ptak
/ˈptak/animate, masculine
The Polish word for bird is ptak.
The word ptak refers to a bird as an animal.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is ptaki. Use the genitive plural form ptaków when referring to many birds, such as in the phrase 'a lot of birds'. When the bird is the direct object of a verb, such as in 'I see a bird', use the form ptaka.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈptak/
Did you know?
- Polish has a specific expression ptasie mleczko, meaning 'bird's milk', which is actually the name of a famous traditional soft coconut confectionery.
- In Polish folklore and idioms, certain ptaki like the stork are seen as heralds of new babies, making the bird a symbol of fertility and family.
- The phrase ptasie radio or 'bird radio' refers to the way news and gossip spread quickly among people in a community.
Examples in context
- Gęś to ptak wodny.A goose is a water bird.The first sentence is useful for identifying a goose as a ptak.Tatoeba #10469418 by Shounen, translation #63700 by Zifre
- Ten ptak umie latać.This bird can fly.The second sentence shows a bird using the form ptak to describe its ability to fly.Tatoeba #2183377 by Martka, translation #1690021 by Spamster
- Ten ptak to pliszka.This bird is a wagtail.The third sentence is useful for identifying a wagtail as a ptak.Tatoeba #3502668 by jeedrek, translation #694792 by samueldora
- Widziałem ptakaI saw a bird
- Spójrz, ptaszek!Look, a bird!
- Nie widziałem ptakaI didn't see a bird
- Kocham ptakiI love birds
- Słyszysz śpiew ptaka?Can you hear the bird singing?
- Ptaki są pięknymi stworzeniamiBirds are beautiful creatures
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tomasz and Agnieszka are looking out the window.
- TomaszZobacz, jaki piękny ptak siedzi na drzewie!Look, what a beautiful bird is sitting in the tree!
- AgnieszkaTo chyba jest mały wróbel.I think it's a little sparrow.
- TomaszTen ptak ma bardzo jasny dziób.This bird has a very light beak.
- AgnieszkaMasz rację, Tomasz.You are right, Tomasz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bird” translations and entries ptak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
