Breakdown of Nie wolno czekać naprzeciwko banku.
bank
bank
czekać
to wait
nie wolno
it is not allowed (+ infinitive)
naprzeciwko
opposite
Questions & Answers about Nie wolno czekać naprzeciwko banku.
Why is the word for bank spelled banku here instead of just bank?
It is in the Genitive case because of the preposition naprzeciwko (opposite). Naprzeciwko is one of the prepositions that always require the noun following it to be in the Genitive case.
Why does bank take the -u ending in the Genitive case instead of -a?
Bank is a masculine inanimate noun. In the Genitive case, these nouns can end in either -a or -u. There is no perfect rule, but the -u ending is very common for loanwords, abstract concepts, and places or institutions, which is why we say banku.
How does the phrase nie wolno work in this sentence?
Nie wolno is an impersonal phrase meaning 'it is not allowed' or 'one must not'. Because it doesn't refer to a specific person (like 'I' or 'you'), it is always followed by a verb in its dictionary form (the infinitive). That is why we use czekać (to wait) right after it.
Is there a difference between naprzeciwko and naprzeciw?
No, they mean the exact same thing ('opposite' or 'across from') and both require the Genitive case. Naprzeciwko is just slightly more common in everyday spoken Polish.
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