Polish · People & Family

"Classmate" in Polish: kolega / koleżanka z klasy

kolega / koleżanka z klasy

Say it: koleganoun/kɔlɛɡa/

Classmate in Polish is kolega / koleżanka z klasy. Kolega is masculine personal; useful forms are kolegi z klasy (genitive), kolegę z klasy (direct object) and kolegą z klasy (instrumental). Kolega z klasy is a male classmate; koleżanka z klasy is a female classmate.

Identifying or describing classmate

Kolega z klasy jest na boisku.
The classmate is on the sports field.
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How to pronounce kolega / koleżanka z klasy

Say it

kolega

/kɔlɛɡa/

In kolega, keep the vowels clear and avoid adding vowels inside consonant clusters. The content words in kolega normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.

"Classmate" in Polish: quick reference

PolishEnglish
kolegaclassmate

Dictionary form for masculine personal kolega.

kolegi z klasyof classmate

Genitive form, used for example after nie ma.

kolegą z klasywith classmate

Instrumental form after z meaning with.

kolegę z klasyclassmate as a direct object

Accusative form, used with many affirmative object-taking verbs.

How to use kolega / koleżanka z klasy in real life

  1. 1Identifying or describing classmate

    Kolega z klasy jest na boisku.

    The classmate is on the sports field.

    This sentence uses kolega to describe classmate in context.

  2. 2Using classmate in daily life

    Spotykam kolegę z klasy po lekcjach.

    I meet a classmate after lessons.

    Notice the form used for kolega in this practical sentence.

  3. 3Another use of classmate

    Uczę się z kolegą z klasy.

    I study with a classmate.

    The construction shows how kolega fits a different situation.

Mistakes English speakers make with kolega / koleżanka z klasy

Incorrect: Nie ma kolega.

Correct: Nie ma kolegi z klasy.

After nie ma, kolega takes the genitive form kolegi z klasy.

Incorrect: z kolega

Correct: z kolegą z klasy

When z means with, use the instrumental: z kolegą z klasy. Z can also mean from.

Good to know

Kolega z klasy is a male classmate; koleżanka z klasy is a female classmate.

Read this practice conversation aloud

Describe classmate in two different contexts

  1. Partner

    Ułóż zdanie z tym słowem.

    Make a sentence with this word.

  2. You

    Kolega z klasy jest na boisku.

    The classmate is on the sports field.

  3. Partner

    A teraz podaj inny przykład.

    Now give a different example.

  4. You

    Spotykam kolegę z klasy po lekcjach.

    I meet a classmate after lessons.

This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.

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"Classmate" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Classmate" in Polish

What grammatical form is kolega?

Kolega is masculine personal. No article is required with kolega; surrounding words carry its gender and number agreement.

How does kolega change as a direct object?

The accusative form is kolegę z klasy. For comparison, the genitive is kolegi z klasy; negation can change the case required by a verb.

How do I use kolega after “with”?

Use z kolegą z klasy. Here z introduces the instrumental form of kolega, rather than its dictionary form.

What should I know about using kolega?

Kolega z klasy is a male classmate; koleżanka z klasy is a female classmate.

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