"Dlaczego jesteś smutna?"

Translation: Why are you sad?

[jmargarit]

Does 'smutna' change based on the gender of the person you're speaking to?

[ZelvaCZ]

Yes - mezczyzna jest smutny, kobieta jest smutna, dziecko jest smutne.
(please excuse me for the missing accents)

[edB4zK]

I understand that "a sad child" would be "smutne dziecko", but if you were asking this question to a child would you use smutny/smutna?

[Jellei]

You'd use the child's gender. If you were not sure about it, then you have a problem ;) 'smutne' is an option, I guess, but even a child could consider it weird.

[edB4zK]

Thanks Marek, that's what I thought :)

[DanHallswo]

Thanks

[Magdolna6]

Czemu jesteś smutna? Can it be correct? What is the difference between czemu and dlaczego?

[Jellei]

It's perfectly fine, it's an accepted answer.

There isn't any real difference, really. But some people can consider 'czemu' a bit worse, a bit colloquial version, claiming that it's a Russicism.

[Magdolna6]

Dziękuję :)

[Galois33]

Why do we not use the instrumental form of smutny here following jesteś?

[Jellei]

Noun phrases need Instrumental, but standalone adjectives just take Nominative. Compare "Dlaczego jesteś smutną kobietą?" and "Dlaczego jesteś smutna?".

[Galois33]

Thank-you for your explanstion.