polski · A1 · verb · 4 minutes
Iść: present tense
Use a suppletive present for one directed trip on foot.
Understand the choice
Polish distinguishes one current directed walk from habitual or multidirectional chodzenie. Pair iść with do + genitive destinations and na + accusative events/places.
Core rule: Iść has idę, idziesz, idzie, idziemy, idziecie, idą and describes one directed movement on foot.
Notice it in context
Idę do sklepu, a dzieci idą do szkoły.
I am going to the shop, and the children are going to school.
Idę is first singular; idą agrees with dzieci; both destinations follow do in genitive.
Idziesz dziś do parku?
Are you going to the park today?
Idziesz agrees with ty; do parku is destination.
Idziemy na koncert pieszo.
We are walking to the concert.
Idziemy is one directed trip; na koncert accusative; pieszo manner.
What to remember
- Chodzę do pracy means I go regularly; idę do pracy means I am going now.
- The past forms went are gendered: szedłem/szłam.
Common trap: Do not use iść for travel by vehicle; use jechać.