ten / ta / to

This: Ten, Ta, To

Level 1

Ten (masculine), ta (feminine), and to (neuter) are the Polish words for 'this'. They change based on the gender and case of the noun they describe.

How It Works

The demonstrative ten is a fundamental building block of Polish. It serves two main roles:

1. As an Adjective: It comes before a noun to specify which one you mean. It must match the noun in gender and number:

Ten + Masculine Singular (e.g., ten dom)
Ta + Feminine Singular (e.g., ta kawa)
To + Neuter Singular (e.g., to okno)
Ci + Masculine-Personal Plural (e.g., ci panowie)
Te + Non-Masculine-Personal Plural (e.g., te kobiety, te domy)

2. As a Pronoun: It can stand alone to mean 'this one'. It must match the gender of the noun it replaces (e.g., Ta jest moja if referring to a book/książka). For abstract ideas or unknown objects, the neuter To is the standard choice.

Case Agreement:
Because Polish uses a case system, these words change their endings. In the Accusative case:

Feminine ta becomes tę (e.g., Lubię tę książkę).
Masculine animate (people/animals) ten becomes tego (e.g., Widzę tego psa).
Masculine inanimate remains ten (e.g., Kupuję ten dom).

The 'To jest' Exception:
When you say 'This is...', the word to acts as a fixed particle. In this specific structure, it does not change gender. You say To jest pies (This is a dog) even though 'pies' is masculine. See Identity Sentences for more.

Examples (6)

Ten mężczyzna jest moim bratem.
This man is my brother.
Word by Word: This man is my brother.
Uses 'ten' because 'mężczyzna' (man) is masculine singular.
Ta herbata jest bardzo gorąca.
This tea is very hot.
Word by Word: This tea is very hot.
Uses 'ta' because 'herbata' (tea) is feminine singular.
To miasto jest bardzo stare.
This city is very old.
Word by Word: This city is very old.
Uses 'to' because 'miasto' (city) is neuter singular.
Widzę tego psa.
I see this dog.
Word by Word: I see this dog.
In the accusative case, 'ten' becomes 'tego' for masculine animate nouns like 'pies'.
Te książki są nowe.
These books are new.
Word by Word: These books are new.
Uses 'te' for the non-masculine personal plural (books).
Ci panowie są tutaj.
These gentlemen are here.
Word by Word: These gentlemen are here.
Uses 'ci' for the masculine-personal plural (men).

Common Mistakes

Using 'to' where 'ten' (this) is needed before a noun.
Different Meaningto pies
ten pies
'To pies' is a good sentence meaning 'This is a dog' or 'It is a dog'. When 'this' describes a noun, as in 'this dog', it must agree with the noun's gender: 'ten pies'.
Using 'ten' for masculine animals or people in the accusative case.
Mam ten psa.
Mam tego psa.
For masculine animate nouns (people and animals), 'ten' changes to 'tego' in the accusative case.
Using 'te' for groups of men.
te studenci
ci studenci
Polish distinguishes between masculine-personal plural ('ci') and all other plurals ('te').

How It Connects

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ten / ta / toLevel 1This: Ten, Ta, To

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Adjective Agreement
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Level 1

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