When discussing what is an established fact and what remains a mystery, use the impersonal predicate wiadomo (it is known) and its negative form nie wiadomo (it is unknown).
Because these are impersonal, they don't conjugate for person or number. They stand on their own to express shared knowledge, certainty, or a lack thereof.
Establishing Facts with "Że"
To state a confirmed fact, wiadomo is typically followed by the conjunction że (that).
| It is known that he went missing yesterday evening. | Wiadomo, że on zaginął wczoraj wieczorem. |
| It is known that this criminal is lying, because he is not reliable. | Wiadomo, że ten przestępca kłamie, bo nie jest wiarygodny. |
Expressing the Unknown with Question Words
When information is missing, use nie wiadomo followed by a question word, such as dlaczego (why), gdzie (where), kto (who), or jaka (what).
| It is unknown why this man went missing. | Nie wiadomo, dlaczego ten mężczyzna zaginął. |
| It is still unknown what this criminal's identity is. | Nadal nie wiadomo, jaka jest tożsamość tego przestępcy. |
| It is unknown where this missing man is. | Nie wiadomo, gdzie jest ten zaginiony mężczyzna. |
"Whether" and Definite Answers
If the unknown detail is a "yes or no" question, use czy (whether / if). You can also add adverbs like jednoznacznie (definitively) to specify if a fact is fully confirmed.
| It is not definitively known whether this witness is reliable. | Nie wiadomo jednoznacznie, czy ten świadek jest wiarygodny. |
| If the intention is unclear, it is unknown what to do. | Jeśli intencja jest niejasna, nie wiadomo, co zrobić. |
| It is definitively known where the missing boy is hiding. | Wiadomo jednoznacznie, gdzie ukrywa się zaginiony chłopiec. |
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