skąd jesteś?
The English phrase "where are you from?" is translated into Polish as skąd jesteś?
This question is used to ask someone about their place of origin or nationality.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase skąd jesteś? is composed of the word skąd (from where) and jesteś (you are).
Which one should you use?
While Skąd jesteś? asks for a person's place of origin, it is distinct from Gdzie jesteś?, which means "Where are you?" and asks for a person's current location.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a woman formally, the word Pani is used. To ask a group of people where they are from, use the plural form skąd jesteście?
Did you know?
- The word skąd is used in common idioms to express disbelief, such as skądże!, which means 'not at all' or 'on the contrary'.
- When using the formal version for a woman, Skąd Pani pochodzi?, the verb changes from 'to be' to 'to originate', which sounds much more elegant and polite.
- Because Polish uses many cases, if you ask where someone is from, the name of their city will change its ending to match the preposition used in the answer.
Examples in context
- Jestem z Polski.I am from Poland.
- Skąd jesteś?Where are you from?
- Przepraszam, skąd jesteś?Excuse me, where are you from?
Example conversation
Two students are meeting for the first time at a university cafe.
- PiotrCześć, jestem Piotr. Skąd jesteś?Hi, I'm Piotr. Where are you from?
- AnnaJestem Anna. Pochodzę z Warszawy.I'm Anna. I come from Warsaw.
- PiotrTo bardzo ładne miasto!That is a very beautiful city!
- AnnaDziękuję, to miłe.Thank you, that is nice.
