This is (to jest)

To point at things and name them in Polish, use the phrase to jest.

  • to means "this" or "it"
  • jest means "is"

Polish does not use articles like "a", "an", or "the". The word kot, for example, can mean "cat", "a cat", or "the cat" depending on the context.

This is a cat.
To jest kot.
This is a dog.
To jest pies.

To connect words, use i ("and").

This is a dog and a cat.
To jest pies i kot.

You can use this exact pattern to point out everyday objects.

This is a house.
To jest dom.
This is a car.
To jest samochód.
This is a table and a chair.
To jest stół i krzesło.
This is a book and a chair.
To jest książka i krzesło.

Whenever you learn a new Polish noun, you can immediately practice it by pointing and saying to jest!

Practice this lesson