Breakdown of Ojciec idzie na emeryturę za dwa miesiące.
iść
to go
ojciec
father
na
on, at / to (motion toward) / for (a meal) / for (waiting for)
dwa
two
Questions & Answers about Ojciec idzie na emeryturę za dwa miesiące.
Why do we use za to mean "in" here?
When talking about how much time will pass before a future event, Polish uses za followed by the Accusative case. So za dwa miesiące is the standard way to say "in two months."
Why is the noun miesiące used instead of miesięcy?
When counting in the Accusative case, the numbers 2, 3, and 4 (and numbers ending in them) take the regular plural form of the noun, which is miesiące. You only switch to the Genitive plural (miesięcy) for 5 and up.
How exactly does idzie na emeryturę mean "is retiring"?
Literally, it translates to "goes on a pension." The word emerytura means "pension" or "retirement." Because the verb iść (to go) implies a change of state or movement, the preposition na requires the Accusative case, changing the ending to emeryturę.
Why use the present tense verb idzie if the retirement is in the future?
Just like in English ("Father is retiring"), Polish often uses the present tense of verbs for definite, planned actions in the near future. It sounds very natural when the event is already decided.