"What is your question?"

Translation:Jakie jest twoje pytanie?

December 27, 2015

11 Comments
This discussion is locked.


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/IE99

Both Co jest twoim pytaniem and Jakie jest twoje pytanie are possible answers. Can anyone offer an explanation to this? I thought instrumental is always used for a noun following the verb "to be." Also, and I'm sure this is related, what is the difference between co and jakie? Thanks!


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Yola448704

The sentence "Co jest twoim pytaniem?" does not make any sense. The sentence "What is your question?" asks for the content of the question.
It does not ask for the quality of the question (good or bad). It does not
ask for the definition which would require the instrumental case with
the verb "to be":

To identify/indicate the subject: What is IT? - Co TO jest? TO jest pytanie Question about the definition: What IS it? - Czym to JEST? (Co to JEST?)

What IS your sentence? (Define your sentence) - Czym JEST twoje zdanie?
Your sentence IS a question - Twoje zdanie JEST pytaniem (instrumental)

It is probably better to treat this translation as an idiomatic expression:
What is your question? - Jakie masz pytanie?/ Jakie macie pytanie?

Translation "Jakie jest twoje pytanie?" may invite an unexpected answer:
Twoje pytanie jest... dobre/złe/głupie - Your question is good/bad/stupid


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/idanlipin

Would "Co to jest twoje pytanie" work here?


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Jellei

No. It's kinda like asking: What is "your question"?


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/der_Rabe

This is something I can relate to. "co to jest?" - "to jest pytanie." (sorry for bad grammar. :-)


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/toplexil

Hi! quick question: why is the singular "Jaka jest twoja pytania" wrong ?


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/alik1989

Pytanie is a neuter noun, so it must be jakie and twoje.


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/toplexil

indeed, sorry I got completely confused..


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Jellei

And "pytanie" ;) Don't worry, it happens.


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/KeithAllan5

What about Jakie masz pytanie?


https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Jellei

That is also correct and accepted.

Learn Polish in just 5 minutes a day. For free.