Ja zawsze noszę paszport w portfelu.

Breakdown of Ja zawsze noszę paszport w portfelu.

ja
I
w
in
zawsze
always
portfel
the wallet
paszport
the passport
nosić
to carry
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Questions & Answers about Ja zawsze noszę paszport w portfelu.

Why is ja used here even though Polish often drops subject pronouns?
In Polish the verb ending (here in noszę) already tells you it’s first person singular. You include ja only for emphasis (“I” always do it) or to contrast with someone else. If you omit it, Zawsze noszę paszport w portfelu is perfectly natural and common.
Why doesn’t paszport change form when it’s the object of the verb?
Paszport is a masculine inanimate noun. In singular, masculine inanimate nouns have the same form in the nominative (subject) and accusative (direct object) cases. Since noszę takes a direct object, paszport is in the accusative, but it remains paszport.
Why is w portfelu used instead of something like do portfela?
  • w + locative expresses location (“in” something).
  • do + genitive expresses movement into (“into” something).
    Here you’re saying where you carry the passport (inside the wallet), not that you put it in there right now, so you use w portfelu (locative case: portfel → portfelu).
What’s the role of zawsze, and could its position change?

Zawsze means “always” and is an adverb of frequency. The typical position is before the verb: Zawsze noszę…. You could move it for emphasis or style, but the most natural order is:

  1. (Subject pronoun)
  2. Adverb of frequency
  3. Verb
  4. Object
  5. Adverbial phrase
    So Ja zawsze noszę paszport w portfelu or simply Zawsze noszę paszport w portfelu.
Why is the present tense (noszę) used for a habit, and why not a perfective verb?
Polish uses the imperfective aspect to describe habitual or ongoing actions. Noszę is imperfective, so it fits “I always carry…” perfectly. A perfective form like zanieść would imply a single, completed action (“to carry in/over there once”), which doesn’t match the idea of a regular habit.
Could I use other verbs instead of nosić to talk about carrying a passport?

Yes, depending on nuance:

  • trzymać (“to keep”): Zawsze trzymam paszport w portfelu. (I always keep my passport in my wallet.)
  • mieć przy sobie (“to have on me”): Zawsze mam paszport przy sobie. (I always have my passport on me.)
  • chować (“to stash”): Zawsze chowam paszport w portfelu. (I always stash my passport in my wallet.)
    Each verb gives a slightly different flavor to the action.