Breakdown of Na skutek huraganu wybiło nam wszystkie okna na balkonie.
okno
window
my
we
na
on, at / to (motion toward) / for (a meal) / for (waiting for)
balkon
balcony
wszystek
all (the)
huragan
hurricane
na skutek
due to (as a result of)
wybić
to smash (e.g. a window)
Questions & Answers about Na skutek huraganu wybiło nam wszystkie okna na balkonie.
Why is the verb wybiło in the singular neuter form when wszystkie okna is plural?
This is a classic impersonal construction used for natural forces or uncontrollable events. Instead of saying the windows broke, Polish says 'it broke the windows.' The verb is fixed in the 3rd-person singular neuter (wybiło), and wszystkie okna is actually the direct object in the Accusative case, not the subject.
Why do we use the Dative nam here instead of saying nasze wszystkie okna (all our windows)?
In Polish, when something happens to your personal property, body, or space, it is very common to use the Dative 'experiencer' pronoun (nam, meaning 'to us') rather than a possessive adjective (nasze). It emphasizes that we are the ones who suffered the consequences of the event.
What case does the phrase na skutek require, and could I just use przez?
Na skutek (as a result of) always takes the Genitive case, which is why we see huraganu. You could use przez huragan (Accusative) to mean 'because of the hurricane,' but na skutek sounds slightly more formal and focuses specifically on the aftermath or consequences.
What is the difference between wybić and other words for breaking glass, like rozbić or zbić?
While zbić or rozbić mean to shatter or break into pieces (like a vase or a drinking glass), wybić specifically means to knock or break something out of its place. In this context, it paints a vivid picture of the windows being violently blown out of their frames by the wind.
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