What does it mean word for word?
piękna means beautiful and dziewczyna means girl. The adjective comes before the noun, just as in English.
Which one should you use?
ładna dziewczyna means pretty girl and is a common, more casual alternative. Śliczna dziewczyna, gorgeous girl, is a popular compliment in casual settings. Piękna laska, beautiful chick, is playful slang used only among peers and close friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both words change with the case. When the girl is the subject, say piękna dziewczyna. When she is the direct object of a verb such as widzę (I see), it becomes piękną dziewczynę. After to be, it takes the instrumental case, as in Ona jest piękną dziewczyną.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /ˈpjɛŋk.na dʑɛfˈtʂɘ.na/. In dziewczyna the stress falls on the second to last syllable, as in most Polish words.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not keep the subject form after jest. Say Ona jest piękną dziewczyną with the instrumental endings.
Did you know?
- The slang term laska, used in piękna laska, literally translates to 'cane' or 'stick'.
- While piękna dziewczyna is respectful, the word dziewka has evolved in modern Polish to become a highly offensive term for a prostitute. Using the root incorrectly can change a compliment into a vulgarity.
- The word dziewczyna shares a deep linguistic lineage with the word dziewica, which means 'virgin'.
Examples in context
- Przepraszam, ale muszę powiedzieć, że jest pani bardzo piękna.Excuse me, but I have to say that you are very beautiful.
- Wow, ale ty jesteś śliczna dziewczyna!Wow, you're such a gorgeous girl!
- Ta piękna dziewczyna ma niebieskie oczy.That beautiful girl has blue eyes.
- Moja siostra to piękna dziewczyna.My sister is a beautiful girl.
Example conversation
Krzysztof and Anna are looking at a photo in a magazine.
- KrzysztofSpójrz, to jest piękna dziewczyna.Look, she is a beautiful girl.
- AnnaTak, ma bardzo ładny uśmiech.Yes, she has a very lovely smile.
- KrzysztofCzy ona jest modelką?Is she a model?
- AnnaChyba tak, wygląda profesjonalnie.I think so, she looks professional.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (piękna, dziewczyna) and can differ in connected speech.
