Polish · Everyday Verbs
"to explain" in Polish: wyjaśniać
wyjaśniać
To explain in Polish is wyjaśniać. The useful forms are wyjaśniam (I), wyjaśniasz (you, singular) and wyjaśnia (he, she or it). Wyjaśniać komuś coś means explain something to someone; the recipient is dative rather than an English-style direct object.
Your own action
Wyjaśniam zasadę uczniowi.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce wyjaśniać
Say it
vihihashniatsh
/vɨjaɕɲatɕ/
In wyjaśniać, ś/si has a soft sh-like sound; ć/ci has a soft ch-like sound; ń/ni is a palatal n; y is distinct from the vowel i. The content words in wyjaśniać normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"to explain" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| wyjaśniać | to explain Infinitive or dictionary expression. | Infinitive or dictionary expression. |
| wyjaśniam | I explain First-person singular present. | First-person singular present. |
| wyjaśniasz | you explain Informal second-person singular. | Informal second-person singular. |
| wyjaśnia | he or she explains Third-person singular. | Third-person singular. |
How to use wyjaśniać in real life
- 1Your own action
Wyjaśniam zasadę uczniowi.
I explain the rule to the pupil.
Wyjaśniam is the form shown for your action in this example.
- 2Speaking to one person
Wyjaśniasz ten problem?
Are you explaining this problem?
Use wyjaśniasz when addressing one person informally; polite address uses third-person grammar.
- 3Another person or situation
Ona wyjaśnia znaczenie słowa.
She explains the word's meaning.
Wyjaśniać komuś coś means explain something to someone; the recipient is dative rather than an English-style direct object.
Mistakes English speakers make with wyjaśniać
Incorrect: Ja wyjaśniać.
Correct: Ja wyjaśniam.
Conjugate wyjaśniać with ja: wyjaśniam. A bare infinitive cannot express this statement.
Incorrect: Ty wyjaśniam.
Correct: Ty wyjaśniasz.
For informal singular ty, the matching form of wyjaśniać is wyjaśniasz, rather than the first-person form.
Good to know
Wyjaśniać komuś coś means explain something to someone; the recipient is dative rather than an English-style direct object.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Talk about explain
Partner
Podaj przykład użycia tego czasownika.
Give an example using this verb.
You
Wyjaśniam zasadę uczniowi.
I explain the rule to the pupil.
Partner
A jak zapytasz drugą osobę?
And how will you ask another person?
You
Wyjaśniasz ten problem?
Are you explaining this problem?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to explain" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to explain" in Polish
What does wyjaśniać mean?
Wyjaśniać komuś coś means explain something to someone; the recipient is dative rather than an English-style direct object.
How do I use wyjaśniać with “I”?
The first-person form is wyjaśniam. For example: Wyjaśniam zasadę uczniowi. — I explain the rule to the pupil.
How do I ask one person using wyjaśniać?
Use wyjaśniasz for informal singular you. Wyjaśniasz ten problem? — Are you explaining this problem?
What is the third-person form of wyjaśniać?
Use wyjaśnia with a singular subject. Ona wyjaśnia znaczenie słowa. — She explains the word's meaning.
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