Question 1

Why are both parts of the number in the locative case (dwudziestym drugim)?

Accepted Answer

In Polish compound ordinal numbers like 22nd, both parts decline like adjectives to match the noun they describe. Because the noun rzędzie (row) is in the locative case after the preposition w, both dwudziesty (twentieth) and drugi (second) must take the locative masculine endings, becoming dwudziestym drugim.

Question 2

Why do the two numbers have different endings, -ym for dwudziestym and -im for drugim?

Accepted Answer

Even though they are in the same case (locative masculine), the ending depends on the last consonant of the word. Dwudziesty ends in a hard consonant sound before the ending, so it takes -ym. Drugi ends in g, and in Polish grammar, the letters k and g almost always require the -im ending instead.

Question 3

The dictionary form of row is rząd. Why does it change so much to become rzędzie?

Accepted Answer

To form the locative case after the preposition w, masculine inanimate nouns like rząd usually take the ending -e. Adding this ending causes the final consonant d to soften into dzi. Additionally, this triggers a common vowel change in the middle of the word, swapping the ą for an ę.

Question 4

Does fotel really mean armchair here? Usually numbered rows are in a theater or airplane.

Accepted Answer

You are right! While fotel translates directly to armchair, Polish commonly uses this word for the comfortable, individual seats you find in cinemas, theaters, or airplanes. If you wanted to talk about a generic seat or place, you would use the word miejsce.

Mój fotel jest w dwudziestym drugim rzędzie.

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