I am currently using Duolingo as a supplement to understanding and speaking the Polish language. I have, however, stumbled upon an issue in discerning the verbs (iść) and another which I do not know the root of. Duolingo considers these two verbs synonymous, yet fails my answers to questions in which they are prompted. The pictures attached will hopefully explain what I mean. Why are both verbs used as "to go"
and "to walk," yet sometimes are not deemed correct in these questions? Is it context? Conjugation?
I would really like some help in resolving this matter. It's making it very confusing.
The problem is with duo and not you. I've used duolingo but they are very erratic in terms of translations and very slow to correct mistakes (if they ever get corrected).
I really appreciate your answer. As a follow-up- are these two verbs interchangeable in standard conversation? Are there situations when one is more appropriate than the other? Perhaps (iść) is more generally "to go" and the other is more used for specifically "to walk" (y'know, to actually "walk" somewhere)?
iść means specifically to walk - if you are using some means of transport you use the verb jechać - you don't say . Idę samochodem but Jadę samochodem.
you don't say . Idę samochodem but Jadę samochodem.
In English, we are far less directionally specific than in Polish!
i.e. (literally) " I fly [this one time] off to Poland".
In addition, if one wishes to indicate "going" ON FOOT vs. some other way, such as taking the bus, one may, of course simply use "isc"/"pojsc" pieszo or piechota!
Predzej poszedlbym pieszo niz przyjechal z autobusem. = I'd sooner [rather] go on foot than take the bus.
Thank you for that explanation Lyzko.
My American butchering of the English language has repeatedly been corrected by Polish members here.
At first I didn't understand how they cross all the "t's" and dot all the "I's".
Now with your further explanation I get how I was confusing them.
"Directional specific" is the correct answer for verbs.
Go - chodzić, iść but also jechać so ' Jadę do Polski' is general enough if you don't want to mention the means of transport.
As for flying I'd rather say Lecę do Polski but Mój samolot odlatuje z lotniska x.
@Thank you, Johnny and kaprys!
You're welcome, sir! One never stops learning about their native language included.
He WENT by car to the restaurant. = On przyjechal do restauracji (..no need to mention "..ze samochodem.."!!).
The bus/train already left. = Autobus/Pociag juz odjechal.
My memory occasionally needs to be jogged, thanks!
We don't really use 'z' with means of transport. It's not like in German.
"Interesuje nowymi samochodami". etc.. and such. Right, German would have required one. Just confused the two for a sec.
Need to proofread extra before I click "post message":-) Apologies, just a typo, but nonetheless, a mistake.