Questions & Answers about Żelki i guma są bardzo kleiste.
The subject combines a plural noun (żelki) and a singular noun (guma). How does Polish determine the ending for the adjective kleiste?
When a subject consists of multiple nouns and none of them represent male persons, the entire group is treated as non-masculine-personal (non-virile). Because neither gummies nor gum are male humans, the adjective takes the standard non-virile plural ending -e (kleiste).
I already know the word lepki for 'sticky'. How is kleisty different here?
While they are often used interchangeably, there is a helpful nuance. Lepki usually describes surface tackiness (like a table after you spill juice on it). Kleisty comes from klej (glue) and describes the actual physical consistency of something thick, gummy, or cohesive, making it the perfect word for chewy candy and gum.
What is the singular form of żelki?
The singular form is żelek (masculine inanimate). It comes from the word żel (gel). However, you will almost always see it in the plural żelki, which is the universal Polish word for gummy bears, jelly worms, and similar gummy candies.