Specifying purpose with "na"
In English, you usually use the preposition "for" or "to" to connect a noun to its purpose or target (e.g., a ticket for a movie, a pass to the gym). In Polish, you express this relationship using the preposition na followed by the accusative case.
Tickets and passes
When talking about access to events, venues, or services, pair words like bilet (ticket), wejściówka (admission pass), or karnet (subscription/pass) with na + accusative.
| Do you have a pass for this screening? | Czy masz wejściówkę na ten seans? |
| We have tickets for the fair and we are going by train. | Mamy bilety na targi i jedziemy pociągiem. |
| I bought a pass for the festival. | Kupiłem karnet na festiwal. |
Recipes and formulas
Use the exact same structure to talk about what a recipe makes. The most common word for a cooking recipe is przepis. You might also see receptura, which refers to a formula or a more formal, traditional recipe.
| The recipe for this apple pie is my secret. | Przepis na tę szarlotkę to mój sekret. |
| Do you know the recipe for these pancakes? | Znasz przepis na te naleśniki? |
| The formula for this cream is our secret. | Receptura na ten krem to nasz sekret. |
Ideas and clever tricks
You will also use na + accusative to describe what an idea, plan, or solution is meant to address.
Common nouns used this way include pomysł (idea) and patent (a colloquial term for a clever trick, hack, or reliable method for dealing with something).
| My friend has an idea for a startup. | Mój znajomy ma pomysł na startup. |
| Do you have any idea for a gift? | Masz jakiś pomysł na prezent? |
| I know a good trick for stress. | Znam dobry patent na stres. |