jestem
In Polish, the phrase "I am" is translated as jestem.
jestem is the first-person singular present tense of the verb "to be". jestem is used with the nominative case.
Which one should you use?
While jestem is the standard way to say "I am", you may sometimes see ja jestem. Using the pronoun ja before the verb adds emphasis to the subject (e.g., "It is *I* who am…").
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular form jestem already contains the meaning of "I", so the pronoun ja is usually omitted unless you want to emphasize I specifically. To negate 'jestem', you place the particle nie directly before it.
Did you know?
- Even though 'jestem' is the foundation of identity, it is often replaced by the verb 'to have' (mieć) when expressing feelings like hunger or thirst, such as saying 'I have hunger' instead of 'I am hungry'.
- The English word 'am' and the Polish word jestem are distant cousins, both tracing back to the same Proto-Indo-European root *h₁es-.
- In Polish, you can say jestem to mean 'I am here' or 'I'm present' without adding any other words. In English, 'I am' usually requires a complement to be a complete thought.
Examples in context
- Nie jestem twoim psem.I am not your dog.This sentence is useful for practicing the negation of jestem.Tatoeba #11475737 by maria_lysik, translation #7070665 by OsoHombre
- Nie jestem twoim synem.I am not your son.Tatoeba #3525144 by arie, translation #2906750 by Hybrid
- Tak, jestem jego ojcem.Yes, I am his father.This sentence is useful for practicing the affirmative use of jestem.Tatoeba #12888729 by Stanislawspruss, translation #12888706 by Josephlingo
- Jestem studentem.I am a student.
- Jestem lekarzem.I am a doctor.
- Jestem zawodowcem.I am a professional.
- Jestem szczęśliwy.I am happy.
- Jestem głodny.I am hungry.
- Jestem zmęczony.I am tired.
- 359 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Piotr are meeting at a busy cafe.
- AnnaCześć, jestem Anna.Hi, I am Anna.
- PiotrMiło mi, jestem Piotr.Nice to meet you, I am Piotr.
- AnnaCzy jestem tu pierwsza?Am I first here?
- PiotrTak, jesteś jedyną osobą.Yes, you are the only person.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jestem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
