Polish · Everyday Verbs
"to read" in Polish: czytać
czytać
To read in Polish is czytać. The useful forms are czytam (I), czytasz (you, singular) and czyta (he, she or it). Czytać is imperfective reading; przeczytać describes reading something through to completion.
Your own action
Czytam książkę wieczorem.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce czytać
Say it
khihtatsh
/tʂɨtatɕ/
In czytać, cz is a hard ch-like sound; ć/ci has a soft ch-like sound; y is distinct from the vowel i. The content words in czytać normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"to read" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| czytać | to read Infinitive or dictionary expression. | Infinitive or dictionary expression. |
| czytam | I read First-person singular present. | First-person singular present. |
| czytasz | you read Informal second-person singular. | Informal second-person singular. |
| czyta | he or she reads Third-person singular. | Third-person singular. |
How to use czytać in real life
- 1Your own action
Czytam książkę wieczorem.
I read a book in the evening.
Czytam is the form shown for your action in this example.
- 2Speaking to one person
Czytasz tę wiadomość?
Are you reading this message?
Use czytasz when addressing one person informally; polite address uses third-person grammar.
- 3Another person or situation
Ona czyta menu.
She reads the menu.
Czytać is imperfective reading; przeczytać describes reading something through to completion.
Mistakes English speakers make with czytać
Incorrect: Ja czytać.
Correct: Ja czytam.
Conjugate czytać with ja: czytam. A bare infinitive cannot express this statement.
Incorrect: Ty czytam.
Correct: Ty czytasz.
For informal singular ty, the matching form of czytać is czytasz, rather than the first-person form.
Good to know
Czytać is imperfective reading; przeczytać describes reading something through to completion.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Talk about read
Partner
Podaj przykład użycia tego czasownika.
Give an example using this verb.
You
Czytam książkę wieczorem.
I read a book in the evening.
Partner
A jak zapytasz drugą osobę?
And how will you ask another person?
You
Czytasz tę wiadomość?
Are you reading this message?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to read" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to read" in Polish
What does czytać mean?
Czytać is imperfective reading; przeczytać describes reading something through to completion.
How do I use czytać with “I”?
The first-person form is czytam. For example: Czytam książkę wieczorem. — I read a book in the evening.
How do I ask one person using czytać?
Use czytasz for informal singular you. Czytasz tę wiadomość? — Are you reading this message?
What is the third-person form of czytać?
Use czyta with a singular subject. Ona czyta menu. — She reads the menu.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
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
