Ten film jest bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial.

This movie is more sad than yesterday’s series.

Breakdown of Ten film jest bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial.

• być: to be
• ten: this
• film: the movie
• niż: than

Questions & Answers about Ten film jest bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial.

Why do we say “ten film” and not just “film”?

In Polish, “ten” is a demonstrative adjective meaning “this” (masculine, singular).

• Ten film = this film / this movie
• Film = a / the film in a more general sense

You can absolutely say:

• Film jest bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial.

This is grammatically correct and often used in neutral statements.

Using “ten film” makes it clear you mean a specific film already known from context, similar to stressing “this movie” in English, not just “the movie” in general.

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Why is “jest” necessary? Can we drop the verb “to be” like in some other languages?

In standard Polish, you cannot normally drop “jest” in full sentences like this.

• Correct:
  Ten film jest bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial.
  (This film is sadder than yesterday’s series.)

• Incorrect in normal speech:
  Ten film bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial.

You may see the verb omitted in headlines, notes, or very telegraphic style, for example:

• Ten film bardziej smutny niż wczorajszy serial – as a newspaper title or informal note.

But in ordinary spoken or written Polish, you should keep “jest” in such sentences.

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