Przepraszam, ale ja czasami jem obiad późno.

Sorry, but I sometimes eat dinner late.

Breakdown of Przepraszam, ale ja czasami jem obiad późno.

• ja: I
• obiad: the dinner
• przepraszam: sorry
• ale: but
• czasami: sometimes
• jeść: to eat
• późno: late

Questions & Answers about Przepraszam, ale ja czasami jem obiad późno.

Why is the subject pronoun ja included even though the verb jem already indicates the first person?

In Polish, subject pronouns are optional because the verb conjugation already shows who is acting. Here, ja is used to add emphasis or clarity—it can stress that it is I (and not someone else) who sometimes eats dinner late.

What is the function and typical placement of the adverb czasami in this sentence?

Czasami means sometimes and it is placed right before the verb jem to clearly modify it. In Polish, adverbs of frequency are commonly positioned before the conjugated verb, which helps indicate that the action happens only occasionally. Though Polish word order is flexible, this structure is clear and easy for beginners to understand.

How is the noun obiad used in this sentence, and what case does it represent?

Obiad refers to the main meal (often translated as dinner). In this sentence, it is the direct object of the verb jem. Because obiad is a masculine inanimate noun, its accusative form is identical to its nominative, so no change is visible in its form.

What role does the conjunction ale play in the sentence?

The word ale translates as but in English. It is used here to introduce a contrast between the speaker’s apology (Przepraszam) and the explanation that follows. This contrast often serves to soften the statement or preempt any misunderstanding about habitual behavior.

Why is Przepraszam placed at the beginning of the sentence, and why is it followed by a comma?

Przepraszam means I'm sorry or excuse me. Placing it at the beginning and separating it with a comma functions like an introductory remark, setting a polite or apologetic tone before the main statement. This structure emphasizes the speaker’s regret or politeness regarding what is stated afterward.

Is the word order in this sentence fixed, or could it be rearranged without changing the meaning?

Polish has a flexible word order due to its use of cases, meaning that while the standard Subject-Verb-Object order (with elements like czasami before the verb) is common and clear, rearrangements are possible. However, for beginners, using this straightforward order helps ensure that the intended meaning remains unambiguous.