jest / są

Existence with Jest and Są

Level 2

Polish uses the verb być (to be) to express 'there is' or 'there are'. Use jest for one thing and są for multiple things. When you want to say something is not there, use the special form nie ma.

How It Works

The existential construction is used to introduce new information or state the availability of something.

1. Affirmative Sentences
In the affirmative, the verb agrees with the subject in number:

2. Word Order
While Polish word order is flexible, existential sentences usually start with the location to set the scene: W lodówce jest mleko (In the fridge [there] is milk).

3. The Negative 'Nie ma'
When you deny existence ('there is no...'), both jest and są are replaced by the 'frozen' form nie ma, and the subject must switch to the Genitive case. This 'frozen' pattern remains consistent across tenses: nie było (past) and nie będzie (future) also require the Genitive.

4. Quantifiers and Numbers
Agreement depends on the number:

  • Numbers 2, 3, and 4 use są + Nominative Plural (e.g., Są trzy osoby - There are three people).
  • Numbers 5 and up, or quantifiers like dużo (many), use the singular jest + Genitive Plural (e.g., Jest pięć osób - There are five people).

Examples (5)

  1. W lodówce jest masło.

    There is butter in the fridge.

    Word by Word: In fridge is butter.

    A standard existential sentence. The location comes first, followed by 'jest' and the singular subject in the nominative.

  2. Na stole są klucze.

    There are keys on the table.

    Word by Word: On table are keys.

    Since 'klucze' (keys) is plural, we use 'są'.

  3. Czy jest chleb?

    Is there bread? / Is bread available?

    Word by Word: Whether is bread?

    This is the standard way to ask if an item is available in a shop or at home.

  4. W tym sklepie nie ma biletów.

    There are no tickets in this shop.

    Word by Word: In this shop not has tickets.

    Notice that 'nie ma' is used for the plural 'tickets', and 'bilety' changes to the genitive 'biletów'.

  5. Jest dużo ludzi w parku.

    There are many people in the park.

    Word by Word: Is much people in park.

    When using 'dużo' (many), the verb stays as 'jest' (singular) and the noun 'ludzie' becomes genitive 'ludzi'.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'tam' when you only mean that a problem exists.

    Different MeaningTam jest problem.
    Jest problem.

    'Tam jest problem' is correct, but 'tam' means 'there, in that place': a problem over there. To say only that a problem exists, with no place, use 'Jest problem.'

  • Using 'nie jest' or 'nie są' to express non-existence.

    Nie jest mleko w lodówce.
    Nie ma mleka w lodówce.

    To say something isn't there, you must use 'nie ma' followed by the genitive case.

  • Using the nominative case after 'nie ma'.

    Nie ma chleb.
    Nie ma chleba.

    The construction 'nie ma' always requires the genitive case for the object that is missing.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

jest / sąLevel 2Existence with Jest and Są

Learn This First

Learn The Verb Być before Existence With Jest And Są.

Words in This Pattern