Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Polish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Basen jest duży.
What is the role of jest in this sentence?
jest is the 3rd person singular present form of the verb być (to be). It functions as a copula linking basen (the pool) with its predicate duży (big).
Which case and number is basen in, and why?
basen is in the masculine singular nominative case because it serves as the subject of the sentence. In Polish, the subject normally appears in the nominative.
Why does the adjective duży end with -y?
Adjectives in Polish agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. Here duży has the masculine singular nominative ending -y to match basen.
How would I turn this statement into a question?
You can add the particle czy at the start:
Czy basen jest duży?
Or simply use rising intonation without czy:
Basen jest duży?
How do I make this sentence negative?
Insert the negation nie before the verb:
Basen nie jest duży.
(The pool is not big.)
How do I say “The pools are big” in Polish?
Change both noun and adjective to plural and use są (3rd person plural of być):
Baseny są duże.
Why are there no articles like “a” or “the” in this sentence?
Polish does not have definite or indefinite articles. Context or demonstrative words (e.g. ten, taki) indicate specificity when needed.
How can I emphasize that I mean this pool is big?
Add the demonstrative adjective ten (this):
Ten basen jest duży.
Can I put the adjective duży before the noun instead of after it?
Yes. In attributive use you place the adjective before the noun:
duży basen (a big pool).
When you want to predicate (“The pool is big”), you use Basen jest duży with duży after the verb.