Question 1

Why use jaki instead of co for "what"?

Accepted Answer

In Polish, co means "what" as a noun (like "What is this?"). But when asking "What is it like?" or asking for a description, you use jaki. It acts like an adjective, so it takes the masculine form to match the masculine noun samochód (car).

Question 2

Why does the masculine adjective drogi end in -i instead of the usual -y?

Accepted Answer

Most masculine adjectives in their basic form end in -y (like dobry or stary). However, a strict spelling rule in Polish says you can never write a y directly after the letters k or g. Because the root of "expensive" ends in g, the ending changes to -i, making it drogi.

Question 3

Could I change the word order to Jaki ten samochód jest?

Accepted Answer

You would be understood, but putting the verb jest right after the question word is the most natural word order in Polish. It usually sounds better than leaving the verb for the very end of the sentence.

Question 4

Why is the word ten (this) important here?

Accepted Answer

Polish does not have words for "a" or "the". Ten points to a specific masculine object. If you just asked Jaki jest samochód?, it would sound like a general philosophical question: "What is a car like?". Adding ten specifies you mean this particular car.

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