przy

Przy is a preposition in Polish used to express proximity or position relative to another object, and to indicate accompanying circumstances, means, or conditions. It can translate as by, beside, near, at, with, or on the occasion of, depending on context.

In spatial use, przy describes where something is located in relation to something else. Typical phrases include przy stole (by the table), przy oknie (by the window), or przy drzwiach (by the doors). It conveys a sense of adjacent position or proximity, often signaling that an object is nearby or within easy reach.

Beyond physical location, przy forms expressions of means, accompaniment, or circumstance. Examples include przy pomocy komputera (with the help of a computer), przy sobie (carrying something on oneself), and idioms such as przy okazji (on this occasion). The preposition also appears in time-related or conditional phrases, where it links events or actions to contextual factors.

Grammatically, przy typically governs the locative case in Polish, with the following noun appearing in its locative form. The exact form depends on gender and number, and pronouns or fixed expressions can yield different surface forms. The preposition is etymologically from Proto-Slavic pri- meaning near or by, a core feature carried into many Polish locational and instrumental uses.

Overall, przy is a versatile preposition central to expressing spatial relations, methods, occasions, and surrounding circumstances in Polish. It integrates with a broad range of nouns and common idioms, making it one of the most frequently used prepositions in everyday speech.