Demystifying DOBRZE, DOBRA, DOBRE, and DOBRY in Polish: When to Use Them

When you’re learning Polish, it can be confusing to use the words “dobrze,” “dobre,” “dobra,” and “dobry” correctly. In this blog post, we’ll explore this topic to help you understand it better. Let’s solve the puzzle together!

The Usage of “dobry”:

“Dobry” is an adjective used to describe a noun and it means “good”. For example, you can say “dobry film” (good movie) or “dobry sok” (good juice). 

Furthermore, “dobry” can adapt to feminine and neuter nouns. When describing feminine nouns (those which end in -a), you would employ “dobra,” and for neuter nouns (those which end in -o or -e), “dobre” is the appropriate form. You can say for example: “dobra kawa” or “dobre piwo.”

The Usage of “dobrze”:

Now, let’s shift our focus to “dobrze,” which functions as an adverb meaning “well.” This word comes into play when describing verbs or actions. For instance, you could say “Śpiewam dobrze” (I sing well). or “Nie mówię dobrze po polsku” (I don’t speak Polish well). We never change the ending for the word “dobrze”.

Additionally, “dobrze” carries the meaning of “fine” or “OK.” In everyday conversations, it serves as a response to express agreement or acceptance. For instance, if someone asks, “Czy możemy spotkać się dzisiaj?” (Can we meet today?), a simple “dobrze” would signify your agreement or approval.

The informal “dobrze” (when it means: fine/OK) is “dobra”. For instance, if a friend asks, “Czy możemy spotkać się dzisiaj?” (Can we meet today?), a relaxed and informal “dobra” would express your agreement or acceptance.

Etiquette Tip:

When visiting shops or restaurants, it’s important to remember that “dobrze” is the preferred choice. Using “dobra” might come across as too informal in such contexts.

Conclusion:

Remember that “dobry”, “dobra”, “dobre” are adjectives to describe nouns. The meaning is “good”. “Dobrze” describes verbs and actions. The meaning is “well”. “Dobrze” means also “fine/ OK”. “Dobra” serves as an informal expression of “dobrze” (fine/OK). Let me know if you have any questions or doubts!