"We are cutting the bread with a knife."
Translation:Kroimy chleb nożem.
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So, I'm guessing that we don't need any words for "with" here because noz changes case to indicate that it is what we are doing it with?
to make things complicated - we still have with=z + instrumental. You skip "with" when it means "using" but not when it means "and"
Does that mean that the "z" is optional when it means "with" ? Is it correct to say then, "Kroimy chleb z nożem" ?
Thanks.
It's never optional, it just changes the meaning and using it (or lack of it) wrong results in absurd sentences.
"z" is simple "with", mostly "with someone", but also "ryż z jabłkami" (rice with apples) and similar.
Instrumental without "z" means that something was used as an instrument. "kroić nożem" = to cut with (using) a knife. "kroić z nożem" = to cut, while the knife is also cutting (as if it was animated).
Similarly: "Jem zupę łyżką" = I am eating soup with a spoon (using a spoon), vs "Jem zupę z łyżką" = I am eating soup and the spoon is sitting next to me, also eating soup.
