Learn Hardcore Polish: Samolot odlatuje o szóstej, więc musimy być na lotnisku wcześniej. - The plane departs at six, so we must be at the airport earlier.

In Polish, times are expressed using the preposition o plus the locative case. Here szósta (“six”) becomes szóstej in the locative because o requires that case.

Why is there no article (the/a) before samolot?

Polish does not use definite or indefinite articles. Context shows whether samolot means “the plane” or “a plane.”

What case and preposition are used in na lotnisku, and why not w lotnisku?

Places like airports use na with the locative case in Polish. Na lotnisku (“at the airport”) is the standard expression. W lotnisku would imply being “inside the building” and isn’t used for simple location.

Why is musimy być used instead of just musimy?

Musimy means “we must,” but it needs an infinitive verb to complete the idea. Być (“to be”) follows to form “we must be.”

Why is wcześniej placed at the end without using niż?

Wcześniej means “earlier,” and it refers back to o szóstej (“at six”). Since the comparison is clear, niż + phrase can be omitted: “earlier (than six).”

What role does więc play in the sentence?

Więc means “so” or “therefore.” It connects the first clause (the departure time) to the second clause (the result). It can appear at the beginning or after the verb in that clause.

Why isn’t there a pronoun for odlatuje?

Polish verbs include information about person and number. Odlatuje is third person singular, so adding on (“he/it”) is unnecessary unless for emphasis.