Questions & Answers about Nie zgub oczka i nie pruj tego swetra!
Why does this sentence use oczka (from oko - eye), and how does it mean 'stitch'?
In Polish, oczko (the diminutive of oko) is used for small loop-like shapes, including a stitch in knitting or a run in tights. It is in the genitive case here (oczka) because it is the direct object of a negated verb (nie zgub).
Why do we use the perfective zgub but the imperfective pruj in these negative commands?
Negative imperatives usually require the imperfective aspect to say 'don't do this deliberate action', which gives us nie pruj (do not unravel). However, when warning someone not to do something accidentally, Polish uses the perfective aspect, which gives us nie zgub (be careful not to lose).
Why are we using the genitive case (tego swetra) instead of the accusative (ten sweter)?
This is the genitive of negation. When a direct object is governed by a negated verb, such as nie pruj (do not unravel), it must take the genitive case instead of the accusative.
Isn't sweter an inanimate masculine noun? Why does its genitive end in -a (swetra) instead of -u?