Word
Możemy obejść blokadę po prawej stronie.
Meaning
We can walk around the blockade on the right side.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Możemy obejść blokadę po prawej stronie.
móc
to be able to
po prawej stronie
on the right
obejść
to walk around
blokada
blockade
Questions & Answers about Możemy obejść blokadę po prawej stronie.
Why is the prefix obe- instead of just ob- in obejść?
The prefix meaning 'around' or 'bypassing' is usually ob-. However, when adding it to the base verb for walking on foot, it changes to obe- to make it easier to pronounce, giving us obejść instead of an awkward consonant cluster.
Why is the word blokadę in the Accusative case?
Motion verbs prefixed with ob- or obe- that mean 'to bypass' take a direct object in the Accusative case. You treat the obstacle as a direct object! Since blokada is a feminine noun, it changes to blokadę.
Why does the phrase 'on the right side' use the preposition po?
In Polish, when talking about locations like the left or right side, you use the preposition po followed by the Locative case. That is why the basic phrase prawa strona changes to its Locative form, po prawej stronie.
Could we use the imperfective verb obchodzić instead of obejść here?
It would change the meaning. obejść is perfective, meaning we are talking about successfully walking around this specific blockade once. If you used the imperfective obchodzić, it would mean something like 'We are able to walk around blockades' as a general rule or repeated action.