Which one should you use?
While co is the standard form, the form czego?! is specifically used when asking about someone's desires. The phrase co za functions differently as a determiner to start an exclamation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun co changes its form depending on the grammatical case required by the sentence. It becomes czego in the genitive case, which is necessary after certain verbs such as 'szukać' (to look for) or 'chcieć' (to want). It becomes czym in the instrumental case, which is used when asking what an action is performed with. The word nic serves as the negative counterpart to co, meaning 'nothing'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtsɔ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using Co? by itself to ask someone to repeat what they said, as this can be perceived as rude. Use Słucham? instead.
When do people say it?
When asking someone to repeat themselves, avoid the bluntness of Co? and opt for the more polite Słucham? to maintain proper social etiquette.
Did you know?
- The modern Polish word co is a distant relative of the English word 'who', both descending from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European roots.
- In casual speech, Poles often use co? as a filler tag question at the end of a sentence, similar to saying 'right?' or 'eh?' in English.
- The spelling of co has evolved significantly from the Old Polish form czso, losing the 'sz' sound over centuries of linguistic development.
Examples in context
- Po co to jest?What is it for?This sentence is useful for asking the purpose of an object using co.Tatoeba #3749791 by gin, translation #3738435 by CK
- Co to jest UFO?What is a UFO?This sentence is useful for identifying an object using co.Tatoeba #356994 by zipangu, translation #30165 by CC
- Co masz w ręce?What do you have in your hand?This sentence is useful for asking about an object someone is holding using co.Tatoeba #3655381 by jeedrek, translation #69234 by CK
- Czego szukasz?What are you looking for?
- Czym to otworzyć?What should I use to open this?
- Jak to jest?What is that like?
- 1924 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Paweł are talking in the kitchen.
- AgnieszkaCo robisz, Paweł?What are you doing, Paweł?
- PawełGotuję obiad.I am cooking dinner.
- AgnieszkaCo to za zapach?What is that smell?
- PawełTo zupa pomidorowa.It is tomato soup.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries co, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries co, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
