Citing Sources with Według
When you want to state an opinion, report the news, or cite a piece of information—like a weather forecast—use the preposition według (according to).
| according to | według |
Crucially, według always requires the noun or pronoun that follows it to take the Genitive case. For example, the feminine phrase ta prognoza (this forecast) changes to its Genitive form, tej prognozy.
| According to this forecast, tomorrow the weather will be worse. | Według tej prognozy jutro będzie gorsza pogoda. |
Approaching Weather and Experts
When discussing meteorological reports, you will often talk about weather systems that are on their way. The verb nadchodzić is used to express that something is "approaching" or "coming."
| to approach | nadchodzić |
You can combine według with experts or official reports to talk about these incoming conditions. Remember to apply the Genitive case to plural nouns (like meteorolodzy becoming meteorologów) and neuter nouns (like oficjalne źródło becoming oficjalnego źródła).
| According to meteorologists, a terrible storm is approaching. | Według meteorologów nadchodzi okropna burza. |
| Somewhere in the south, a new heat wave is approaching. | Gdzieś na południu nadchodzi nowa fala upałów. |
| According to an official source, it was some mistake. | Według oficjalnego źródła to był jakiś błąd. |
Discussing the Climate and Personal Opinions
This exact same structure is used whether you are discussing broad scientific topics or simply sharing a personal opinion. Notice below how the plural naukowcy (scientists) becomes naukowców, the feminine moja mama (my mom) becomes mojej mamy, and the masculine ten artykuł (this article) becomes tego artykułu.
| According to scientists, we must protect the climate. | Według naukowców musimy chronić klimat. |
| According to my mom, this meteorologist is better. | Według mojej mamy ten meteorolog jest lepszy. |
| According to this article, the climate is an important topic. | Według tego artykułu klimat to ważny temat. |