Habitual motion (chodzić, jeździć)

Going on Foot vs. By Vehicle

In Polish, the verb you use to say "to go" depends on how you are getting there.

  • chodzić: to go on foot, or to walk
  • jeździć: to go by a vehicle (to drive, ride, take a train, etc.)

These specific verbs are used for habitual motion—trips you make regularly, frequently, or as part of a routine.

Pronounchodzićjeździć
jachodzęjeżdżę
tychodziszjeździsz
on/ona/onochodzijeździ
mychodzimyjeździmy
wychodziciejeździcie
oni/onechodząjeżdżą

Going "To" a Place

To say you are going "to" a destination, use the preposition do. Combine motion verbs with do and frequency adverbs like zwykle (usually) to talk about daily habits.

I usually walk to work.
Zwykle chodzę do pracy pieszo.
My boss usually drives to the center.
Mój szef zwykle jeździ do centrum.

Describing Your Routine

You can talk about how often you travel using time expressions like w weekend (on the weekend) and adverbs like czasami (sometimes), często (often), and rzadko (rarely).

We sometimes go to the theatre on the weekend.
Czasami chodzimy do teatru w weekend.
Do you sometimes drive to the club?
Czy czasami jeździcie do klubu?
Why do you rarely drive to the center?
Dlaczego rzadko jeździsz do centrum?

Double Negation with "Nigdy"

In Polish, if you use a negative word like nigdy (never), you must also make the verb negative by placing nie directly in front of it. This double negative is grammatically required.

She never drives to the club.
Ona nigdy nie jeździ do klubu.
My grandfather never drives to the city.
Mój dziadek nigdy nie jeździ do miasta.

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