Breakdown of Ta degustacja była wykwintna, aczkolwiek bardzo droga.
być
to be
ten
this (m)
bardzo
very
drogi
expensive
degustacja
tasting
wykwintny
exquisite
aczkolwiek
although / albeit (formal)
Questions & Answers about Ta degustacja była wykwintna, aczkolwiek bardzo droga.
How does aczkolwiek differ from our usual words for "although" like chociaż or mimo że?
Aczkolwiek is a more formal, elevated word, very much like "albeit" in English. It is perfect for connecting two contrasting adjectives or phrases directly—like wykwintna and droga here—without needing to repeat the subject and verb.
Why are the adjectives wykwintna and droga in the nominative case rather than the instrumental after była?
When the verb być (to be) is followed only by an adjective, the adjective stays in the nominative case to match the subject (ta degustacja). You only use the instrumental case after być when the predicate includes a noun (for example, if you said it was "an exquisite event": była wykwintnym wydarzeniem).
Do you always need a comma before aczkolwiek, even when it just connects two adjectives instead of full clauses?
Yes. Polish punctuation rules are very strict about this: you must place a comma before concessive conjunctions (like aczkolwiek, chociaż, and ale) regardless of whether they introduce a full new clause or just a single contrasting word.
Can degustacja refer to just taking a bite of something in the kitchen to test its flavor?
No, degustacja specifically refers to a formal tasting event or experience, such as a wine tasting (degustacja win) or a tasting menu at a restaurant. If you just want someone to taste the soup you are cooking, you would use the verb spróbować (to try/taste).
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