The Partitive Genitive
In Polish, verbs that mean "to add an amount of something" take their direct object in the Genitive case rather than the Accusative. Because you are adding an unspecified quantity (a portion or "some" of an uncountable mass noun), this structure is called the partitive genitive.
Polish uses different verbs for adding substances depending on whether they are liquids, powders, or solids.
Adding liquids
When adding a liquid (like water, milk, or cream), use the verb dolać. The liquid being added takes the Genitive form (for example, mleko becomes mleka).
| to add liquid | dolać |
| Can I add some milk to your coffee? | Czy mogę dolać mleka do twojej kawy? |
| The coffee is already ready, you just need to add some cream. | Kawa jest już gotowa, musisz tylko dolać śmietanki. |
Adding powders and granules
If the substance is a powder or consists of small grains (like sugar or pepper), use dosypać.
| to add powder | dosypać |
| If you lack energy, you must add sugar to your coffee. | Jeśli brakuje ci energii, musisz dosypać cukru do kawy. |
| If the coffee is bitter, please add sugar and stir with a teaspoon. | Jeśli kawa jest gorzka, proszę dosypać cukru i wymieszać łyżeczką. |
Adding solids and portions
When adding solid items or portions of food (like wood or rice), use dołożyć.
| to add solid | dołożyć |
| I am very hungry, can you give me some more rice? | Jestem bardzo głodny, czy możesz dołożyć mi ryżu? |
| When I am cold, I must add wood to the campfire. | Gdy jest mi zimno, muszę dołożyć drewna do ogniska. |
Adding exact amounts
When adding a specific small measurement, such as a "drop" (kropla) or a "pinch" (szczypta), the measurement word acts as the direct object and takes the Accusative case (kroplę, szczyptę). The substance being measured follows in the Genitive.
| You must add some pepper and add a pinch of salt. | Musisz dosypać pieprzu i dodać szczyptę soli. |
| Can I add a drop of juice and add a pinch of sugar? | Czy mogę dolać kroplę soku i dosypać szczyptę cukru? |