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Vocabulary
dokonywać

B1 verb 10 min read

dokonywać

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dokonywać in 30 Seconds

Explanation dokonywać in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually won't use the word 'dokonywać' yourself. It's a bit too formal for a beginner. You will mostly use 'robić' (to do/make). However, you might see 'dokonywać' on signs or in apps. For example, 'dokonywać płatności' means 'to make a payment'. At this stage, just recognize that if a word looks like 'dokonywać', it probably means 'doing' something important or official. Don't worry about the grammar yet, just focus on the meaning in simple contexts like shopping or using a computer. It is a long word, but the 'do-' prefix often relates to finishing or reaching a goal in Polish, which can help you remember it's about 'doing' something significant. You might see it in a phrase like 'dokonywać wyboru' (making a choice) in a simple game or app. If you see it, just think 'performing an action'.

At the A2 level, you should start noticing 'dokonywać' in more contexts. You might encounter it in reading exercises about work or shopping. You'll learn that it's more formal than 'robić'. For example, instead of saying 'robię zakupy' (I'm doing shopping), a formal text might say 'dokonywać zakupów'. The key thing to learn at A2 is that this word is followed by the Genitive case. So, it's not 'dokonywać wybór', but 'dokonywać wyboru'. You might use it in simple formal letters or when describing a process at work. It's a great word to use if you want to sound slightly more polite or professional. You'll also see the perfective version 'dokonać' in past tense sentences, like 'Dokonałem wpłaty' (I made a deposit). Start trying to use it with 'wybór' (choice) and 'zmiana' (change) to improve your vocabulary range. It helps you move away from using 'robić' for everything.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'dokonywać' correctly in formal and semi-formal situations. You should understand the difference between 'dokonywać' (imperfective - the process) and 'dokonać' (perfective - the finished result). This is the level where you start writing more complex essays or giving presentations. Using 'dokonywać analizy' (performing an analysis) or 'dokonywać przeglądu' (carrying out a review) will significantly boost your grade or professional standing. You should also be comfortable with the Genitive case that follows it. You will hear this word often in the news and should be able to understand the context—whether it's about making arrests, making discoveries, or making changes to a law. It's a 'bridge' word that takes you from basic communication to more academic or professional Polish. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'dokonywać cudów' (to perform miracles) or 'dokonywać transakcji' (to perform a transaction).

At the B2 level, 'dokonywać' should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use it fluently in discussions about society, economy, and science. You understand that 'dokonywać' implies a deliberate, often methodical action. You can distinguish it from synonyms like 'przeprowadzać' (conduct) or 'wykonywać' (execute/perform physically). At this level, you might use the reflexive form 'dokonywać się' to describe abstract processes, like 'W gospodarce dokonują się wielkie zmiany' (Great changes are taking place in the economy). You are also aware of the stylistic weight of the word—you know not to use it in casual conversation about making coffee, but you use it confidently when discussing a project at work or a political event. Your grammar should be flawless here, always using the Genitive case without thinking. You can also handle the noun form 'dokonywanie' (the act of performing) in complex sentence structures.

At the C1 level, you use 'dokonywać' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its nuances in legal, medical, and technical Polish. You might use it to describe internal psychological processes, like 'dokonywać introspekcji' (performing introspection) or 'dokonywać przewartościowania' (performing a re-evaluation of values). You are comfortable with its use in passive-like structures and official regulations. You can also appreciate how authors use 'dokonywać' in literature to lend a sense of gravity or formality to a character's actions. Your understanding of the aspectual relationship between 'dokonywać' and 'dokonać' is complete, allowing you to describe ongoing versus completed actions with subtle accuracy. You might also use it in more idiomatic or rare collocations, like 'dokonywać żywota' (to pass away/end one's life—a very formal/literary expression). You recognize the word's role in creating a professional or academic 'tone' in your writing.

At the C2 level, 'dokonywać' is a tool you use to master the 'high' register of Polish. You can use it in philosophical discourse or high-level legal drafting. You understand its historical development and how it relates to other words in the 'konać' family (like 'wykonać', 'skonać'). You can use it to create complex, multi-layered sentences where the process of 'dokonywanie' is contrasted with other types of action. You are also aware of the most obscure uses and can identify when a writer is using the word ironically or for specific rhetorical effect. For a C2 learner, 'dokonywać' is not just a verb; it's a marker of high-level literacy. You can discuss the subtle differences between 'dokonywanie czynu' (performing a deed) and 'popełnienie czynu' (committing a deed, often used for crimes), showing a deep grasp of legal and moral nuances. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dokonywać in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to perform, execute, or make (especially choices or changes).
It is imperfective, focusing on the process or repeated action rather than the result.
Always requires the Genitive case (Dopełniacz) for the object that follows it.
Common in banking, law, science, and news to describe official or serious tasks.

