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Questions & Answers about Sekret jest w zeszycie.
What does jest mean in this sentence?
Jest is the 3rd-person singular present form of the verb być (to be). Here it simply means “is.”
Why do we use w + zeszycie? Why not the accusative zeszyt?
The preposition w (“in”) requires the locative case to express location. The locative of zeszyt (notebook) is zeszycie. The accusative (zeszyt) would be used for direct objects, not location.
How is the locative of zeszyt formed?
Zeszyt is a masculine inanimate noun. Its locative singular is formed irregularly: drop the -t and add -cie, yielding zeszycie.
Could we say na zeszycie instead of w zeszycie?
Not if you mean “inside” the notebook. Na + locative means “on” (on top of) a surface. To say something is within the pages, you use w + locative.
Can we omit jest and just say Sekret w zeszycie?
In very informal speech or notes you might see the copula dropped, but standard Polish in a complete sentence keeps jest to mean “is.”
How do you pronounce zeszycie?
Phonetic transcription: [zɪˈʂɨ.t͡ɕɛ]. The z before e is voiced like the “s” in “vision,” and -cie sounds like “tyeh.”
What is the gender of zeszyt, and does it affect the sentence?
Zeszyt is masculine inanimate. In the locative case it becomes zeszycie, but no adjective agreement is needed here—only the preposition and correct case ending matter.