Questions & Answers about Gdzie spędzasz Sylwestra?
Why is it Sylwestra here instead of Sylwester?
The verb spędzać (to spend time) requires the accusative case. Sylwester is a masculine noun. Normally, inanimate masculine nouns don't change in the accusative. However, Sylwester belongs to a special group of inanimate nouns (along with dances, cigarettes, and some fruits) that take the masculine animate ending -a in the accusative case.
Why is the present tense spędzasz used for a future event?
Just like in English ('Where are you spending New Year's Eve?'), Polish can use the present tense of an imperfective verb to talk about fixed plans in the near future. You could also use the perfective future spędzisz (Where will you spend...), but spędzasz sounds very natural for asking about established arrangements.
Could I use wydajesz instead of spędzasz here?
No. English uses 'spend' for both time and money, but Polish has two strictly separated verbs. Spędzać is only used for spending time. If you want to talk about spending money on your New Year's Eve party, you must use the verb wydawać.
Why is Sylwestra capitalized?
December 31st is the name day for the male name Sylwester in the Polish calendar, which became the name of the holiday itself. When referring to the holiday New Year's Eve, it is capitalized. If you are referring to a generic New Year's Eve party, you will often see it written in lowercase, like idę na sylwestra (I am going to a New Year's Eve party).
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