The Exact Same Dimension
To express "the exact same," Polish pairs the demonstrative pronoun ten (this/that) with the adjective sam (same).
This phrase matches the gender of the noun it modifies: ten sam (masculine), ta sama (feminine), and to samo (neuter).
| the exact same one [f: ta sama, n: to samo] | ten sam |
Declining Both Parts
Because the phrase consists of two independent words, both change their endings to match the grammatical case of the noun.
For example, in the accusative case (direct objects), the feminine ta sama becomes tę samą.
In the locative case, the masculine ten sam becomes tym samym.
Both words also match the case after prepositions. For example, przed (against, in warnings) takes the instrumental case, so ten sam becomes tym samym (which happens to look exactly like the locative).
For most plural nouns (like stars or dimensions), use the non-masculine-personal form te same.
When referring to a group that includes at least one man (like scientists), use the masculine personal form ci sami.
More Paradoxes
