polski · A1 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Weather
Use impersonal jest, pada, wieje, and świeci for different conditions.
Understand the choice
Polish separates temperature adverbs from ordinary adjective descriptions. Jest zimno describes conditions; zimny describes a masculine noun. Precipitation and wind use their own verbs.
Core rule: Weather uses impersonal jest + adverb, pada deszcz/śnieg, wieje wiatr, or a noun subject such as słońce.
Notice it in context
Dzisiaj jest zimno, ale jutro będzie świecić słońce.
Today it is cold, but tomorrow the sun will shine.
Jest zimno is impersonal; słońce is nominative subject of będzie świecić.
Pada deszcz i wieje silny wiatr.
It is raining and a strong wind is blowing.
Deszcz and wiatr appear with their weather verbs.
Na niebie są ciemne chmury i jest pochmurno.
There are dark clouds in the sky and it is cloudy.
Chmury are noun subject; pochmurno is impersonal adverb.
What to remember
- Ciepły dzień is a warm day; jest ciepło means it is warm.
- Pogoda means weather; klimat long-term climate.
Common trap: Do not say pogoda jest zimna for neutral “it is cold.” Use jest zimno.