Signification
To receive assistance.
Contexte culturel
The 'Solidarność' (Solidarity) movement is a prime historical example of a whole nation trying to 'dostać pomoc' and give it to each other to change the political system. In villages, there is a tradition of 'sąsiedzka pomoc' (neighborly help) where people help each other with harvests or building houses without expecting money. Facebook groups called 'Widzialna Ręka' (Visible Hand) became very popular during the pandemic as places where people could 'dostać pomoc' with shopping or dog walking. There is a strong emphasis on 'unijna pomoc' (EU aid). Many businesses mention they 'dostały pomoc z Unii' in their marketing.
Use 'od' for the source
Always use the preposition 'od' followed by the Genitive case to say who helped you.
Negation changes the case
Remember: 'Dostałem pomoc' (Accusative) but 'Nie dostałem pomocy' (Genitive).
Signification
To receive assistance.
Use 'od' for the source
Always use the preposition 'od' followed by the Genitive case to say who helped you.
Negation changes the case
Remember: 'Dostałem pomoc' (Accusative) but 'Nie dostałem pomocy' (Genitive).
Formal alternative
In a job interview or formal letter, use 'otrzymać pomoc' to sound more professional.
Be specific
Poles appreciate specificity. Instead of just 'dostałem pomoc', say 'dostałem pomoc przy projekcie' or 'dostałem pomoc w nauce'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'dostać' in the past tense (masculine).
Wczoraj ______ pomoc od mojego sąsiada.
The sentence refers to a past event ('wczoraj') and the speaker is masculine.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the grammatically correct sentence:
In negative sentences, the Accusative case ('pomoc') changes to the Genitive case ('pomocy').
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate phrase.
A: Czy naprawiłeś już komputer? B: Tak, ______ od informatyka.
The context implies receiving assistance to fix the computer.
Match the phrase to the register.
Match 'Otrzymać pomoc' with its correct register:
'Otrzymać' is the formal version of 'dostać'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Dostać vs Otrzymać
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWczoraj ______ pomoc od mojego sąsiada.
The sentence refers to a past event ('wczoraj') and the speaker is masculine.
Select the grammatically correct sentence:
In negative sentences, the Accusative case ('pomoc') changes to the Genitive case ('pomocy').
A: Czy naprawiłeś już komputer? B: Tak, ______ od informatyka.
The context implies receiving assistance to fix the computer.
Match 'Otrzymać pomoc' with its correct register:
'Otrzymać' is the formal version of 'dostać'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. It's perfectly fine for daily life and most work situations, but 'otrzymać' is better for very formal writing.
No, that sounds like a literal translation from English and is incorrect in Polish. Use 'dostać' or 'przyjąć'.
'Dostać' is for a one-time completed action. 'Dostawać' is for repeated actions or habits.
You say: 'Dostałem pomoc od niej'.
While 'pomoc' can have a plural 'pomoce' (meaning 'teaching aids' or 'tools'), in the sense of 'assistance', it is almost always used in the singular.
Yes, 'dostać pomoc finansową' is a very common way to say you received a grant or financial aid.
It is feminine. This is why we say 'ta pomoc' or 'szybka pomoc'.
Use the future tense: 'Dostanę pomoc'.
You could say 'ktoś mnie poratował' (someone saved/helped me out) for a more colloquial feel.
Yes, 'dostać pomoc medyczną' is the standard phrase for receiving medical attention.
Expressions liées
udzielić pomocy
contrastTo give/provide help.
szukać pomocy
builds onTo look for help.
potrzebować pomocy
similarTo need help.
odmówić pomocy
contrastTo refuse help.
