rodzicom

Rodzicom is the dative plural form of the Polish noun rodzic, which means parent. In Polish grammar, rodzic refers to a parent or guardian, and rodzicowi or rodzicom are used in cases that require a dative (indirect object). The form rodziców is genitive plural, and rodzicami is instrumental plural, while rodzice is the nominative plural. The dative plural rodzicom is therefore used for recipients or beneficiaries in sentences without a preposition, as in examples with verbs that govern the dative.

Morphology and related forms

- Singular: nominative rodzic, genitive rodzica, dative rodzicowi, accusative rodzica, instrumental rodzicem, vocative rodzicu.

- Plural: nominative rodzice, genitive rodziców, dative rodzicom, accusative rodziców, instrumental rodzicami, vocative rodzice.

- Rodzicom specifically denotes “to the parents” or “for the parents” in contexts where the recipient is plural.

Usage

Rodzicom appears most often as the recipient of an action: e.g., Dziękujemy rodzicom za pomoc. (We thank the parents for help.) Przekazaliśmy to rodzicom w prezencie. (We gave this to the parents as a gift.) In sentences with prepositions, other cases may be required, such as dla rodziców meaning “for the parents,” where the genitive is used after the preposition dla.

Etymology

Rodzic derives from a root related to birth and lineage in Polish, connected to terms for family and ancestry (rodzina). The word reflects the concept of a parent as a bearer of lineage within a kin group.

See also: rodzic, rodzice, rodzina.