Breakdown of Moje urodziny są w lipcu, a mój brat świętuje we wrześniu.
być
to be
brat
brother
a
and / whereas (contrast)
mój
my
w
in / on (a day)
świętować
to celebrate
urodziny
birthday
lipiec
July
wrzesień
September
Questions & Answers about Moje urodziny są w lipcu, a mój brat świętuje we wrześniu.
Why do the months lipiec and wrzesień change to lipcu and wrześniu?
When we say "in a month", we use the Locative case. For most masculine months, we add -u to the end. But notice that both lipiec (July) and wrzesień (September) have a "disappearing e" in their last syllable. When we add the -u ending, that "e" drops out, giving us w lipcu and we wrześniu.
Why is it w lipcu but we wrześniu? Shouldn't "in" always be w?
Usually, "in" is just w. However, wrzesień starts with a "w" followed by another consonant ("r"). To make it easier to pronounce, Polish adds an "e" to the preposition, making it we wrześniu. You will see this happen with other words starting with "w" or "f" plus a consonant.
Why does the sentence use moje and the plural verb są for one birthday?
In Polish, the word for birthday (urodziny) is always plural! Because it is a plural word, it must take the plural form of "my" (moje) and the plural verb for "are" (są). Literally, you are saying "My birthdays are in July".
Why is "and" translated as a here, instead of the usual i?
The word i simply adds two things together. The word a is used when you want to show a slight contrast or comparison, much like "while" or "whereas" in English. Since you are comparing your birthday month to your brother's, a is the natural choice.
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