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Questions & Answers about Każdy liść spada jesienią.
Why is każdy used here, and what kind of word is it?
każdy is a pronominal adjective (determiner) meaning every or each. It modifies the noun liść and always takes singular agreement (noun in singular, verb in 3rd person singular).
Why is liść singular instead of plural?
Because każdy refers to individual items one by one, it must be followed by a singular noun. Here liść is in the nominative singular as the subject.
Why is the verb spada in the 3rd person singular?
Verbs in Polish agree with their subject in person and number. Since każdy liść is grammatically singular, the verb appears in 3rd person singular: spada.
What case is jesienią and how does it express “in autumn”?
jesienią is the instrumental singular of jesień (feminine noun). Polish uses the instrumental case (without a preposition) to indicate time when—especially seasons. So jesienią literally means “in autumn.”
Can I say Każdy liść spada w jesieni? Would that be correct?
Yes, w jesieni (with the locative case after w + locative) is grammatically correct, but it’s less idiomatic. Using the instrumental jesienią without a preposition is the more natural way to say “in autumn.”
Why is the present tense used for a repeated yearly event?
The Polish present tense covers general truths and habitual actions. Każdy liść spada jesienią expresses a recurring fact (“leaves fall every autumn”) without needing a special habitual form.
What’s the difference between spadać and opadać when talking about leaves?
• spadać = to fall or drop freely
• opadać = to descend or settle more gently
For falling leaves, spadać is the neutral choice; opadać highlights a slower, drifting descent.
How would I say “all the leaves fall in autumn” instead of “each leaf falls”?
Use the quantifier wszystkie with a plural noun and verb:
Wszystkie liście spadają jesienią
Here wszystkie = all, liście = leaves (nom. pl.), spadają = 3rd person plural.