Questions & Answers about Pięć i jeden to sześć.
Why does this sentence use to instead of jest for the word "is"?
In Polish, when you state a mathematical equation or say that one thing equals another, you use the word to instead of the verb jest. It acts just like an equals sign!
Why do we use jeden here instead of jedna or jedno?
Polish numbers can change form depending on the gender of the noun they describe. However, when you are doing abstract math or just naming numbers without counting a specific object, you always use the default masculine form, which is jeden.
Both pięć and sześć end with the letter ć. How do I pronounce that?
The letter ć makes a very soft "ch" sound. It sounds a bit like the "ch" in the English word "cheap", but made with the tongue pressed flatter against the roof of your mouth.
Can I use the word plus instead of i?
Yes! In everyday Polish math, you can say pięć i jeden (five and one) or pięć plus jeden (five plus one). Both are completely natural and correct.