Word gender and avoiding faux pas with translation apps

Words are masculine, feminine or neuter and adjectives describing them will need to agree with the gender of the noun. This bit I do remember, but I often make the biggest faux pas when in hurry and resorting to Google Translate. It seems that the app, unless you ensure the gender of the person is obvious, will default to assuming they are male.  So, I have often been corrected and reminded that my correspondent is a member of the fairer sex.  This gaff generally occurs with verbs outside the present tense. Using the first person, I, and the second person, you, in the present tense, the verb endings seem to be the same for male and female. In the past tenses, they differ. 

For example: być, to be. 

I am - jestem (both genders)

You are - jesteś (both genders, but take note: you here is singular and informal)

I was - byłem (masc) byłam (fem)

You were - byłeś (masc) byłaś (fem) - here, again, you is singular and informal.


On the subject of using Google Translate:

When translating you, as well as assuming male by default, it will also tend to assume you, is singular and informal.

So if you want wy (plural you) instead of ty (single you), then you will need to guide it by typing things like you both or you two.  As for formal, you would need to go more literal to how formal Polish is constructed. And when I say formal, I don't mean for grand occasions when you're in your best bib and tucker and addressing dignitaries, but in Poland you would use formal you when addressing someone more senior to you or someone you don't know.  Formal you is not you at all, one doesn't use the second person, one uses the third person, as though talking about someone else. For example, you would say the equivalent of: Does madam like beer? In place of, do you like beer?  

So the informal would be: Lubisz piwo? 

And the formal: Pani lubi piwo? (fem) or Pan lubi piwo? (masc)

Pan being Mr or sir and Pani being Mrs or madam.

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