After 2, 3 and 4 the noun takes the normal plural form, but after 5 and above it switches to a special counting form (the genitive plural), which usually has a different ending or no ending at all. Numbers also have a feminine form: dwa for masculine/neuter nouns, dwie for feminine ones.
Examples
- trzy koty
- three cats
- pięć kotów
- five cats
- dwie kawy, proszę.
- Two coffees, please.
- Mam dwadzieścia lat.
- I'm twenty years old.
The mistake to avoid
Using the plain plural after 5 ("pięć koty") — from 5 upwards the noun must change form ("pięć kotów").
Where this fits in
Numbers, days, time, Polish A1: Count, talk about days and months, give the time, and handle numbers in real situations.