Meaning
A vehicle with a high price.
Cultural Background
Owning an expensive car is often a major life goal for young Polish men, seen as a sign of 'zaradność' (resourcefulness). Poles often import 'drogie auta' from Germany because they are perceived to be better maintained. In the Polish-American community (Polonia), having a 'drogie auto' is a common way to signal success back to relatives in Poland. In cities like Warsaw, 'drogie auta' are often seen in 'szpanerski' (showy) districts like Wilanów.
Gender Match
Always remember: Auto is neuter. If you use 'samochód', use 'drogi'.
False Friend
Don't confuse 'droga' (road) with 'drogie' (expensive).
Meaning
A vehicle with a high price.
Gender Match
Always remember: Auto is neuter. If you use 'samochód', use 'drogi'.
False Friend
Don't confuse 'droga' (road) with 'drogie' (expensive).
Slang Alert
If you want to sound like a local, call a cool expensive car a 'fura'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'drogi'.
To jest ______ auto.
'Auto' is neuter, so the adjective must be 'drogie'.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural-sounding sentence.
Only 'drogie' matches the neuter gender of 'auto'.
Match the Polish phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These are basic adjective-noun pairings for transportation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy to auto jest tanie? B: Nie, to jest bardzo ______ ______.
The speaker is repeating the noun 'auto' from the question, so the answer should match.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Cars in Polish
Price
- • drogie auto
- • tanie auto
- • przeciętne auto
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTo jest ______ auto.
'Auto' is neuter, so the adjective must be 'drogie'.
Select the natural-sounding sentence.
Only 'drogie' matches the neuter gender of 'auto'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are basic adjective-noun pairings for transportation.
A: Czy to auto jest tanie? B: Nie, to jest bardzo ______ ______.
The speaker is repeating the noun 'auto' from the question, so the answer should match.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn spoken Polish, 'auto' is much more common because it's shorter. 'Samochód' is used in writing and formal speech.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. 'Auto' is neuter, so it must be 'drogie'.
Yes, when referring to objects. When referring to people, it means 'dear'.
You say 'bardzo drogie auto'.
The plural is 'drogie auta'.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or at a car dealership.
Yes, 'kosztowne auto' is a bit more formal but means the same thing.
Because 'auto' is a neuter noun, and '-e' is the standard nominative ending for neuter adjectives.
No, it's just very informal slang for a car.
You say 'To auto jest za drogie'.
Related Phrases
tanie auto
contrastA cheap car
szybkie auto
similarA fast car
luksusowy samochód
synonymA luxury car
używane auto
specialized formA used car
