Adjectives that take the dative
Many Polish adjectives "govern" specific cases. When an adjective describes an attitude, behavior, or relationship directed toward someone or something, its target often takes the dative case.
In English, we connect these adjectives to their targets using prepositions like "to" or "toward" (e.g., "devoted to the cause"). In Polish, you drop the preposition and let the dative case do the work.
Loyalty and submission
Adjectives describing loyalty or obedience mandate the dative case for the person or thing receiving it:
- posłuszny – obedient
- oddany – devoted
- uległy – submissive
Opposition and hostility
Adjectives describing a negative stance, aversion, or hostility also take the dative case:
- niechętny – averse, reluctant
- przeciwny – opposed
- wrogi – hostile
Notice how plural targets like zmiany (changes) and pracownicy (employees) take dative plural endings (zmianom, pracownikom).
Kindness and usefulness
Positive attitudes and utility follow the same pattern. If you are well-disposed toward someone or an object is useful to a group, the target takes the dative. This applies to pronouns as well, like nam (to us).
- życzliwy – kind, friendly
- przychylny – favorable, well-disposed
- pomocny – helpful
- przydatny – useful
Putting it together
You can combine these adjectives to build nuanced descriptions of people and animals, contrasting their attitudes toward different targets. Remember to put every target into the dative case, including pronouns like mi (to me).