Questions & Answers about Ten wiersz jest smutniejszy niż tamten.
Why is it ten wiersz and not ta wiersz or to wiersz?
Because wiersz is a masculine singular noun in Polish. Demonstratives like ten / ta / to must agree with the noun’s gender, number, and case.
So:
- ten wiersz = this poem
- not ta wiersz
- not to wiersz
What exactly is the difference between ten and tamten?
Ten means this, and tamten means that.
So in this sentence:
- ten wiersz = this poem
- tamten = that one / that poem
Polish often uses tamten to point to something more distant, either physically or in the conversation.
Why is tamten used by itself at the end, without wiersz?
Because Polish can leave out a noun when it is already understood from context.
So:
- Ten wiersz jest smutniejszy niż tamten.
really means:
- Ten wiersz jest smutniejszy niż tamten wiersz.
But repeating wiersz is unnecessary, so Polish usually omits it.
This is very similar to English this poem is sadder than that one.