Questions & Answers about Ta zupa jest ostrzejsza niż wczoraj.
How do we get ostrzejsza from the basic adjective for "spicy"?
The base dictionary form is ostry. To make an adjective comparative, we typically drop the -y and add -szy. However, because the stem ostr- ends in a cluster of consonants, we add -ejszy to make it easier to pronounce, giving us ostrzejszy. Finally, because zupa (soup) is a feminine noun, we must use the feminine comparative form, ostrzejsza.
Why do we use niż here instead of od for "than"?
In Polish, you can express "than" using either niż or od. While od is very common, it must be followed by a noun or pronoun in the Genitive case. Since wczoraj (yesterday) is an adverb and doesn't take noun cases, we have to use niż.
I thought ostry meant "sharp". Can it also mean "spicy"?
Yes! While the literal meaning of ostry is "sharp" (like a knife), it is also the standard Polish word for "spicy" or "hot" when talking about food.
Why is it Ta zupa instead of To zupa?