Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sukinsyn | /suˈkin.sɘn/ | masculine |
| skurwiel | /ˈskur.vjɛl/ | masculine, vulgar |
| skurwysyn | /skurˈvɘ.sɘn/ | masculine, vulgar |
| sukinkot | /suˈkiŋ.kɔt/ | masculine |
| skurczybyk | /skurˈt͡ʂɘ.bɘk/ | masculine |
| gad | /ˈɡat/ | masculine |
| gnida | /ˈɡɲi.da/ | feminine |
| świnia | /ˈɕfi.ɲa/ | feminine |
| cham | /ˈxam/ | feminine |
| szuja | /ˈʂu.ja/ | feminine |
| śmieć | /ˈɕmjɛt͡ɕ/ | masculine |
| bydlę | /ˈbɘ.dlɛ/ /ˈbɘ.dlɛw̃/ |
neuter |
| bydlak | /ˈbɘ.dlak/ | masculine |
| nędznik | /ˈnɛnd͡z.ɲik/ | masculine |
| szmaciarz | /ˈʂma.t͡ɕaʂ/ | masculine |
| szmata | /ˈʂma.ta/ | feminine |
| wypierdek | /vɘˈpjɛr.dɛk/ | masculine, vulgar |
| padalec | /paˈda.lɛt͡s/ | masculine |
| skurkowaniec | /skur.kɔˈva.ɲɛt͡s/ | masculine |
These terms are used to describe a contemptible person.
Which one should you use?
While sukinsyn focuses on a person's contemptible character or origin, świnia is used to describe someone who behaves in a dirty, dishonest or morally low way. The term skurwiel is a highly vulgar term and is much more offensive than the standard sukinsyn.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Skurwiel, skurwysyn and wypierdek are vulgar. szuja, śmieć and bydlak are colloquial. Skurkowaniec is a dated colloquial term. Gnida, szuja and szmaciarz are derogatory.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term bydlę is neuter, meaning it does not change based on the gender of the person being insulted, unlike the masculine bydlak. Most other terms are gendered: sukinsyn, skurwiel, skurwysyn, sukinkot, skurczybyk, gad, śmieć, bydlak, nędznik, szmaciarz, wypierdek, padalec and skurkowaniec are masculine. gnida, świnia, cham, szuja and szmata are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/suˈkin.sɘn/
Did you know?
- The word skurwiel was originally created as a euphemism to avoid saying the more explicit skurwysyn.
- The term cham originally referred to a person from a rural area, but it evolved into a sharp insult for someone who is rude or lacks manners.
- The term padalec comes from the word for a scavenger, such as a vulture, implying the person is someone who feeds on the misfortunes of others.
Examples in context
- Ten sukinsyn mnie oszukał.That bastard cheated me.
Example conversation
Tomasz tells Katarzyna about a dishonest coworker.
- TomaszMój szef zabrał mi premię.My boss took my bonus.
- KatarzynaTo straszne! Dlaczego to zrobił?That's terrible! Why did he do that?
- TomaszBo jest egoistą. Ten sukinsyn mnie nienawidzi.Because he's an egoist. That bastard hates me.
- KatarzynaMusisz znaleźć nową pracę, Tomaszu.You need to find a new job, Tomasz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bastard” translations and entries sukinsyn, skurwiel, skurwysyn, sukinkot, skurczybyk, gad, gnida, świnia, cham, szuja, śmieć, bydlę, bydlak, nędznik, szmaciarz, szmata, wypierdek, padalec, skurkowaniec, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries skurwiel, skurwysyn, sukinkot, sukinsyn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
