Questions & Answers about Skąd oni są?
Why do we use 'Skąd' instead of 'Gdzie' if we are asking 'Where'?
In English, we ask 'Where... from?'. In Polish, skąd means 'from where' all in one word. You use gdzie when asking about a static location, but skąd when asking about an origin or starting point.
Why is it 'oni' and not 'one'?
Polish has two words for 'they'. Oni is used for groups that include at least one male person. If the group was entirely female, children, or animals, you would use one. This Polish sentence specifically implies at least one male is in the group.
Do I have to include the pronoun oni, or can I just ask Skąd są?
You can drop the pronoun and just ask Skąd są? if it is already obvious who you are talking about. The verb są already means 'they are'. Including oni just makes it completely clear who you mean.
Could I change the word order to Skąd są oni?
It is technically correct, but Polish pronouns like oni usually do not go at the very end of a short sentence unless you want to heavily emphasize them, as in 'Where are THEY from?'. Skąd oni są? sounds much more natural.
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