Home › Lessons › Word formation & prefixes
B2 · Upper-intermediate · Lesson 27
Word formation & prefixes
Bolt a prefix on a verb and unlock a new word.
Polish builds verbs by adding prefixes to a base. Each prefix adds a shade — out, through, again, a little — and almost always makes the verb perfective. Learn the prefixes once and dozens of verbs open up from each root.
| Prefix on pisać | Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| na- | napisać | write (finish) |
| pod- | podpisać | sign |
| prze- | przepisać | rewrite / copy |
| za- | zapisać | note down / save |
| wy- | wypisać | write out |
- •Most prefixes also make the verb perfective.
- •The root gives the action; the prefix gives the spin.
Advertisement
Muszę podpisać dokument.
I have to sign the document.
Przepisz to zdanie.
Rewrite this sentence.
Zapisz numer.
Note down the number.
Napisałem już e-mail.
I've already written the email.
Wypisz wszystkie słowa.
Write out all the words.
🧠 Tactic — When you meet a new prefixed verb, split it: prze + pisać. The root tells you the action, the prefix the direction.
⚠️ Watch out — A prefix usually makes the verb perfective, so it loses its present tense — przepisać is perfective; its imperfective partner is przepisywać.
Quick check
Adding a prefix usually makes a verb…
pisać → napisać becomes perfective.
'to sign' (from pisać):
pod- + pisać = podpisać (to sign).
Practice
Now produce the answers yourself — type them, choose the form, or build the sentence.
pisać + na- =
'to sign' =
'note down' (za- + pisać):
Adding a prefix usually makes a verb…
Say: I have to sign the document.
Advertisement