Learn Hardcore Polish: Mogę pożyczyć ci kartę, ale bankomat pobiera opłatę. - I can lend you the card, but the ATM charges a fee.

ci is the clitic (unstressed) dative form of ty (you). After verbs like pożyczyć (to lend), the person receiving the object goes in the dative case, so you say pożyczyć ci.
Use tobie when you need the full, stressed form—for emphasis, after prepositions, or in contrastive contexts. For example:
• “Tobie mogę pożyczyć samochód, ale jemu nie.”
• “Z tobą pójdę do kina.”

Why is kartę in the accusative case?

In Polish the thing being lent is the direct object of pożyczyć, so it takes the accusative. Since karta is a feminine noun, its accusative singular form is kartę (the –a ending changes to –ę).

Can I switch the word order to “Mogę ci pożyczyć kartę” instead of “Mogę pożyczyć ci kartę”? Is one more correct?

Polish word order is quite flexible, especially with clitic pronouns. Both versions are correct and mean the same. The usual pattern for clitics is to place them next to the verb they relate to, but you can say:
• “Mogę ci pożyczyć kartę.”
• “Mogę pożyczyć ci kartę.”
Choice of order often depends on rhythm or emphasis, not grammar.

Why are there no articles like “the” or “a” before bankomat?

Polish does not have definite or indefinite articles. Context and word order supply that information. Here bankomat can mean “an ATM” or “the ATM” based on what you already know from the conversation.

What does pobiera opłatę mean exactly?

Literally, pobrać means “to collect” or “to withdraw,” and opłata means “fee.”
• pobiera opłatę = “(it) charges a fee.”
This is an idiomatic collocation: you pobierasz opłatę (imperfective, the machine habitually charges) or pobrałeś opłatę (perfective, it charged once).

Why is opłatę in the accusative case?

Because opłata is the direct object of pobiera (the machine charges what?), and opłata is feminine, so its accusative form is opłatę.

Why is the imperfective present tense pobiera used instead of a perfective form?

The imperfective aspect (pobiera) expresses a habitual or general action—“ATMs charge a fee” as a matter of fact. A perfective form (pobrał) would imply a one-time completed action (“it charged a fee [on that specific occasion]”).

Could I replace ale with jednak, natomiast, or ale jednak? Do they change the meaning?

All these can serve as “but/however,” but with nuance:
• ale – neutral, everyday “but.”
• jednak – adds a mild contrast or “however.”
• natomiast – more formal, “whereas/on the other hand.”
• ale jednak – combines the casual ale with the contrasting force of jednak.
Example variations:
• “Mogę pożyczyć ci kartę, jednak bankomat pobiera opłatę.”
• “Mogę pożyczyć ci kartę, natomiast bankomat pobiera opłatę.”
All are correct; choose based on formality and emphasis.