When is Spójniki used?

Key: i = neutral 'and', a = contrastive 'and/but'. bo is informal, ponieważ is formal 'because'.

What are common mistakes with Spójniki?

Learners confuse i and a (both translate as 'and' but a implies contrast). Also mixing bo/ponieważ register levels. English speakers: English 'and' covers both i and a — the contrast distinction is new. Russian speakers: Russian и/а works exactly like Polish i/a — perfect transfer. Czech speakers: Czech a/ale is similar but Czech a = both 'and' and contrastive.

Spójniki

A1 — Spójniki

Common conjunctions for connecting clauses

Can connect clauses using common Polish conjunctions

Common conjunctions for connecting clauses

Examples

On pracuje, a ona odpoczywa. — He works and she rests.
Jestem zmęczony, bo dużo pracuję. — I'm tired because I work a lot.
Wiem, że masz rację. — I know that you're right.

SpójnikiA1

Conjunctions

Common conjunctions for connecting clauses

Learning Goal

I can connect clauses using common conjunctions

Exam Skills:A1 SpeakingA1 Writing

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

On pracuje, a ona odpoczywa.

He works and she rests.

Jestem zmęczony, bo dużo pracuję.

I'm tired because I work a lot.

Wiem, że masz rację.

I know that you're right.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

Conjunctions

Polish conjunctions connect words and clauses.

Conjunction	Meaning	Example
i	and	Adam i Ewa
a	and/but	On pracuje, a ona odpoczywa.
ale	but	Chcę, ale nie mogę.
bo	because	Jestem zmęczony, bo dużo pracuję.
że	that	Wiem, że masz rację.

i = neutral 'and', a = contrastive 'and/but'. Don't mix them. bo = informal, ponieważ = formal 'because'.

On pracuje, a ona odpoczywa.

He works and she rests.

On pracuje, a ona odpoczywa — a (not i) because there's contrast between the two actions.

Jestem zmęczony, bo dużo pracuję.

I'm tired because I work a lot.

Jestem zmęczony, bo dużo pracuję — bo is informal 'because'. Formal: ponieważ.

Wiem, że masz rację.

I know that you're right.

Wiem, że masz rację — że introduces a subordinate clause (always with comma).

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

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Frequently asked questions

When is Spójniki used?: Key: i = neutral 'and', a = contrastive 'and/but'. bo is informal, ponieważ is formal 'because'.
What are common mistakes with Spójniki?: Learners confuse i and a (both translate as 'and' but a implies contrast). Also mixing bo/ponieważ register levels. English speakers: English 'and' covers both i and a — the contrast distinction is new. Russian speakers: Russian и/а works exactly like Polish i/a — perfect transfer. Czech speakers: Czech a/ale is similar but Czech a = both 'and' and contrastive.