Conjugation IV (-am, -asz) in Polish

Overview

Conjugation IV features the endings -am, -asz, -a, -amy, -acie, -ają. This pattern is easily recognizable by the -a- vowel throughout all forms. Common verbs in this class include kochać (love), czekać (wait), szukać (search), grać (play), and znać (know). At the A1 level, this is one of the most regular and predictable conjugation patterns.

The hallmark of Conjugation IV is that the infinitive ending -ać maps directly to conjugated forms with -a-: the stem remains unchanged and the personal endings attach cleanly. This makes it arguably the easiest conjugation class to learn. Many of the most common everyday verbs belong to this group.

Because the first person singular ends in -am (not -ę like the other three conjugations), Conjugation IV verbs are immediately identifiable from their first-person form.

How It Works

Conjugation endings

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	-am	-amy
2nd	-asz	-acie
3rd	-a	-ają

Example: kochać (to love)

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	kocham	kochamy
2nd	kochasz	kochacie
3rd	kocha	kochają

Example: czekać (to wait)

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	czekam	czekamy
2nd	czekasz	czekacie
3rd	czeka	czekają

Common Conjugation IV verbs

kochać (love), czekać (wait), szukać (search), grać (play), znać (know), czytać (read), pytać (ask), słuchać (listen)

Examples in Context

Polish	English	Note
Kocham cię.	I love you.	1st person singular
Czekasz na autobus?	Are you waiting for the bus?	2nd person singular
Szukamy hotelu.	We're looking for a hotel.	Gen. object with szukać
Grają w piłkę.	They play football.	3rd person plural
Czytam książkę.	I'm reading a book.	1st person singular
Ona zna odpowiedź.	She knows the answer.	3rd person singular
Pytamy o drogę.	We're asking for directions.	1st person plural
Słuchacie muzyki?	Are you listening to music?	2nd person plural
Nie czekam dłużej.	I'm not waiting any longer.	Negation
Kochają swoich rodziców.	They love their parents.	3rd person plural

Common Mistakes

Using -ę instead of -am

• Wrong: Kochę cię.
• Right: Kocham cię.
• Why: Conjugation IV uses -am in the first person, not -ę. This is the key distinguishing feature.

Confusing conjugation class for -ać verbs

• Wrong: Assuming all -ać verbs follow Conjugation IV.
• Right: Some -ać verbs follow Conjugation I: pisać → piszę, not pisam.
• Why: The infinitive ending alone is not sufficient. Always check the first person singular form.

Wrong preposition with szukać and czekać

• Wrong: Szukam dla hotelu. or Czekam autobus.
• Right: Szukam hotelu. (gen.) / Czekam na autobus. (na + acc.)
• Why: Szukać takes a direct genitive object; czekać requires na + accusative.

Usage Notes

Conjugation IV verbs are used consistently across all registers. The pattern is so regular that there are essentially no exceptions to memorize within the class itself.

Practice Tips

1. Collect all the Conjugation IV verbs you know and conjugate them in a list. Notice how the stem never changes.
2. Practice distinguishing Conjugation IV from Conjugation I by checking the first person: -am (IV) vs. -ę (I).
3. Use Conjugation IV verbs in mini-dialogues about daily life: Czekam na ciebie. Szukam restauracji. Gram w gry.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Personal Pronouns -- pronouns pair with conjugation endings