The Dative Case
In Polish, the Dative case (celownik) is used to show to whom an action is directed. It represents the recipient or the indirect object of a sentence. You will use it very often with verbs that involve transferring something to someone, such as giving (dawać, oddać), sending (wysłać), paying (zapłacić), or showing (pokazać).
Masculine Nouns: The "-owi" Ending
Most masculine nouns form the Dative singular by adding -owi to the end of the word.
- kelner (waiter) becomes kelnerowi
- wnuk (grandson) becomes wnukowi
- kurier (courier) becomes kurierowi
| This man always gives the waiter a tip. | Ten mężczyzna zawsze daje napiwek kelnerowi. |
| I will send my grandson a package, because it's his birthday today. | Wyślę wnukowi paczkę, bo ma dzisiaj urodziny. |
| I must pay the courier for this package. | Muszę zapłacić kurierowi za tę paczkę. |
Masculine Exceptions: The "-u" Ending
A small handful of common, short masculine nouns take the ending -u instead of -owi. Important exceptions to memorize include:
- ojciec (father) becomes ojcu
- brat (brother) becomes bratu
| Please return this card to my father. | Proszę, oddaj tę kartę ojcu. |
| I always give the brother a little money. | Zawsze daję bratu trochę pieniędzy. |
Neuter Nouns
Neuter nouns also take the -u ending in the Dative singular. To form it, simply replace the final -o or -e of the noun with -u (for example, dziecko becomes dziecku).
| I will show the child this new shop. | Pokażę dziecku ten nowy sklep. |
| He gave a toy to the child. | On dał zabawkę dziecku. |
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