co to jest?
/ˈt͡sɔ ˈtɔ ˈjɛst/word by word
The English phrase "what is this?" is translated into Polish as co to jest?
This phrase is used as a question to ask for the identity or the name of an object.
Which one should you use?
While co to jest? asks for the identity of an object, you should use co to za [noun]? if you want to ask what kind of object something is.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtsɔ ˈtɔ ˈjɛst/
Did you know?
- Although co to jest? is grammatically simple, using it with a skeptical tone can function as a way to say 'What is this nonsense?' without needing extra words.
- The word co shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'who' and the Latin 'quis', all tracing back to the same Proto-Indo-European root for interrogatives.
- The word to in this phrase is a neuter pronoun. Because many unknown objects are treated as neuter in Polish, to is the universal way to point to something unidentified.
Examples in context
- Przepraszam, co to jest?Excuse me, what is this?
Example conversation
Piotr and Anna are looking at a strange gift in a box.
- PiotrCo to jest?What is this?
- AnnaTo jest nowy zegarek.It is a new watch.
- PiotrJest bardzo ładny.It is very beautiful.
- AnnaDziękuję, Piotr.Thank you, Piotr.
