łysy
/ˈwɘ.sɘ/
The English word "bald" is translated into Polish as łysy.
The adjective łysy is used to describe someone having little or no hair. For a more formal and descriptive tone, you can use the phrase pozbawiony włosów, which literally means "deprived of hair." If you want to use a humorous or playful informal expression to describe someone who is completely bald, you can say łysy jak kolano (bald as a knee) or łysy jak łokieć (bald as an elbow).
Meaning: having little or no hair (adj)
Which one should you use?
The adjective łysy describes the state of being bald, whereas the word wyłysiały describes the process of having gone bald or the state of being significantly balding. If you are referring to a specific patch of baldness on the head rather than a person, use the noun łysina (bald spot).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its form depending on the gender and number of the subject. Use łysa when describing a female subject and łyse when describing a neuter noun. When referring to a group of bald people in the genitive or accusative case, use the form łysych. The related verb łysieć means to lose hair.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈwɘ.sɘ/. It has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While łysy jak kolano means 'bald as a knee', Polish also uses the expression łysy jak szczotka to mean 'bald as a brush'.
- The Polish term for a 'bald' tire is łyse opony, applying the same adjective used for human hair to rubber wheels.
- The word łysina refers specifically to a bald spot, but in a broader sense, it can also refer to a 'bald' stretch of land that lacks vegetation.
Examples in context
- Łysy to mój mąż.The bald guy is my husband.This sentence uses łysy to identify a husband.Tatoeba #9263377 by digitcrusher, translation #5131144 by honestlang
- Król Francji jest łysy.The King of France is bald.This sentence uses łysy to describe the King of France.Tatoeba #9684542 by aurchykr, translation #702475 by CN
- Chyba jutro będę zupełnie łysy.I guess that tomorrow I'll be completely bald.This sentence uses łysy to express a prediction about being bald.Tatoeba #959033 by zipangu, translation #958881 by FeuDRenais2
- On jest łysyHe is bald
- Niestety, jest pozbawiony włosówUnfortunately, he is deprived of hair
- Mój dziadek jest łysyMy grandfather is bald
- Nie martw się, jeśli będziesz łysieć – to tylko naturalny procesDon't worry if you go bald – it's just a natural process
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Krzysztof are talking about a new coworker.
- AgnieszkaKto jest naszym nowym szefem?Who is our new boss?
- KrzysztofTo ten łysy mężczyzna w okularach.It's that bald man in glasses.
- AgnieszkaWidziałam go, wygląda na bardzo miłego.I saw him, he looks very nice.
- KrzysztofTak, jest naprawdę sympatyczny.Yes, he is really sympathetic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bald” translations and entries łysy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
