przewodnikiem

Przewodnikiem is the instrumental singular form of the Polish noun przewodnik. The base word przewodnik has several related meanings: a person who leads others on trips or explains sites (guide or tour guide); a device or material that conducts electricity or heat (conductor); and, in everyday language, a guidebook or manual. The instrumental form przewodnikiem is used when the noun denotes a role or instrument in a sentence, for example: On jest przewodnikiem po zamku. Jako przewodnik po mieście pracuję.

Etymology: przewodnik derives from the verb prowadzić, meaning to lead, with the prefix prze-, forming a noun that describes someone who leads or directs. The same root underlies all senses of the word, including the technical sense of a conductor.

Usage notes: The form changes with number and case as for other Polish masculine nouns ending in -nik. In the sense of a guidebook, the base form przewodnik is typically used, while przewodnikiem appears when the noun functions as an actor or instrument in a sentence (for example in predicative constructions or with certain verbs).

Declension (singular): Nominative przewodnik; Genitive przewodnika; Dative przewodnikowi; Accusative przewodnika; Instrumental przewodnikiem; Locative przewodniku. Plural: Nominative przewodnicy (people) or przewodniki (books); Genitive przewodników; Dative przewodnikom; Accusative przewodników; Instrumental przewodnikami; Locative przewodnikach.

Translations and senses: In Polish, przewodnik can mean a tour guide, a guidebook, or a conductor. The form przewodnikiem is the grammatical instrument used when the noun plays the role of a guide or a means in a sentence, while other meanings use the standard declension appropriate to their sense.