Learn Hardcore Polish: Robi się zimno.

The phrase breaks down into robi się and zimno. The verb robić means "to do/make", and when combined with the reflexive się, it literally forms "it makes itself". Zimno means "cold". So, word-for-word, the sentence can be seen as "it makes itself cold", which idiomatically translates to "it is getting cold" in English.

What is the function of the reflexive pronoun się in this sentence?

The reflexive się is used to create an impersonal construction. This means the sentence doesn’t have an explicit subject like "it" in English, but the construction implies a general subject. In this context, się helps express that the action (becoming cold) is happening on its own, much like saying "it gets" or "it becomes".

Why is there no explicit subject in Robi się zimno?

Polish often uses impersonal constructions to describe weather or changing conditions. In Robi się zimno, the structure naturally omits an explicit subject because the process of becoming cold is seen as a general, natural occurrence. The reflexive form robi się already carries the impersonal meaning, analogous to the English "it" in "it is getting cold".

How does Robi się zimno differ from simply saying Zimno?

While Zimno simply states "It's cold", the construction Robi się zimno emphasizes the process of change, conveying that the temperature is in the process of dropping or the environment is gradually becoming cold. This subtle nuance of change or transition is not present in the simple state declaration Zimno.

Can this impersonal structure be used with other adjectives in Polish?

Yes, it is quite common in Polish. This structure is used to describe change in state, especially with weather or environmental conditions. For example, you might hear Robi się ciemno (meaning "it is getting dark") or Robi się jasno (meaning "it is getting light"). The pattern robi się [adjective] is a standard way to express a change occurring naturally without a clearly defined subject.