Question 1

Why is it Ta szynka and not To szynka?

Accepted Answer

When you say "This ham" as a single subject, the word for "this" has to match the gender of the noun. Since szynka is feminine, we use ta. You only use to with feminine nouns in the specific set phrase To jest... (This is...).

Question 2

Why is the adjective dobra in the basic nominative case here? Don't we use the instrumental case after jest?

Accepted Answer

We only use the instrumental case after jest when the describing word is a noun (like On jest lekarzem - He is a doctor). When you describe the subject with just an adjective on its own, like dobra (good), it stays in the basic nominative case to match the subject.

Question 3

Could I say To jest bardzo dobra szynka instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes! To jest bardzo dobra szynka translates to "This is a very good ham," whereas our sentence is "This ham is very good." The meaning is basically the same, and both are completely natural ways to express it.

Question 4

What kind of word is bardzo? Does it change its ending to match the noun?

Accepted Answer

Bardzo (very) is an adverb, which means it describes the adjective dobra rather than the ham itself. Because it is an adverb, its form is completely frozen and it never changes its ending, no matter what gender, number, or case the rest of the sentence uses.

Ta szynka jest bardzo dobra.

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