…
Breakdown of Zupa i pieczywo są tańsze niż mięso, choć dają mniej energii.
być
to be
i
and
dawać
to give
niż
than
tańszy
cheaper
energia
the energy
zupa
the soup
mięso
the meat
choć
although
pieczywo
the bread product
mniej
less
Questions & Answers about Zupa i pieczywo są tańsze niż mięso, choć dają mniej energii.
What does pieczywo mean in English?
Pieczywo refers to bread or baked goods in general (not a specific loaf but the whole category).
Why is the verb są used instead of jest?
There are two subjects—zupa and pieczywo—so the verb must be in the 3rd person plural: są.
How is the comparative tańsze formed, and why does it end with -e?
The adjective tańszy (cheaper) forms the comparative by adding -szy, yielding tańszy → tańsze. It ends with -e because it agrees with a non-masculine-personal plural subject (zupa + pieczywo).
What is the role of niż here, and what case follows it?
Niż introduces the second element in a comparison (“cheaper than…”). It does not govern a new case—mięso stays in the nominative because it’s the original subject form.
Could we use od mięsa instead of niż mięso?
Yes. You can say są tańsze od mięsa, using the preposition od which requires the genitive (mięsa). Both ways express the same comparison.
What does choć mean, and how does it differ from ale?
Choć means “although” or “even though” and introduces a concession. Ale means “but” and marks a straightforward contrast.
Example:
– Zupa jest tania, ale mało syci. (But)
– Zupa jest tania, choć ma mało kalorii. (Although)
Can I replace choć with chociaż?
Yes. Chociaż is a synonym and works identically:
Zupa i pieczywo są tańsze niż mięso, chociaż dają mniej energii.
Why is energii in the genitive case?
The word mniej (“less”) always takes a noun in the genitive. So mniej energii means “less energy.”
Could I say “choć są mniej energetyczne” instead of “choć dają mniej energii”?
Yes, you can.
– choć dają mniej energii: focuses on the action of giving energy
– choć są mniej energetyczne: describes them as “less energy-rich,” shifting it into an adjective.
Why is there a comma before choć?
Because choć introduces a subordinate concessive clause. In Polish, main and subordinate clauses are separated by a comma.
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