Question 1

Why does the sentence say Nikt nie wie? Doesn't that translate to "Nobody doesn't know"?

Accepted Answer

In Polish, double negation is mandatory. Whenever you use a negative word like nikt (nobody), nic (nothing), or nigdy (never), you must also put nie in front of the verb. Even though it literally looks like "Nobody doesn't know," it is the only correct way to say "Nobody knows."

Question 2

The lesson says to use niech with a present-tense verb. Isn't potwierdzi a future-tense verb here?

Accepted Answer

Great catch! Potwierdzić (to confirm) is a perfective verb (describing a completed action). Perfective verbs do not have a present tense; when you conjugate them using present-tense endings, they automatically create the future tense. The rule for niech just means you use that standard 3rd-person conjugated form, whether the verb is imperfective (true present) or perfective (future meaning).

Question 3

Why is to in the middle of the phrase (szef to potwierdzi) instead of after the verb like in English?

Accepted Answer

In Polish, short, unstressed pronouns like to (it/this), go (him), or cię (you) generally avoid being at the very end of a sentence. They naturally tuck themselves into the middle of the clause unless you are putting special emphasis on them.

Question 4

What is the dictionary form (infinitive) of wie?

Accepted Answer

The infinitive is wiedzieć (to know facts or information). It is highly irregular in the present tense, which is why it looks so different from its infinitive. The singular forms are wiem (I know), wiesz (you know), and wie (he/she/it knows).

Nikt nie wie. Niech szef to potwierdzi osobiście.

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