The Polish verb dokonywać is a sophisticated and versatile term that English speakers often translate as 'to perform,' 'to execute,' 'to accomplish,' or 'to make' (in specific contexts like 'making a choice'). While a beginner might use the simple verb robić (to do/make) for almost everything, a B1 learner and beyond starts to use dokonywać to sound more professional, precise, and native-like. It is the imperfective partner to the perfective dokonać. Understanding this word is key to unlocking formal Polish, academic discussions, and legal or administrative language.

Formal Action: Used when describing the process of carrying out a significant task, such as an analysis, a repair, or a transaction.

Decision Making: Frequently paired with 'wybór' (choice) to describe the ongoing or repeated act of choosing between options.

Lekarze codziennie dokonywali trudnych wyborów moralnych w czasie pandemii.

Doctors were making difficult moral choices daily during the pandemic.

One of the most important things to remember is that dokonywać almost always requires the Genitive case (dopełniacz). While in English we 'make a change' (direct object), in Polish, we 'perform of a change.' This structural difference is a common stumbling block for learners. You don't just 'do' the thing; you are in the process of bringing it into reality. Because it is imperfective, it emphasizes the duration, the repetition, or the fact that the action was in progress at a certain time.

System automatycznie dokonywał aktualizacji oprogramowania co tydzień.

The system was automatically performing software updates every week.

In everyday life, you will encounter this word at the bank (dokonywać wpłaty - making a deposit), at the store (dokonywać zakupu - making a purchase), and in the news (dokonywać odkrycia - making a discovery). It elevates your speech from the playground to the office. If you are describing a process that takes time and effort, dokonywać is your best friend. It suggests a methodical approach to a task, whether it is a scientific experiment or a complex bureaucratic procedure.

Transformation: Used when describing the act of changing something fundamentally, such as 'dokonywać zmian' (making changes).

Naukowiec dokonywał pomiarów przez całą noc.

The scientist was taking measurements all night long.

Policja dokonywała przeszukania mieszkania podejrzanego.

The police were carrying out a search of the suspect's apartment.

Using dokonywać correctly involves more than just knowing its meaning; it requires a grasp of Polish syntax, specifically the Genitive case. Unlike 'robić', which usually takes the Accusative (Biernik), dokonywać is part of a group of verbs that demand the Genitive (Dopełniacz). This means that the noun following the verb must change its ending accordingly. For example, 'zmiana' (change) becomes 'zmian' (plural genitive) or 'zmiany' (singular genitive).

The 'What' (Genitive Case): Always ask 'kogo? czego?' after the verb. Dokonywać (czego?) -> wyboru, wpłaty, analizy, przeglądu.

Musimy regularnie dokonywać przeglądu naszych celów życiowych.

We must regularly carry out a review of our life goals.

As an imperfective verb, dokonywać is used for habits, ongoing actions, or descriptions of events in progress. If you are talking about a single, completed act, you must switch to dokonać. For instance, if you are currently in the booth voting, you are dokonywać wyboru. Once you have dropped the ballot in the box, you have dokonał wyboru. This distinction is crucial for conveying the correct timeline of events in Polish.

Podczas podróży dokonywałem wielu ciekawych obserwacji.

During the journey, I was making many interesting observations.

In business and legal Polish, you will see this verb used with reflexive pronouns or in passive-like constructions. It is often found in instructions. For example, 'Dokonywać wpłaty należy na podany numer konta' (Payments should be made to the provided account number). Here, the infinitive serves as a command or a general rule. It sounds much more authoritative than using a simpler verb.

Collocation: Dokonywać cudów: Literally 'to perform miracles'. Used both religiously and figuratively to describe someone doing something incredibly difficult.

Ta nowa maść dokonuje cudów z moją skórą!

This new ointment is performing miracles with my skin!

Finally, consider the register. If you are talking to a friend about making a sandwich, do not use dokonywać. It would sound hilariously over-dramatic, like you are performing a sacred culinary ritual. Save dokonywać for when the action has weight, complexity, or a formal requirement. It is the verb of scientists, judges, accountants, and people making life-altering decisions.

