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Questions & Answers about To są dzieci.
Why do we say To są rather than To jest when talking about more than one child?
In Polish, when describing a plural subject, we use the third-person plural form są instead of the singular jest. To są is the correct construction for “these are” or “they are,” and applies whenever the things or people you’re referring to are plural.
Why do we use dzieci instead of a different form for children?
Dzieci is the plural form of “child” (dziecko). While many Polish nouns form their plural by adding endings like -y, -i, or -e, the plural of dziecko is an irregular form: it changes to dzieci.
Is the word to in To są dzieci just a pronoun meaning “this”?
Yes, but in Polish, to can also function like “this/that/these/those” in English, and it’s used in sentences to point out or identify people or objects. Because of that flexible usage, you’ll see to commonly used in structures like To jest (singular) or To są (plural).
Can I replace To są dzieci with Oni są dziećmi?
You could, but it would be unusual in most everyday contexts. Oni są dziećmi specifically emphasizes that “they” (the masculine or mixed group) are children, whereas To są dzieci is more neutral and more common when simply identifying a group as children.
Why is there no separate word for “are” in To są?
In English, you separate “this/these” and “are,” but in Polish the verb form often attaches to the pronoun or stands next to it. są is the verb “are” here and pairs with to to indicate a plural statement of existence or identification.