Questions & Answers about Co oznacza to słowo?
Why use oznacza here when I already learned Co to znaczy? for 'What does this mean?'
Both znaczyć and oznaczać mean 'to mean.' The verb znaczyć is extremely common in the fixed phrase Co to znaczy? (What does it/this mean?). Oznaczać is slightly more specific and is often used when asking for the direct translation, definition, or symbolization of a concrete thing, like to słowo (this word). They are often interchangeable in this context, but oznaczać sounds very precise here.
Is Co the subject of this sentence?
No, the subject is to słowo (this word). That is why the verb oznacza is conjugated in the third-person singular. Co (what) is actually the direct object in the accusative case, even though it looks exactly the same as its nominative dictionary form. The literal structure is 'What [object] means this word [subject]?'
Is it okay to change the word order to Co to słowo oznacza?
Yes, absolutely! Polish word order is flexible, and Co to słowo oznacza? sounds perfectly natural. Putting to słowo at the very end, as in the original sentence, just places a tiny bit more focus on the fact that you are asking about this word in particular.
Is the word to acting as a standalone pronoun here, like it does in Co to jest?
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