Rząd dokonuje przeglądu wydatków publicznych.

The government is carrying out a review of public spending.

If you turn on the Polish news channel TVN24 or read a broadsheet like 'Rzeczpospolita', you will encounter dokonywać almost every few minutes. It is a staple of journalistic and administrative prose. Reporters use it to describe police actions, legislative changes, or economic shifts. It provides a sense of objectivity and professionalism to the reportage.

In the Media: Reports on 'dokonywanie aresztowań' (making arrests) or 'dokonywanie zmian w ustawie' (making changes to a law).

Dziennikarze dokonywali analizy wyników wyborów przez całą noc.

Journalists were performing an analysis of the election results all night.

Another common place is in the banking and e-commerce world. Every time you use an ATM or an online banking app in Poland, you will see buttons or messages about dokonywanie transakcji (performing transactions) or dokonywanie płatności (making payments). It is the standard technical term for these actions. If you were to use 'robienie' here, it would sound unprofessional and potentially untrustworthy to a Polish user.

Proszę nie wyłączać komputera podczas dokonywania aktualizacji.

Please do not turn off the computer while performing the update.

In academic settings, dokonywać is indispensable. Whether a student is writing a thesis or a professor is lecturing on biology, they will 'dokonywać podziału' (making a division/classification) or 'dokonywać obserwacji' (making observations). It signals that the action is part of a rigorous, scientific methodology. Even in literature, an author might use it to describe a character's internal process of dokonywanie rozrachunku z przeszłością (coming to terms with the past—literally 'performing a settlement').

Professional Services: Mechanics 'dokonują napraw' (perform repairs), and doctors 'dokonują oględzin' (perform examinations).

Mechanik dokonywał naprawy silnika, gdy nagle zgasło światło.

The mechanic was performing an engine repair when the light suddenly went out.

Lastly, you will hear it in official announcements—at train stations, airports, or in government buildings. 'Prosimy o dokonywanie odprawy online' (We ask you to perform check-in online). It is the language of instruction and order. By learning this word, you are not just learning a verb; you are learning how to navigate the formal structures of Polish society with confidence and clarity.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with dokonywać is using the wrong grammatical case for the object. In English, we 'make a choice' (Accusative). In Polish, you must use the Genitive. Saying 'dokonywać wybór' (Accusative) instead of 'dokonywać wyboru' (Genitive) is a classic 'foreigner' mistake that is immediately noticeable to native speakers. Always remember: dokonywać czegoś, not dokonywać coś.

Case Error: Incorrect: Dokonywać zakupy. Correct: Dokonywać zakupów (Genitive plural).

Błąd: On dokonywał wybór. Poprawnie: On dokonywał wyboru.

Error: He was making a choice. Correct: He was making a choice (using Genitive).

Another common pitfall is 'over-formalizing' daily life. Because dokonywać sounds sophisticated, students often use it where robić or wykonywać would be more appropriate. If you say 'Dokonuję mycia naczyń' (I am performing the washing of the dishes), you will get some strange looks. It sounds like you are treating a chore as a high-stakes scientific experiment. Use it for significant actions, not mundane tasks.

Błąd: Dokonuję obiadu. Poprawnie: Robię obiad.

Error: I am performing dinner. Correct: I am making dinner.

Aspect confusion is the third major hurdle. Learners often use dokonywać (imperfective) when they mean that an action was successfully completed. If the result is what matters, you need dokonać (perfective). For example, 'Dokonałem odkrycia' means 'I made a discovery' (it's done). 'Dokonywałem odkrycia' means 'I was in the process of making a discovery' (perhaps it was interrupted). Using the wrong aspect can lead to confusion about whether the task was actually finished.

Aspect Error: Using 'dokonywać' for a one-time completed transaction at a store instead of 'dokonać'.

Wczoraj dokonałem (nie: dokonywałem) ostatecznego wyboru.

Yesterday I made (not: was making) the final choice.

Finally, be careful with the reflexive form. While dokonywać się exists (meaning 'to happen' or 'to take place'), it is much less common than the active form. Beginners sometimes add się unnecessarily. 'Zmiany dokonują się' (Changes are taking place) is correct, but 'Ja dokonuję się wyboru' is nonsense. Stick to the active form unless you are describing an automatic or historical process.

Polish has a rich array of verbs that overlap with dokonywać. Knowing which one to pick depends on the context and the level of formality you want to achieve. The most common alternative is robić, but as we've discussed, it's often too informal. Let's look at some more nuanced synonyms.

