W kubku mam herbatę, a w szklance wodę.

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Breakdown of W kubku mam herbatę, a w szklance wodę.

• mieć: to have
• w: in
• herbata: the tea

Questions & Answers about W kubku mam herbatę, a w szklance wodę.

What does the conjunction a mean here, and why not i?

a is an “and” that contrasts two things (roughly whereas), which fits the mug-versus-glass contrast. i is a neutral additive “and.” The sentence sounds most natural with a because it highlights the difference. Polish also requires a comma before a in such coordination.

Why w kubku and w szklance? Which case is that?

After w meaning in/inside (no movement), you use the locative case: w kubku, w szklance. If there is motion into something, w takes the accusative: w kubek, w szklankę (for example: pouring water into the glass).

Why herbatę and wodę instead of herbata and woda?

Mam takes a direct object in the accusative. Feminine nouns ending in -a change to -ę in the accusative singular: herbata → herbatę, woda → wodę.

Why kubku and not kubek or kubce?