Za domem mamy małe boisko rodzinne dla dzieci.

Behind the house we have a small family playing field for the children.

Breakdown of Za domem mamy małe boisko rodzinne dla dzieci.

• mieć: to have
• dom: the house
• mały: small
• dziecko: the child

Questions & Answers about Za domem mamy małe boisko rodzinne dla dzieci.

What does Za domem literally mean, and why is it domem and not dom?

Za domem literally means behind the house.

The noun dom (house) is here in the instrumental case: domem.
The preposition za can take:

• instrumental for a static location:
  
  • Za domem mamy… = We have (something) behind the house. (location)
• accusative for movement to a position behind something:
  
  • Idziemy za dom. = We are going behind the house. (movement to a place)

Because the sentence describes where the playground is (not where someone is moving), za needs the instrumental, so domem is correct.

How do I know which case to use after za: instrumental or accusative?

Ask yourself whether the verb describes:

1. Location (where something is / happens) → use instrumental

   • Za domem jest ogród. = The garden is behind the house.
   • Siedzimy za stołem. = We are sitting behind the table.

2. Movement (where something goes / is put) → use accusative

   • Idziemy za dom. = We are going behind the house.