Wykonywać vs Dokonywać: 'Wykonywać' is often used for physical or technical tasks (performing a dance, executing a command, doing exercises). 'Dokonywać' is more about the 'act' or 'achievement' (making a choice, performing an analysis).

On wykonuje polecenia szefa, ale dokonuje własnych wyborów.

He executes (wykonuje) the boss's orders, but makes (dokonuje) his own choices.

Another strong alternative is przeprowadzać (to conduct/carry out). This is specifically used for processes that have a start, middle, and end, like an interview, a survey, or an experiment. While you can 'dokonywać analizy', you 'przeprowadzasz wywiad'. 'Dokonywać' feels more like an abstract 'effecting' of something, while 'przeprowadzać' feels like 'leading' a process through its steps.

Naukowcy przeprowadzają testy, aby dokonać przełomu.

Scientists are conducting (przeprowadzają) tests to make (dokonać) a breakthrough.

Then there is czynić. This is a very literary, almost poetic or biblical word. You might 'czynić dobro' (do good) or 'czynić postępy' (make progress). It is much rarer in spoken Polish than dokonywać. If dokonywać is the language of the office, czynić is the language of the pulpit or the epic novel. Using czynić in a business meeting would sound very archaic and strange.

Realizować: Used for 'realizing' or 'implementing' plans, projects, or dreams. 'Dokonywać' is the act of making it happen, 'realizować' is the process of bringing a plan to life.

Firma realizuje nową strategię, dokonując przy tym cięć budżetowych.

The company is implementing (realizuje) a new strategy, while making (dokonując) budget cuts.

In summary, choose robić for everyday tasks, wykonywać for technical execution, przeprowadzać for structured processes, realizować for plans, and dokonywać for formal acts, choices, and significant achievements. Mastering these distinctions will make your Polish sound nuanced and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Although 'konać' now primarily means 'to be dying' in modern Polish, its roots are all about 'completing' life. 'Dokonywać' preserves the older meaning of completing a task.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɔ.kɔˈnɨ.vat͡ɕ/

US /doʊ.koʊˈnɪ.vɑːtʃ/

Penultimate (second to last syllable): do-ko-NY-wać.

Rhymes With

ukrywać odkrywać porywać zgrywać nazywać przebywać pływać używać

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'y' like English 'ee'. It should be more like the 'i' in 'sit'.
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., first or last).
Making the 'ć' sound like a hard 't' or 'ts'.
Failing to pronounce the 'w' as a 'v' sound.
Merging the two 'o' sounds into one long vowel.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context due to its formal structure.

Writing 5/5

Difficult because it requires the Genitive case correctly.

Speaking 6/5

Hard to use spontaneously without sounding too formal or making case errors.

Listening 4/5

Common in news and media, so good for listening practice.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

robić wybór zmiana koniec wpłata

Learn Next

dokonać wykonywać przeprowadzać realizować czynić

Advanced

egzekwować implementować wdrażać uskuteczniać

Grammar to Know

Genitive Case After Certain Verbs

Dokonywać (czego?) wyboru.

Imperfective vs Perfective Aspect

Dokonywać (ongoing) vs Dokonać (finished).

Reflexive Verbs (-się)

Zmiany dokonują się (Changes are happening).

Gerund formation (-nie)

Dokonywanie (The act of performing).

Impersonal Past Tense (-no/-to)

Dokonywano zmian (Changes were being made).

Examples by Level

On dokonuje wyboru.

He is making a choice.

Uses 'dokonywać' + Genitive 'wyboru'.

Dokonuję wpłaty w banku.

I am making a deposit at the bank.

Simple present tense.

Czy dokonujesz zakupu?

Are you making a purchase?

Question form.

System dokonuje aktualizacji.

The system is performing an update.

Third person singular.

Oni dokonują zmian.

They are making changes.

Plural form.

Nie dokonuj tego teraz.

Don't do/perform this now.

Imperative (negative).

Dokonujemy rezerwacji.

We are making a reservation.

First person plural.

Ona dokonuje pomiaru.

She is taking a measurement.

Genitive 'pomiaru'.

Musisz dokonywać płatności na czas.

You must make payments on time.

Infinitive after 'musisz'.

Często dokonujemy zakupów online.

We often make purchases online.

Adverb 'często' with imperfective.

Lekarz dokonuje badania pacjenta.

