are)
- wy jesteście (you plural are)
- oni/one są (they are)
Practice filling in these forms in context to strengthen your grammar.
Short Story for Contextual Learning
Use the short story about meeting a new colleague to see vocabulary and verbs in action, helping solidify your understanding of everyday interactions:
W firmie nowy kolega pyta mnie o pochodzenie. Ja jestem z Niemiec, ale teraz mieszkam w Warszawie...
Notes on Language Differences and Useful Phrases
Unlike English, Polish uses specific endings for nationalities, and the question "Skąd jesteś?" is a direct way to ask "Where are you from?" which is very common in informal settings. The verb "być" is irregular and essential to master for basic communication.
Useful words and phrases include:
- Skąd — from where
- Jestem — I am
- Z — from (used with place names)
- Czy — an interrogative particle used for yes/no questions
- Polak, Niemiec, Francuz — Polish man, German man, French man (nationality nouns)
Understanding these basics will help you confidently introduce yourself and ask others about their origins in Polish.
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