Breakdown of Zegar odlicza sekundy, mamy coraz mniej czasu!
mieć
to have
czas
time
mniej
less
coraz
more and more
sekunda
second
zegar
clock
odliczać
to count down
Questions & Answers about Zegar odlicza sekundy, mamy coraz mniej czasu!
What is the difference between liczy and odlicza?
The verb liczyć simply means to count. Adding the prefix od- changes the meaning to counting down (or counting off). In this sentence, odlicza paints the picture of a timer ticking down the remaining seconds.
How does the phrase coraz mniej translate to less and less?
In Polish, you do not repeat the comparative word like you do in English. Instead, you use the particle coraz (which indicates a progressive, ongoing change) followed by a single comparative word. So coraz mniej means less and less, just as coraz lepiej means better and better.
Why is the word for time (czas) in the Genitive case (czasu)?
Words that express quantity always force the noun that follows them into the Genitive case. Because we are using the quantifier mniej (less), the nominative czas must change to the Genitive czasu.
Why is it sekundy here instead of the Genitive plural sekund? Doesn't counting require the Genitive?
You would use the Genitive plural if there were a specific number from five upwards (like pięć sekund). However, in this sentence, there is no number. Sekundy is just a standard plural noun acting as the direct object of the verb odlicza. Direct objects take the Accusative case, and for feminine nouns like sekunda, the plural Accusative is sekundy.
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