Word
On czyta książkę cały czas.
Meaning
He reads the book all the time.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Questions & Answers about On czyta książkę cały czas.
Why does this sentence begin with On? Do I have to say the pronoun he in Polish?
In Polish, the subject pronoun On (he) is usually unnecessary because the verb ending -a in czyta already tells you it’s third person singular. You can simply say Czyta książkę cały czas and it still means He reads a book all the time or He is reading a book constantly. Including On adds clarity or emphasis—it stresses that you’re talking about him rather than someone else.
What does czyta mean, and why isn’t it translated as reads instead of is reading?
czyta is the 3rd person singular present tense of the imperfective verb czytać (“to read”). Polish does not distinguish between simple present and present continuous like English does. So On czyta książkę can mean He reads a book (habitual action) or He is reading a book (ongoing action). Adding cały czas (“all the time/constantly”) makes clear it’s happening right now or continuously.
Why don’t we use the perfective form przeczytał if he’s reading the whole time and presumably finishing it?