Ta kamienica jest stara, ale jej domofon działa dobrze.

to be

Breakdown of Ta kamienica jest stara, ale jej domofon działa dobrze.

• ale: but
• ta: this
• dobrze: well

Questions & Answers about Ta kamienica jest stara, ale jej domofon działa dobrze.

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

Because kamienica is a feminine noun in Polish. The demonstrative this must agree with the noun’s gender:

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

So:

• ta kamienica = this building / this tenement house

The adjective also has to agree in gender, which is why you later get stara and not stary.

What exactly does kamienica mean?

Kamienica usually means a traditional multi-storey town building, often an older urban apartment building or tenement house. It is more specific than building in general.

So depending on context, English translations might be:

• tenement house
• apartment building
• old townhouse
• sometimes just building

In this sentence, it suggests an older residential building.

Why is it stara and not stary?

Because stary / stara / stare must agree with the noun it describes.

Since kamienica is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine:

• masculine: stary
• feminine: stara
• neuter: stare

So:

• ta kamienica jest stara = this building is old