polski · B2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Reported speech
Adjust pronouns and perspective while using że, czy, żeby, or infinitive structures for statements, questions, and commands.
Understand the choice
Polish does not require English-style tense backshift. Relative time and aspect remain central, while pronouns and deictic words adapt to the reporter’s perspective.
Core rule: Statements use że, yes/no questions czy, content questions retain their word, and reported requests/commands often use żeby or infinitive.
Notice it in context
Powiedziała, że pracuje zdalnie i skończy raport wieczorem.
She said that she works remotely and will finish the report in the evening.
Powiedziała sets source; że introduces content; pracuje present and skończy perfective future preserve timeline.
Zapytał: „Czy masz czas?” → Zapytał, czy mam czas.
He asked, “Do you have time?” → He asked whether I had time.
Czy introduces reported yes/no question without forced past shift.
Poprosiła: „Wyślij dokument”. → Poprosiła, żebym wysłał dokument.
She asked, “Send the document.” → She asked me to send it.
Żebym marks subordinate first person; wysłał agrees male reporter/actor.
What to remember
- Dzisiaj/jutro may shift to tego dnia/następnego dnia when context changes.
- Mówić że reports content; powiedzieć komuś marks a bounded message.
Common trap: Do not mechanically turn every reported present into past.