The doctor is performing an examination of the patient.

Formal context.

Oni dokonywali naprawy samochodu.

They were performing a car repair.

Past tense imperfective.

Zawsze dokonuję wyboru rano.

I always make a choice in the morning.

Habitual action.

Czy dokonujecie zmian w planie?

Are you (plural) making changes to the plan?

Plural question.

Policja dokonuje kontroli drogowej.

The police are performing a road check.

Official action.

Nie dokonujemy zwrotów towaru.

We do not perform returns of goods.

Negative statement.

Naukowiec dokonuje ważnej analizy danych.

The scientist is performing an important data analysis.

Academic context.

Podczas eksperymentu dokonywano wielu obserwacji.

During the experiment, many observations were being made.

Impersonal past form.

Musimy dokonywać regularnych przeglądów technicznych.

We must carry out regular technical inspections.

Adjective + Noun in Genitive.

On dokonywał cudów, żeby zdążyć na czas.

He was performing miracles to make it on time.

Idiomatic use.

W tym biurze dokonuje się wielu transakcji.

Many transactions take place in this office.

Reflexive 'dokonuje się'.

Rząd dokonuje przeglądu nowej ustawy.

The government is performing a review of the new law.

Political context.

Dokonywanie wyborów to trudna sztuka.

Making choices is a difficult art.

Gerund 'Dokonywanie'.

Oni dokonywali przeszukania terenu przez dwie godziny.

They were carrying out a search of the area for two hours.

Duration expressed with imperfective.

Firma dokonuje restrukturyzacji, aby uniknąć bankructwa.

The company is performing a restructuring to avoid bankruptcy.

Business terminology.

W społeczeństwie dokonują się gwałtowne przemiany.

Rapid transformations are taking place in society.

Reflexive use for abstract process.

Należy dokonywać wpłat wyłącznie na konto fundacji.

Payments should be made exclusively to the foundation's account.

Formal instruction.

Dokonywaliśmy oceny ryzyka przed każdą decyzją.

We were performing risk assessments before every decision.

Professional past tense.

System automatycznie dokonuje korekty błędów.

The system automatically performs error correction.

Technical context.

Oni dokonywali sabotażu w fabryce.

They were performing sabotage in the factory.

Stronger verb than 'robić'.

Czy dokonywałeś kiedyś analizy własnych błędów?

Have you ever performed an analysis of your own mistakes?

Introspective question.

Komisja dokonuje przesłuchania świadków.

The commission is performing the questioning of witnesses.

Legal/Official context.

Autor dokonuje w książce dekonstrukcji mitów narodowych.

The author performs a deconstruction of national myths in the book.

Literary analysis.

W miarę postępu prac dokonywano korekt projektu.

As the work progressed, adjustments to the project were being made.

Impersonal past 'dokonywano'.

Pacjentka powoli dokonuje rozrachunku z przeszłością.

The patient is slowly coming to terms with the past.

Metaphorical/Psychological use.

Dokonywanie nadużyć finansowych jest surowo karane.

Committing financial abuses is strictly punished.

Legal gerund.

Historycy dokonują reinterpretacji faktów z XVII wieku.

Historians are performing a reinterpretation of 17th-century facts.

Academic historiography.

Urząd dokonuje weryfikacji tożsamości aplikantów.

The office is performing verification of the applicants' identities.

Bureaucratic procedure.

W jego umyśle dokonywała się powolna przemiana.

A slow transformation was taking place in his mind.

Reflexive imperfective.

Nie wolno dokonywać żadnych zmian bez zgody zarządu.

No changes may be made without the board's consent.

Prohibitive formal rule.

Filozof dokonuje ontologicznego rozróżnienia między bytem a nicością.

The philosopher performs an ontological distinction between being and nothingness.

Highly academic/philosophical.

W toku ewolucji dokonywały się subtelne adaptacje gatunkowe.

In the course of evolution, subtle species adaptations were taking place.

Scientific/Reflexive.

Prokurator zarzucił mu dokonywanie czynów o charakterze pedofilskim.

The prosecutor accused him of committing acts of a pedophilic nature.

Formal legal terminology.

Starzec dokonywał żywota w otoczeniu najbliższej rodziny.

The old man was passing away surrounded by his closest family.

Archaic/Literary idiom.

Dokonywanie egzegezy tekstów sakralnych wymaga ogromnej wiedzy.

Performing the exegesis of sacred texts requires vast knowledge.

Theological context.

