Word
Stół stoi przy oknie.
Meaning
The table stands by the window.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Questions & Answers about Stół stoi przy oknie.
Why does the sentence use stoi (stands) instead of just saying the table is there?
In Polish, objects usually do not just exist in a location; they are described by their physical position. Furniture with legs, like a table, naturally stands (stoi). Flat objects like rugs or books usually lie (leży).
Why is the word for window oknie instead of the basic dictionary form okno?
The preposition przy (by, next to) requires the noun that follows it to take the Locative case. For the neuter noun okno, the Locative case ending is -e, which changes the word to oknie.
Where does the letter i come from in the word oknie?
When adding the -e ending for the Locative case, the consonant right before it often has to soften in pronunciation. To show this soft sound in writing, Polish adds an i between the consonant and the vowel. So okno loses its -o, the n softens, and we get oknie.
Could I change the word order to Przy oknie stoi stół?
Yes! Polish word order is very flexible. Stół stoi przy oknie is the most neutral way to say this. Putting stół at the end (Przy oknie stoi stół) shifts the focus, sounding more like you are answering the question: What is standing by the window?