Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time in Polish
I can use prepositions of time correctly
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Spotkanie jest o trzeciej.
The meeting is at three o'clock.
Przyjdę za godzinę.
I'll come in an hour.
Po obiedzie idę na spacer.
After lunch I go for a walk.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Przyimki czasu — Prepositions of Time
Time expressions in Polish use prepositions that each govern a specific case.
| Preposition | Case | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| o | + locative | at (clock time) | o trzeciej (at 3:00) |
| w | + accusative | on (day of week) | w poniedziałek (on Monday) |
| od...do | + genitive | from...to | od drugiej do piątej |
| za | + accusative | in (future) | za godzinę (in an hour) |
| przed | + instrumental | before | przed obiadem (before lunch) |
| po | + locative | after | po obiedzie (after lunch) |
Note: w + acc. for days (w środę), but w + loc. for months (w styczniu). Clock times use ordinal in locative: o piątej (at 5th → at 5:00).
Learners mix up w + accusative (days) and w + locative (months).
Spotkanie jest o trzeciej.
The meeting is at three o'clock.
o + locative ordinal: trzecia → o trzeciej.
Przyjdę za godzinę.
I'll come in an hour.
za + accusative for 'in X time': godzina → za godzinę.
Po obiedzie idę na spacer.
After lunch I go for a walk.
po + locative: obiad → po obiedzie (consonant change d→dz before -ie).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises