"What is your question?"

Translation: Jakie jest twoje pytanie?

[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!

[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

[idanlipin]

Would "Co to jest twoje pytanie" work here?

[Jellei]

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

[der_Rabe]

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

[toplexil]

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

[alik1989]

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

[toplexil]

indeed, sorry I got completely confused..

[Jellei]

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

[KeithAllan5]

What about Jakie masz pytanie?

[Jellei]

That is also correct and accepted.