Polish · Everyday Verbs
"to start" in Polish: zaczynać
zaczynać
To start in Polish is zaczynać. The useful forms are zaczynam (I), zaczynasz (you, singular) and zaczyna (he, she or it). Zaczynać is imperfective; zacząć expresses beginning as a completed transition.
Your own action
Zaczynam pracę o ósmej.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce zaczynać
Say it
zakhihnatsh
/zatʂɨnatɕ/
In zaczynać, 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 zaczynać normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"to start" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| zaczynać | to start Infinitive or dictionary expression. | Infinitive or dictionary expression. |
| zaczynam | I start First-person singular present. | First-person singular present. |
| zaczynasz | you start Informal second-person singular. | Informal second-person singular. |
| zaczyna | he or she starts Third-person singular. | Third-person singular. |
How to use zaczynać in real life
- 1Your own action
Zaczynam pracę o ósmej.
I start work at eight.
Zaczynam is the form shown for your action in this example.
- 2Speaking to one person
Zaczynasz nowy kurs?
Are you starting a new course?
Use zaczynasz when addressing one person informally; polite address uses third-person grammar.
- 3Another person or situation
Ona zaczyna czytać książkę.
She starts reading a book.
Zaczynać is imperfective; zacząć expresses beginning as a completed transition.
Mistakes English speakers make with zaczynać
Incorrect: Ja zaczynać.
Correct: Ja zaczynam.
Conjugate zaczynać with ja: zaczynam. A bare infinitive cannot express this statement.
Incorrect: Ty zaczynam.
Correct: Ty zaczynasz.
For informal singular ty, the matching form of zaczynać is zaczynasz, rather than the first-person form.
Good to know
Zaczynać is imperfective; zacząć expresses beginning as a completed transition.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Talk about start
Partner
Podaj przykład użycia tego czasownika.
Give an example using this verb.
You
Zaczynam pracę o ósmej.
I start work at eight.
Partner
A jak zapytasz drugą osobę?
And how will you ask another person?
You
Zaczynasz nowy kurs?
Are you starting a new course?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to start" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to start" in Polish
What does zaczynać mean?
Zaczynać is imperfective; zacząć expresses beginning as a completed transition.
How do I use zaczynać with “I”?
The first-person form is zaczynam. For example: Zaczynam pracę o ósmej. — I start work at eight.
How do I ask one person using zaczynać?
Use zaczynasz for informal singular you. Zaczynasz nowy kurs? — Are you starting a new course?
What is the third-person form of zaczynać?
Use zaczyna with a singular subject. Ona zaczyna czytać książkę. — She starts reading a book.
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