Sypię cukier do kawy, bo jest zbyt gorzka.

I pour sugar into the coffee because it is too bitter.

Breakdown of Sypię cukier do kawy, bo jest zbyt gorzka.

• ja: I
• być: to be
• kawa: the coffee
• bo: because

Questions & Answers about Sypię cukier do kawy, bo jest zbyt gorzka.

Why isn’t ja used here? How do I know the subject is I?

In Polish, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action.

• sypię = I pour / I am adding / I sprinkle
• The ending -ę tells you it is 1st person singular: I

So Sypię cukier do kawy already means I’m adding sugar to the coffee.
You could say Ja sypię cukier do kawy, but ja would usually add emphasis, like I’m the one adding sugar.

Does sypię mean I pour or I am pouring?

It can mean both, depending on context.

Polish present tense often covers both:

• I pour
• I am pouring

Because sypię is an imperfective verb form, it can describe:

• an action happening right now
• a repeated/habitual action

So this sentence could mean either:

• I’m adding sugar to the coffee because it’s too bitter
• I add sugar to coffee because it’s too bitter

Context tells you which one is meant.

Why is the verb sypię used for sugar? Why not just daję?