The verb to be, plural (być)

We and You (plural)

In Polish, plural pronouns have their own specific verb endings:

  • my (we)
  • wy (you, informal plural)

The verb być (to be) takes these forms:

  • my jesteśmy (we are)
  • wy jesteście (you are)

Just like with singular pronouns, you can often drop the subject pronoun because the verb ending shows who is acting.

We are together today.
Dzisiaj jesteśmy razem.
Are you (plural) often here?
Czy często tu jesteście?

They: Oni and One

Polish has two different pronouns for "they," depending on the group:

  • oni (they): Groups that include at least one man (masculine personal).
  • one (they): Groups of women, children, animals, or objects (non-masculine personal).

For both oni and one, the verb być becomes (they are).

They (masculine) are always together.
Oni zawsze są razem.
They (feminine) are very close.
One są bardzo blisko.

Formal Plural and Groups

When addressing a group formally, use państwo (ladies and gentlemen / formal you).

Group nouns like państwo, wszyscy (everyone), and ludzie (people) are treated as third-person plural subjects and take .

Everyone is here today.
Wszyscy tu dzisiaj są.
Are you (formal, plural) far away?
Czy państwo są daleko?
People are always here.
Ludzie zawsze tu są.

Summary of "Być" (Plural)

PronounVerb formMeaning
myjesteśmywe are
wyjesteścieyou are (plural, informal)
oni / onethey are
państwoyou are (plural, formal)
You (formal, plural) are here, but we are there.
Państwo są tu, ale my jesteśmy tam.