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Questions & Answers about On ma kota.
Why is kota used instead of kot in this sentence?
In Polish, nouns change their forms depending on grammatical case. Kot is the nominative form, but here we need the accusative form to show the direct object of the verb ma, so it becomes kota.
What does On literally mean?
On is the Polish pronoun for "he." It indicates that the person who has the cat is male.
Is ma the only form of the verb mieć (to have)?
No, ma is the third-person singular present tense form (he/she/it has). Other forms include mam (I have), masz (you have), and so on.
Is it necessary to use On at the start of the sentence?
Polish often omits subject pronouns when the subject is clear, so you might just hear Ma kota, but adding On can help clarify or emphasize "he."
Can the word order be changed?
Yes, Polish word order is quite flexible. You could say Ma kota on, but On ma kota is the most natural and standard order for "He has a cat."