Breakdown of Nie mogli kupić wejściówek na targi.
nie
no / not
na
on, at / to (motion toward) / for (a meal) / for (waiting for)
móc
to be able to
kupić
to buy (perfective)
wejściówka
the admission pass
targi
the fair
Questions & Answers about Nie mogli kupić wejściówek na targi.
Why do we use na targi to mean "for the fair", and what case is targi?
Targi is in the Accusative case. Here, the phrase na targi modifies the noun wejściówek to show its purpose or target (passes for the fair). Notice that even though wejściówek is forced into the Genitive case by the sentence structure, the preposition na still controls its own noun, keeping targi in the Accusative.
Why is the word for passes (wejściówek) in the Genitive case here instead of the Accusative?
This happens because of the negative word nie at the start of the sentence. The verb kupić usually takes a direct object in the Accusative case (for example, mogli kupić wejściówki). However, when a verb that normally takes the Accusative is negated, its direct object switches to the Genitive case.
What is the difference between a bilet and a wejściówka?
While bilet is the standard word for any ticket (like a train ticket or cinema ticket), wejściówka comes from the word wejście (entrance). It specifically means an admission pass, entrance ticket, or sometimes a complimentary pass to an event or venue.
Is the word targi plural, and can I use it in the singular?
When referring to a trade fair, expo, or exhibition, targi is a plural-only noun. There is a singular noun targ, but it means a traditional open-air market or bazaar, which is a different concept.
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