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Questions & Answers about Co to jest?
Why is the word order Co to jest (What this is) instead of Co jest to (What is this)?
In Polish, the standard word order for this question puts the pronoun to before the verb jest. While Polish word order is generally flexible, Co to jest? is a fixed, highly common phrase. Saying Co jest to? sounds unnatural.
How would I ask 'Who is this?' instead of 'What is this?'
You just replace Co (what) with Kto (who). The sentence becomes Kto to jest?. Remember to use co for objects and kto for people!
Does the word to change if I am asking about a masculine or feminine object?
No. In this specific question, to acts as a general 'this' or 'it' pointing to an unknown thing. Because you don't know what the object is yet, you always use the neutral to, regardless of what the object turns out to be.
Can I just say Co to? without the word jest?
Yes! In casual spoken Polish, it is very common to drop the verb and simply ask Co to? (literally: 'What this?'). The sentence Co to jest? is just the full, grammatically complete version.