kto — meaning in English: Who

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for Who

wielki

kto

potrzebować

fatum

przykra

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Polish for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native Polish speakers often use the word 'kto' when asking about someone's identity or role in various situations. For example, in a casual conversation, someone might ask, 'Kto to jest?' (Who is that?) when pointing at a friend introducing another person. In a more formal setting, such as a job interview, it might be used to inquire about a candidate's previous employers, e.g., 'Kto był twoim szefem?' (Who was your boss?).

Synonyms & nuances

'Kto' specifically refers to people, while 'co' means 'what' and is used for objects or concepts. You would choose 'kto' over 'co' when you want to target a human subject, making it crucial for direct inquiries about individuals.

Culture

The word 'kto' has its roots in Old Slavic languages, where it emerged as a pronoun to inquire about people. Interestingly, 'kto' not only serves a functional role in the language but also reflects a cultural emphasis on community and relationships in Polish society, where knowing 'who' is often just as important as knowing 'what'.

FAQ

Q.What does 'kto' mean in English?

'Kto' translates to 'who' in English, and it is commonly used to inquire about a person's identity in both spoken and written Polish.

Q.How do you use 'kto' in a sentence?

You can use 'kto' in questions like 'Kto tam jest?' (Who is there?) or 'Kto jest twoim przyjacielem?' (Who is your friend?).

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 'kto'?

A common mistake is mixing up 'kto' with 'co' when asking about people versus objects. Remember that 'kto' is exclusively for individuals.

Learn polish with Maspeak →

Polish Vocabulary