"Ryba to zwierzę."

Translation: A fish is an animal.

[kpagcha]

What is the difference between "Ryba jest zwierzę" and "Ryba to zwierzę"?

[Viersch]

If you choose the option "jest", you have to decline the word "zwierzę", so it would be: Ryba jest zwierzęciem (instrumental case). If you choose the option "to", you have to use nominative. Consequently, the sentence "Ryba jest zwierzę" is incorrect. You can choose both options.

[Dimker]

How do people use these options in common speaking? i.e. which way is more formal? what should I use when I approach random Polish people?

[Viersch]

Jest is definitely more formal 'cause it sounds more natural. "Ryba to zwierzę" means something like "Ryba = zwierzę" so it's more concrete but simpler.

[kpagcha]

And is there any difference in the meaning at all?

[Viersch]

No. However, "jest" sounds more elegant, if you know what I mean. :)

[kpagcha]

Yes, I think I get you ;) Thanks

[fibonacci2040]

Interesting that the "to" is not from a verb at all seemingly?

[JackHolmes3]

Shouldn't - "fish is an animal" be accepted?

[Jellei]

The sentence still needs an article before "fish". Unless you wanted to treat 'fish' as meat... but that seems rather strange here.

[jumbo420]

Well "Horse is an animal" was accepted here.

[Jellei]

Hmmm, true. Must be a mistake, removed now. Thanks for reporting.

[Pam833405]

But what if it is a name? Like in a children's story- "This is Fish. Fish is an animal. He likes to swim and swim." Granted, it's not common, but logical.

[lucaszchu]

Sometimes i see a noun followed by 'to jest', like 'ryba to jest zwierzę'.
Is this acceptable?

[Jellei]

It's a lot less common, but acceptable. It works here.

[James67551]

What is the difference between zwierzę and zwierzęciem? And what point they can be used in a sentence?

[Jellei]

"zwierzę" is Nominative, the basic form of the noun. It's mostly used for the subject of the sentence, but also in a sentence like here, "Ryba to zwierzę".

"zwierzęciem" is Instrumental. It's mostly used after the preposition "z" = "with", and it is also a valid alternative translation here: "Ryba jest zwierzęciem".