Wiersz dokonuje swoistej syntezy tradycji i nowoczesności.

The poem performs a unique synthesis of tradition and modernity.

Literary criticism.

Organizm nieustannie dokonuje procesów metabolicznych.

The organism constantly performs metabolic processes.

Biological accuracy.

Rząd dokonuje swoistej ekwilibrystyki budżetowej.

The government is performing a kind of budgetary balancing act.

Metaphorical/Journalistic.

Synonyms

wykonywać przeprowadzać robić realizować czynić uskuteczniać wypełniać popełniać

Antonyms

zaniechać przerywać ignorować niszczyć

Common Collocations

dokonywać wyboru

dokonywać wpłaty

dokonywać zmian

dokonywać analizy

dokonywać przeglądu

dokonywać odkrycia

dokonywać naprawy

dokonywać pomiaru

dokonywać cudów

dokonywać transakcji

Common Phrases

dokonywać rezerwacji

— To be in the process of making a reservation.

Właśnie dokonuję rezerwacji biletów.

dokonywać selekcji

— To perform a selection or filtering process.

Trener dokonuje selekcji zawodników.

dokonywać weryfikacji

— To perform a verification or check.

System dokonuje weryfikacji hasła.

dokonywać podziału

— To make a division or classification.

Dokonujemy podziału obowiązków w grupie.

dokonywać oceny

— To perform an evaluation or assessment.

Nauczyciel dokonuje oceny prac uczniów.

dokonywać oględzin

— To perform an inspection or examination (often medical/forensic).

Lekarz dokonuje oględzin rany.

dokonywać zakupów

— To be doing shopping (more formal than 'robić zakupy').

W wolnym czasie dokonuję zakupów.

dokonywać korekty

— To make corrections or adjustments.

Redaktor dokonuje korekty tekstu.

dokonywać obliczeń

— To perform calculations.

Komputer dokonuje obliczeń w ułamku sekundy.

dokonywać rejestracji

— To perform a registration.

Uczestnicy dokonują rejestracji w recepcji.

Often Confused With

dokonywać vs robić

Robić is casual; dokonywać is formal and requires Genitive.

dokonywać vs wykonywać

Wykonywać is for technical execution; dokonywać is for formal acts/choices.

dokonywać vs dokonać

Dokonać is the perfective (completed) version; dokonywać is imperfective (ongoing).

Idioms & Expressions

"dokonywać cudów"

— To do something seemingly impossible or achieve amazing results.

Moja babcia dokonuje cudów w kuchni.

Colloquial/Positive

"dokonywać żywota"

— A very formal or literary way to say someone is dying or passing away.

Stary król dokonywał żywota w swoim zamku.

Literary/Archaic

"dokonywać niemożliwego"

— To perform the impossible.

Ten zespół dokonuje niemożliwego na boisku.

Metaphorical

"dokonywać rozrachunku"

— To settle accounts, often used metaphorically for reflecting on one's past.

Pisarz dokonuje rozrachunku z własnym życiem.

Literary

"dokonywać przełomu"

— To make a breakthrough (usually in science or a career).

Młoda badaczka dokonuje właśnie przełomu w medycynie.

Journalistic

"dokonywać rewolucji"

— To revolutionize something or make radical changes.

Ten wynalazek dokonuje rewolucji w transporcie.

Journalistic

"dokonywać wyboru mniejszego zła"

— To choose the lesser of two evils.

Politycy często muszą dokonywać wyboru mniejszego zła.

Formal

"dokonywać cudów zręczności"

— To perform feats of great skill or agility.

Cyrkowiec dokonywał cudów zręczności na linie.

Descriptive

"dokonywać aktów wandalizmu"

— To commit acts of vandalism (formal police/legal term).

Grupa młodzieży dokonywała aktów wandalizmu w parku.

Formal/Legal

"dokonywać samogwałtu"

— A formal/medical term for masturbation (rarely used in casual speech).

Termin ten jest używany w literaturze medycznej.

Medical/Formal

Easily Confused

dokonywać vs wykonywać

Both mean 'to perform/execute'.

Wykonywać is more about the physical or technical process (e.g., executing a command, doing an exercise). Dokonywać is more about the abstract or formal act (e.g., making a choice, performing an analysis).

Wykonywać taniec vs Dokonywać wyboru.

dokonywać vs robić

Both can translate to 'to make' or 'to do'.

Robić is the everyday word for almost any action. Dokonywać is restricted to serious, official, or significant actions and always takes Genitive.

