Ta deska jest mała, więc kiełbasa prawie spada na podłogę.

to be

Breakdown of Ta deska jest mała, więc kiełbasa prawie spada na podłogę.

• mały: small
• więc: so
• podłoga: the floor

Questions & Answers about Ta deska jest mała, więc kiełbasa prawie spada na podłogę.

Why is it ta deska and not ten deska or to deska?

Because deska is a feminine singular noun in Polish, and the demonstrative this has to agree with it:

• ten = masculine
• ta = feminine
• to = neuter

So:

• ta deska = this board
• compare: ten stół = this table
• compare: to okno = this window

Agreement in gender is very important in Polish.

Why does mały become mała?

Adjectives also have to agree with the noun they describe.

Since deska is feminine singular, the adjective must also be feminine singular:

• masculine: mały
• feminine: mała
• neuter: małe

So:

• mała deska = a small board
• mały stół = a small table
• małe okno = a small window

In the sentence, deska jest mała literally means the board is small.

Why is jest used here? Can it ever be omitted?