wy
pl
en
Change language
Translating...
you (plural), outward‑movement prefix
/vɨ/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A second‑person plural pronoun used to address multiple listeners, and a verbal prefix that creates verbs meaning to move outward or away.
Examples
Czy wy macie już bilety?
Do wy already have tickets?
Wyciągnąć rękę
To wy means to pull the hand outward.
Jak wy się nazywacie?
What are wy's names?
Drodzy wy, proszę o ciszę.
Dear wy, please be quiet.
Kiedy wy przyjedziecie?
When will wy arrive?
Meanings
Usage
Use wy when speaking to two or more people in a neutral context.
Examples
Czy wy macie już bilety?
Do wy already have tickets?
Drodzy wy, proszę o ciszę.
Dear wy, please be quiet.
Jak wy się nazywacie?
What are wy's names?
Czy wy rozumiecie zadanie?
Do wy understand the task?
Proszę, wy podajcie mi klucze.
Please, wy hand me the keys.
Kiedy wy przyjedziecie?
When will wy arrive?
Common mistakes
The pronoun is often confused with singular ty or with the formal pan.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Ty macie bilety?
| Wy macie bilety?
|
| Czy pan rozumie?
| Czy wy rozumiecie?
|
| Ja widzę wy.
| Ja widzę was.
|
Usage
Use wy- to form verbs that describe moving away from a point or outward direction.
Examples
Wyjechać z miasta
To wy means to leave the city.
Wyjść na zewnątrz
To wy means to go outside.
Wyciągnąć rękę
To wy means to pull the hand outward.
Wybrać drogę
To wy means to choose a path away.
Wyłonić się z tłumu
To wy means to emerge from the crowd.
Wyzyskać przewagę
To wy means to gain an advantage outwardly.
Common mistakes
The prefix is sometimes added to verbs that cannot express outward movement, or confused with the prefix od-.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Wy‑zjeść ciastko
| Zjeść ciastko
|
| Wy‑pisać list
| Napisać list
|
| Wy‑zbudować dom
| Zbudować dom
|
Usage
Use wy as the plural you pronoun in everyday speech, and as the outward‑movement prefix to form verbs that indicate moving away.
Common mistakes
The pronoun is often dropped or replaced with singular ty, giving ty for wy.
Etymology
From Proto‑Slavic *vy‑, meaning ‘outward’ or ‘away’.
FAQ
What does wy mean as a pronoun?
wy is the second‑person plural pronoun used to address two or more listeners.
How is wy used in a sentence?
You place wy where you would use you in English, e.g., Czy wy rozumiecie? – Do wy understand?
What is the difference between wy and ty?
wy is plural, while ty is singular; wy refers to many people, ty to one.
What does the prefix wy- indicate?
wy- signals movement away from a point or outward direction, as in wyjechać ‘to leave’.
Can wy- be added to any verb?
wy- is used only with verbs that can express outward movement; not all verbs accept the prefix.
wy derives from Proto‑Slavic vy‑, meaning ‘outward’ or ‘away’.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.