ten sam
/ˈtɛn ˈsam/
The Polish phrase for "same" is ten sam.
The phrase is used to indicate that something is not different or is identical to another thing. The specific form of the phrase changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes.
Meaning: not different as regards self, identical (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form of the phrase depends on the noun it modifies: ten sam is used for masculine singular nouns, ta sama for feminine singular nouns and takie same for plural nouns. To emphasize a complete similarity or an identical nature, you might use the word Identyczny.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Polish, the phrase must change its endings to match the grammatical case of the noun it modifies. For masculine singular nouns, use ten sam. For feminine singular nouns, use tą samą in the instrumental case, tę samą in the accusative case and tej samej in the genitive case. For plural nouns, use tych samych for the genitive or accusative cases and te same for plural non-masculine personal nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɛn ˈsam/
Did you know?
- While ten sam means 'the same', the word sam on its own often means 'alone' or 'only' in Polish.
- The word sam shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'same', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *sem-.
- When a Pole says sam, they might be referring to 'self-reliance'. For example, the term samodzielność for 'independence' is built from the root sam.
Examples in context
- Mamy ten sam problem.We have the same problem.This example shows the use of ten sam with a masculine singular noun.Tatoeba #2979372 by jeedrek, translation #1790835 by newkome
- Zrobiłeś ten sam błąd.You made the same mistake.This example demonstrates ten sam used to describe a mistake.Tatoeba #440651 by zipangu, translation #623793 by Eldad
- Powtórzył ten sam błąd.He repeated the same mistake.This example shows ten sam being used in a sentence about repeating an error.Tatoeba #364906 by zipangu, translation #302042 by CK
- Ja mam taki sam samochód.I have the same car.
- Te dwa obrazy są identyczne.These two paintings are the same.
- Mamy ten sam gust muzyczny.We have the same musical taste.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna and Piotr are looking at their orders in a cafe.
- KatarzynaZamówiłeś ten sam napój co ja.You ordered the same drink as me.
- PiotrTak, to moja ulubiona kawa.Yes, this is my favorite coffee.
- KatarzynaMamy ten sam gust.We have the same taste.
- PiotrTo prawda, Katarzyno.That is true, Katarzyna.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “same” translations and entries ten sam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sam, ten, ten sam, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
