Polish · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Sixteen" in Polish: szesnaście
szesnaście
Sixteen in Polish is szesnaście, the number 16. Its genitive form is szesnastu. Szesnaście is written without ć, unlike sześć; it takes genitive plural for the counted noun.
A useful quantity
Mam szesnaście książek.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce szesnaście
Say it
shesnashtsie
/ʂɛsˈnaɕtɕɛ/
In szesnaście, sz is a hard sh-like sound; ś/si has a soft sh-like sound; ć/ci has a soft ch-like sound. The content words in szesnaście normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"Sixteen" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| szesnaście | 16 Counting or dictionary form. | Counting or dictionary form. |
| szesnastu | 16 in a genitive construction Changes with the grammar of the sentence. | Changes with the grammar of the sentence. |
| Mam szesnaście książek. | I have sixteen books. A complete quantity in a sentence. | A complete quantity in a sentence. |
How to use szesnaście in real life
- 1A useful quantity
Mam szesnaście książek.
I have sixteen books.
Szesnaście is written without ć, unlike sześć; it takes genitive plural for the counted noun.
- 2Time or another everyday count
Kurs trwa szesnaście tygodni.
The course lasts sixteen weeks.
This sentence keeps szesnaście in the counting form and shows the noun used with it.
- 3A genitive construction
Nie mam szesnastu biletów.
I do not have sixteen tickets.
Szesnastu is the genitive form corresponding to szesnaście.
Mistakes English speakers make with szesnaście
Incorrect: Mam szesnaście książki.
Correct: Mam szesnaście książek.
The noun after szesnaście must use the case and number shown in Mam szesnaście książek.
Incorrect: Nie mam szesnaście biletów.
Correct: Nie mam szesnastu biletów.
This negative construction requires genitive szesnastu, rather than counting form szesnaście.
Good to know
Szesnaście is written without ć, unlike sześć; it takes genitive plural for the counted noun.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Practice a quantity of 16
Partner
Jak użyjesz tej liczby w zdaniu?
How will you use this number in a sentence?
You
Mam szesnaście książek.
I have sixteen books.
Partner
A w innym kontekście?
And in another context?
You
Kurs trwa szesnaście tygodni.
The course lasts sixteen weeks.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Sixteen" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sixteen" in Polish
What number does szesnaście express?
Szesnaście is 16. For example: Mam szesnaście książek. — I have sixteen books.
What noun form follows szesnaście?
Szesnaście is written without ć, unlike sześć; it takes genitive plural for the counted noun.
Does szesnaście change in genitive constructions?
Yes. The form shown here is szesnastu: Nie mam szesnastu biletów. — I do not have sixteen tickets.
Can you give another example with szesnaście?
Kurs trwa szesnaście tygodni. — The course lasts sixteen weeks.
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