Breakdown of Czerwone światło ostrzega, że lot może być odwołany.
być
to be
że
that
światło
the light
czerwony
red
Questions & Answers about Czerwone światło ostrzega, że lot może być odwołany.
Why doesn’t this sentence use an article before czerwone światło?
Polish has no definite or indefinite articles (no equivalent of “the” or “a/an”). Nouns stand on their own, and context tells you whether they are specific or general.
How come czerwone ends with -e instead of -y or -a?
The noun światło is neuter gender, singular, nominative case. Adjectives must agree in gender, number and case. Neuter nominative singular adjectives end in -e (hence czerwone światło).
What is the infinitive form of ostrzega, and why is it spelled that way here?
The infinitive is ostrzegać (“to warn”). In the present tense, 3rd person singular takes the ending -a, so ostrzega means “(it) warns.”
What function does że serve in this sentence?
że is a subordinating conjunction equivalent to English that. It introduces the subordinate clause lot może być odwołany, acting as the direct object of ostrzega.
Why is lot in the nominative case here, not accusative?