jestem z
To say "I am from" in Polish, use jestem z.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of jestem, which is the first-person singular form of the verb być (to be) and z, a preposition meaning "from" or "with".
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition z requires the noun that follows it to be in the genitive case. Because z triggers the genitive case, the name of the place you are from must change its ending to reflect this case.
Did you know?
- The Polish word jestem shares a deep ancestor with the English word 'am' and the Latin 'sum'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ésmi.
- While jestem z is used for cities and countries, Poles often use the phrase pochodzę z to emphasize their ancestry or heritage rather than just their place of birth.
- If a speaker is from a place that starts with certain consonant clusters, z might change to ze to make the phrase easier to pronounce.
Examples in context
- Jestem z Algier w Algierii.I am from Algiers, Algeria.This sentence shows how to use jestem z to state your origin with a city and a country.Tatoeba #9684427 by aurchykr, translation #8540878 by Amastan
- Jestem z Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej, a ty z Republiki Federalnej Niemiec.I am from the Republic of Poland, you are from the Federal Republic of Germany.This sentence demonstrates using jestem z in a more formal political context to describe one's country.Tatoeba #5229151 by Tomash, translation #2780371 by PlavoniaTrotsky
- Jestem z Chin.I am from China.Tatoeba #5150720 by Tomash, translation #1578570 by CN
- Jestem z Stanów ZjednoczonychI am from the United States
- Pochodzę z NiemiecI come from Germany
- Moje miejsce pochodzenia to WłochyMy place of origin is Italy
- Jestem z Kanady, ale moje miejsce pochodzenia to Włochy.I am from Canada, but my place of origin is Italy.
- Pochodzę z Australii, ale jestem tu od dwóch lat.I come from Australia, but I've been here for two years.
- Jestem z Wielkopolski, konkretnie z Poznania.I am from Greater Poland, specifically from Poznań.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna and Krzysztof are meeting at a party.
- KatarzynaJestem z Warszawy, a ty?I am from Warsaw, and you?
- KrzysztofJestem z Krakowa.I am from Krakow.
- KatarzynaBardzo ładne miasto.A very beautiful city.
- KrzysztofDziękuję, bardzo mi miło cię poznać.Thank you, it is very nice to meet you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jestem, jestem z, z, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
