Two Main Verb Conjugations (Imperfective)
Imperfective verbs describe actions that are ongoing, repeated, or not completed. In the present tense, most imperfective verbs follow one of two main patterns for their endings, depending on the verb's stem.
Conjugation 1 (often -a-, -e-, -o- stem): Includes verbs like czytać (to read), robić (to do). 'Ja' ends in -m, 'ty' in -sz, etc.
- Example: czytać -> Ja czytam (I read/am reading), Ty czytasz (You read/are reading), On/Ona/Ono czyta (He/She/It reads/is reading), My czytamy (We read/are reading), Wy czytacie (You read/are reading), Oni/One czytają (They read/are reading).
Conjugation 2 (often consonant or -i/-y stem): Includes verbs like mówić (to speak), widzieć (to see). 'Ja' often ends in -ę/-m (with possible consonant changes), 'ty' in -isz/-ysz, etc.
- Example: mówić -> Ja mówię (I speak/am speaking), Ty mówisz (You speak/are speaking), On/Ona/Ono mówi (He/She/It speaks/is speaking), My mówimy (We speak/am speaking), Wy mówicie (You speak/am speaking), Oni/One mówią (They speak/am speaking).