The Dative Case: To Whom? For Whom?
The Dative case is used to indicate the indirect object of a verb – kòmù or dlô kògò an action is done. It is also used after certain verbs and prepositions. Its main purpose is to show the recipient of something or the beneficiary of an action.
Nouns: Endings change based on gender and hard/soft stem.
- Singular Masculine/Neuter: hard -ù or -owi, soft -u or -ewi. (e.g., bratu - to a brother, dóm ùczëcélowi - I give to a teacher, sélku - to a small village, pòlu - to a field).
- Singular Feminine: hard -e or -i, soft -i. (e.g., sostrze - to a sister, zemii - to land).
- Plural (all genders): hard/soft -óm or -ewóm. (e.g., bratóm - to brothers, ùczëcélewóm - to teachers, sostróm - to sisters, zemióm - to lands, séłkóm - to small villages, pòlóm - to fields).
Adjectives:
- Singular Masculine/Neuter: hard -émù, soft -émù. (e.g., dobrémù bratu - to a good brother, juńdzémù ùczëcélowi - to a different teacher, dobrémù sélku - to a good small village).
- Singular Feminine: hard -i, soft -i. (e.g., dobri sostrze - to a good sister, juńdzi zemii - to different land).
- Plural (all genders): hard/soft -im. (e.g., dobrim bratóm - to good brothers, juńdzim ùczëcélewóm - to different teachers, dobrim sostróm - to good sisters).
Examples: Dôj knégã bratu__ (Give the book to the brother). Gôdóm sztudéntóm__ (I am speaking to the students). Jdã do sostrë__ (I am going to the sister). Piszę lëst __stôrszémù** (I am writing a letter to the parent - singular example).