5. Instrumental case with nouns

Instrumental (Narzędnik) is the fifth grammatical case in Polish. It relates to the preposition „z” (‘with’) and answers the questions: „z kim?” (‘with whom?’) and „z czym?” (‘with what?’).

Instrumental is used in these situations:

1. After the phrase ‘to be’ when talking about nationality, profession, relationships

On jest moim mężem. (‘He is my husband.’)
Kasia jest nauczycielką. (‘Kasia is a teacher.’)
Marek i Asia są Polakami. (‘Marek and Asia are Poles.’)

2. After the preposition: z (‘with’) and prepositions describing the location of the object/person: pod (‘under’), między (‘between’), nad (‘over’), za (‘behind’), przed (‘in front of’/’before’)

Chleb z masłem. – (‘A bread with butter.’)
Regał jest za kanapą. – (‘The bookcase is behind the couch.’)
Kot siedzi między kanapą, a oknem. – (The cat is sitting between couch and window.’)

3. When talking about means of transportation:

Lecę samolotem. (‘I am flying by the plane.’)
Jadę samochodem. (‘I am riding a car.’)

4. When talking about tools:

Marek kroi chleb nożem. (‘Marek is cutting the bread by knife.’)

5. When talking about movements of body parts:

Ania poruszyła głową. ('Ania moved her head.')
Zamachał ręką. ('He waved his hand.')