Robić kanapkę vs Dokonywać wpłaty.

dokonywać vs przeprowadzać

Both mean 'to conduct' or 'to carry out'.

Przeprowadzać is used for structured processes with steps (interviews, experiments, surveys). Dokonywać is for the act itself or the result (discoveries, choices).

Przeprowadzać wywiad vs Dokonywać odkrycia.

dokonywać vs popełniać

Both describe doing an action.

Popełniać is used exclusively for negative things like errors, crimes, or faux pas. Dokonywać is neutral or positive and formal.

Popełniać błąd vs Dokonywać zmian.

dokonywać vs czynić

Both are formal versions of 'to do'.

Czynić is literary and archaic, often used for moral or poetic deeds. Dokonywać is the modern formal standard for administrative and professional acts.

Czynić dobro vs Dokonywać transakcji.

Sentence Patterns

Ja dokonuję [Genitive Noun].

Ja dokonuję wyboru.

Oni dokonują [Genitive Noun] co tydzień.

Oni dokonują przeglądu co tydzień.

Nie wolno dokonywać [Genitive Noun].

Nie wolno dokonywać zmian.

Właśnie dokonuje się [Nominative Noun].

Właśnie dokonuje się rewolucja.

Podczas [Genitive Gerund], stało się coś.

Podczas dokonywania wpłaty, zgasł ekran.

Dokonywanie [Genitive Noun] wymaga [Genitive Noun].

Dokonywanie analizy wymaga czasu.

W tekście dokonano [Genitive Noun].

W tekście dokonano interpretacji faktów.

Podmiot dokonuje [Genitive Noun] w celu [Genitive Gerund].

Podmiot dokonuje wyboru w celu optymalizacji zysków.

Word Family

Nouns

dokonanie (achievement/accomplishment)

dokonywanie (the act of performing)

Verbs

dokonać (perfective form)

skonać (to die/pass away)

wykonać (to execute/perform)

Adjectives

dokonany (accomplished/perfected)

niedokonany (imperfective/incomplete)

koniec (end)

kończyć (to finish)

wykonawca (performer/contractor)

wykonanie (execution)

wykonawczy (executive)

How to Use It

frequency

High in written/formal Polish; Medium in spoken Polish.

Common Mistakes

Dokonywać wybór → Dokonywać wyboru
The verb requires the Genitive case, not the Accusative.
On dokonał zmianę → On dokonał zmiany
Even the perfective form 'dokonać' requires the Genitive case.
Dokonuję kanapkę → Robię kanapkę
Using 'dokonywać' for mundane, informal tasks sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
Dokonywałem wyboru wczoraj (when it was a quick, finished act) → Dokonałem wyboru wczoraj
Using the imperfective for a finished, one-time action is grammatically incorrect in terms of aspect.
Ja się dokonuję wyboru → Ja dokonuję wyboru
Adding the reflexive 'się' when it's an active choice by a person is incorrect.

Tips

Check Your Cases

Always pair 'dokonywać' with the Genitive. If you're not sure of the Genitive ending, look it up immediately to avoid forming a bad habit.

Use in Business

When writing an email to a Polish client, use 'dokonywać' for transactions or choices to sound more professional and respectful.

News Practice

Watch the Polish news (like Fakty or Wiadomości) and count how many times they use 'dokonywać'. It's a great way to hear it in natural formal contexts.

Aspect Mastery

Practice saying 'Dokonuję wyboru' (I am making a choice) versus 'Dokonałem wyboru' (I have made a choice) to get used to the aspectual difference.

Learn Collocations

Don't just learn the word; learn it with its common partners: wpłata, wybór, zmiana, analiza. They almost always appear together.

Formal Essays

In B1/B2 exams, use 'dokonywać' to describe scientific processes or historical changes. It will impress the examiners.

The 'Do' Prefix

Remember that 'do-' in Polish often means reaching a limit or goal. 'Dokonywać' is 'doing' your way to that goal.

Banking Polish

Next time you are at a Polish ATM, change the language to Polish. You will see 'dokonywanie transakcji' everywhere.

Legal Texts

If you ever have to read a Polish contract, look for 'dokonywać'. It usually precedes important actions that one of the parties must take.

Stress the Penultimate

Polish stress is almost always on the second-to-last syllable. DO-KO-NY-WAĆ. Say it out loud ten times.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DO-KONY-WAĆ'. 'DO' like 'to do' + 'KONY' sounds like 'CONEY' (island). Imagine you are 'performing' a magic trick with a rabbit on Coney Island. You are 'dokonywać' a show!

