Collective numerals 2 to 10 (dwoje, troje)

When to Use Collective Numerals

Polish uses a special set of numbers called collective numerals (liczebniki zbiorowe) for specific types of groups. You must use them when counting:

• Mixed-gender groups (containing both males and females, such as ludzi
  • people or uczniów
    • students).
• Children (dzieci) and siblings (rodzeństwo).
• Young animals.

The Grammar Rules

When using a collective numeral, two important grammar rules apply to the rest of the phrase:

1. The noun being counted must be in the Genitive case.
2. When the numeral phrase is the subject of the sentence, the verb takes the 3rd person singular form (acting like a single, neuter entity).

Two and Three: Dwoje and Troje

The collective numerals for two and three are dwoje and troje. Notice in the examples below how the nouns take the Genitive case, and the verbs (czeka, bawi się) remain singular.

Four, Five, and Six

From four onward, collective numerals end in the suffix -oro (czworo, pięcioro, sześcioro). The grammar rules for the noun and verb remain exactly the same.

Seven to Ten

The -oro pattern continues consistently for numbers seven through ten: siedmioro, ośmioro, dziewięcioro, and dziesięcioro.