Zaliczka jest wysoka.

The advance payment is high.

Breakdown of Zaliczka jest wysoka.

• być: to be
• wysoki: high
• zaliczka: the advance payment

Questions & Answers about Zaliczka jest wysoka.

What does zaliczka mean exactly?

Zaliczka usually means an advance payment, down payment, or deposit paid in advance.

A useful distinction:

• zaliczka = money paid before the full payment, usually as part of the final price
• kaucja = a refundable security deposit (for example, for renting a flat)

So depending on context, zaliczka is often better translated as advance payment than as deposit.

Why is jest used here?

Jest means is. It is the 3rd person singular form of być (to be).

So:

• zaliczka = the advance payment / deposit
• jest = is
• wysoka = high

Together: Zaliczka jest wysoka = The advance payment is high.

Why is it wysoka, not wysoki?

Because wysoka has to agree with zaliczka.

In Polish, adjectives change form to match the noun in:

• gender
• number
• case

Zaliczka is a feminine singular noun, so the adjective must also be feminine singular:

• masculine: wysoki
• feminine: wysoka
• neuter: wysokie

That is why we say zaliczka jest wysoka.