Visual Association

Imagine a scientist in a lab coat carefully 'performing' (dokonywać) an experiment with glowing green liquid. The gravity of the situation matches the formal tone of the word.

Word Web

wybór zmiana wpłata analiza naprawa odkrycie przegląd pomiar

Challenge

Try to use 'dokonywać' in three sentences today: once about a bank payment, once about a choice you made, and once about a change in your schedule.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Polish word 'konać', which originally meant 'to end', 'to finish', or 'to complete'. The prefix 'do-' adds the sense of reaching a goal or bringing something to completion.

Original meaning: To bring to an end or to fulfill a task.

Slavic (Lechitic).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but using it in very informal settings might make you sound arrogant or mock-heroic.

English speakers often use 'make' for everything (make a choice, make a change). Polish requires 'dokonywać' for these to sound natural and formal.

Used in the Polish translation of the Bible for performing miracles. Common in the Polish Constitution (Konstytucja RP). Title of various academic papers in Poland.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Banking

dokonywać wpłaty
dokonywać wypłaty
dokonywać przelewu
dokonywać transakcji

Science

dokonywać odkrycia
dokonywać pomiaru
dokonywać analizy
dokonywać obserwacji

Law

dokonywać przeszukania
dokonywać aresztowania
dokonywać zmian w ustawie
dokonywać weryfikacji

Business

dokonywać restrukturyzacji
dokonywać oceny pracowników
dokonywać zakupów
dokonywać rezerwacji

Daily Life (Formal)

dokonywać wyboru
dokonywać naprawy
dokonywać przeglądu
dokonywać korekty

Conversation Starters

"Jak często dokonujesz zakupów przez internet?"

"Czy trudno jest ci dokonywać ważnych wyborów życiowych?"

"Kiedy ostatnio dokonywałeś jakiejś naprawy w domu?"

"Jakich zmian w swoim życiu chciałbyś dokonywać w tym roku?"

"Czy uważasz, że technologia dokonuje rewolucji w naszej pracy?"

Journal Prompts

Opisz sytuację, w której musiałeś dokonywać bardzo trudnego wyboru między dwiema opcjami.

Napisz o procesie dokonywania zmian w Twoim otoczeniu lub miejscu pracy.

Zastanów się, jakich odkryć naukowych ludzkość dokonuje w obecnych czasach.

Opisz, jak wygląda dokonywanie rezerwacji na wymarzone wakacje krok po kroku.

Czy wolisz dokonywać płatności gotówką czy kartą? Uzasadnij swój wybór.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in modern Polish, 'dokonywać' almost exclusively takes the Genitive case (Dopełniacz). You ask 'dokonywać czego?' (e.g., wyboru, zmiany, wpłaty). Using the Accusative is a common error for learners.

Technically you could, but it would sound very strange and ironic. It's like saying 'I am performing the execution of a sandwich' in English. Use 'robić' for everyday tasks like cooking or cleaning.

'Dokonywać' is imperfective, meaning the action is ongoing, repeated, or habitual ('I was making choices'). 'Dokonać' is perfective, meaning the action was completed successfully ('I made a choice').

Yes, but it's used differently. It means 'to take place' or 'to happen' (usually for abstract things like changes or history). Example: 'Wielkie zmiany dokonują się na naszych oczach' (Great changes are taking place before our eyes).

Use 'wykonywać' for physical work, technical tasks, or when following orders (e.g., 'wykonywać pracę', 'wykonywać polecenia'). Use 'dokonywać' for formal acts like 'dokonywać wyboru' or 'dokonywać wpłaty'.

Not really. It's too formal for slang. However, young people might use it ironically to sound overly dramatic about something simple, but even then, 'uskuteczniać' is more common for that purpose.

Ja dokonuję, ty dokonujesz, on/ona/ono dokonuje, my dokonujemy, wy dokonujecie, oni/one dokonują.

In formal police reports, yes (e.g., 'dokonywać kradzieży' - to perform a theft). However, in general speech, 'popełniać' is the standard word for committing crimes or mistakes.

No, that's a common mistake. It should be pronounced like the 'i' in 'bit' or 'sit'. It's a lower, more central vowel.

Yes, in news broadcasts and newspapers, 'dokonywać' and similar formal verbs are much more frequent than 'robić', which is considered too informal for journalism.