Learn Hardcore Polish: To jest obraz.

To is a neuter singular demonstrative pronoun meaning “this” or “it.” In To jest obraz, it serves as the subject of the sentence, pointing to or identifying the thing you’re talking about.

Why is there no article before obraz?

Polish has no definite or indefinite articles (no “a,” “an,” or “the”). You simply use the noun in its appropriate case. So obraz can mean “a painting,” “the painting,” or “painting” depending on context.

What case is obraz in, and why?

Obraz is in the nominative case because it’s the predicate nominative following the verb jest. In Polish, after to jest, the noun remains in nominative to identify or define the subject.

Can you explain why the verb is jest and not something else?

Jest is the third-person singular present tense form of być (“to be”). Since the subject to is singular, you use jest (“is”).

How would you form the plural of this sentence?

You’d replace to with the plural demonstrative te and change the noun to plural nominative obrazy, and the verb to są (third-person plural):

Te są obrazy.
(“These are paintings.”)

Is it possible to drop to and just say Jest obraz?

Yes, you could say Jest obraz, but it sounds more like an observation “There is a painting.” Adding to makes it a direct identification “This is a painting.”

How would you say “That is a painting” instead of “This is a painting”?

Use the demonstrative pronoun tamto or to tam to indicate distance:

Tamto jest obraz. (That over there is a painting.)