Breakdown of Przepis na tę szarlotkę to mój sekret.
ten
this (m)
mój
my
na
on, at / to (motion toward) / for (a meal) / for (waiting for)
to
is (linking copula)
sekret
secret
przepis
recipe
szarlotka
the apple pie
Questions & Answers about Przepis na tę szarlotkę to mój sekret.
Why do we use na + Accusative here instead of the Genitive case to say "recipe of the apple pie"?
In Polish, we use na followed by the Accusative case to express the target or purpose of a noun. Just like you buy a ticket for a train (bilet na pociąg), you follow a recipe for a cake (przepis na ciasto). Using the Genitive here (przepis tej szarlotki) would sound unnatural, as if the pie itself owns the recipe.
Why is the word for "this" tę instead of tą?
The preposition na in this context requires the Accusative case. For feminine singular nouns, the standard Accusative form of ten is tę. However, in everyday spoken Polish, you will very often hear native speakers say na tą szarlotkę, using the Instrumental form. As a learner, it is best to stick to the standard tę in writing and formal speech.
Could I use the word recepta instead of przepis for a recipe?
No, they are false friends. A recepta is a medical prescription you get from a doctor. For cooking instructions, as well as for legal rules and regulations, you must always use przepis.
Why is the second half to mój sekret and not jest moim sekretem?
Both are completely correct, but they use different grammar rules. When you use the word to to link two nouns, both nouns stay in the Nominative case. If you use the verb jest, the second noun phrase must be in the Instrumental case (jest moim sekretem). Using to is often simpler and very common in everyday Polish.
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