Questions & Answers about Autobus jedzie do miasta.
Why is jedzie used here instead of idzie?
In Polish, there is a strict rule separating going on foot from going by vehicle. Since a bus is a vehicle, we must use jedzie (from the verb jechać, meaning to ride or drive) instead of idzie (from iść, meaning to walk).
Why does the word for city end in -a (miasta)?
The dictionary form of the word for city is miasto. However, the preposition do (meaning to) always forces the noun that follows it into the Genitive case. For neuter nouns ending in -o like miasto, you drop the -o and add an -a, resulting in miasta.
Does jedzie mean goes or is going?
It means both! Polish does not have a separate continuous tense (is going) like English does. Autobus jedzie can translate to either The bus is going right now, or The bus goes as a regular routine. You rely on context to know which meaning makes sense.
Where is the word for the before autobus?
Polish does not have definite articles (the) or indefinite articles (a/an). The single word autobus can mean bus, a bus, or the bus depending on the situation.