Question 1

Since we are learning about verbs with się, why doesn't złamał have się after it here?

Accepted Answer

Because this is the transitive version of the verb. The subject (on) is actively performing the action on a direct object (ołówek). If we wanted to say the pencil broke on its own, we would use the intransitive middle voice: Ołówek się złamał (The pencil broke).

Question 2

Ołówek is the direct object being broken. Why isn't it in the accusative case?

Accepted Answer

It actually is in the accusative case! Ołówek is an inanimate masculine noun, and for these nouns, the accusative form looks exactly the same as the nominative (dictionary) form.

Question 3

Why is the preposition na used here to mean "into"?

Accepted Answer

In Polish, when you divide, break, cut, or split something into pieces, you use the preposition na followed by the accusative case. You can think of it as breaking the pencil "onto" two parts (na dwie części).

Question 4

Why does the sentence use dwie części instead of dwa części?

Accepted Answer

Because the noun część (part) is feminine, it requires the feminine form of the number two, which is dwie. Remember that Polish nouns ending in -ść (like miłość or część) are almost always feminine, even though they end in a consonant.

On złamał ołówek na dwie części.

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