Sklep jest blisko, więc idę pieszo.

The store is nearby, so I am going on foot.

Breakdown of Sklep jest blisko, więc idę pieszo.

• ja: I
• być: to be
• sklep: the store
• iść: to go

Questions & Answers about Sklep jest blisko, więc idę pieszo.

What does each word in Sklep jest blisko, więc idę pieszo mean?

A word-by-word breakdown is:

• sklep = shop / store
• jest = is
• blisko = near / nearby
• więc = so / therefore
• idę = I am going / I go (from iść)
• pieszo = on foot / walking

So the sentence is literally: The shop is nearby, so I’m going on foot.

Why is sklep in the basic form?

Because sklep is the subject of the sentence: The shop is nearby.

Its basic dictionary form is the nominative singular, and that is exactly what you use for the subject:

• Sklep jest blisko. = The shop is nearby.

There is no reason to change the case here.

Why do we use jest here? I thought Polish often leaves out to be.