Polish · Everyday Verbs
"to go" in Polish: iść / jechać
iść / jechać
Note: Iść: on foot; jechać: by transport. Chodzić/jeździć often describe habitual movement.
To go in Polish is iść when going on foot and jechać when going by transport. Their first-person present forms are idę and jadę.
A simple sentence
Chcę iść do domu.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce iść / jechać
Say it
eeshch / YEH-hach
/iɕt͡ɕ/, /ˈjɛ.xat͡ɕ/
Iść has soft ś and ć at the end. Jechać stresses je; ch is a fricative like the sound in Scottish loch, not English ch.
"to go" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| iść | to go on foot A current or directed journey. | A current or directed journey. |
| jechać | to go by transport A current or directed journey. | A current or directed journey. |
| idę / jadę | I am going Choose by mode of transport. | Choose by mode of transport. |
How to use iść / jechać in real life
- 1A simple sentence
Chcę iść do domu.
I want to go home on foot.
Iść follows chcę as an infinitive.
- 2An everyday situation
Muszę jechać do pracy.
I must go to work by transport.
Jechać indicates travel by vehicle.
- 3A useful question
Możemy iść razem.
We can go together on foot.
The infinitive follows the modal form możemy.
Mistakes English speakers make with iść / jechać
Incorrect: Ja iść do domu.
Correct: Ja idę do domu.
A finite statement uses idę, not the infinitive.
Incorrect: Chcę idę.
Correct: Chcę iść.
Use the infinitive after chcę in this pattern.
Good to know
For regular journeys, Polish often uses chodzić for going on foot and jeździć for transport. Learn those alongside iść and jechać as you describe routines.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Plan a journey
Partner
Chcesz iść do domu?
Do you want to go home on foot?
You
Tak, chcę iść pieszo.
Yes, I want to go on foot.
Partner
Czy możemy jechać autobusem?
Can we go by bus?
You
Tak, ale wolę iść.
Yes, but I prefer to walk.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to go" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to go" in Polish
What is the difference between iść and jechać?
Iść usually means go on foot; jechać means go by vehicle.
How do I say I am going?
Idę for going on foot and jadę for going by transport.
What verbs describe regular journeys?
Chodzić and jeździć often describe habitual or repeated movement.
What is to go home?
Iść do domu is go home on foot; jechać do domu is go home by transport.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
